I POOH, ROMANTIC PROG ROCK

I POOH ES UNA DE LAS BANDAS ITALIANAS MÁS ANTIGUAS EN ACTIVO. FORMADOS EN 1966, CON MÁS DE 50 DISCOS A SUS ESPALDAS, GRABARON ALGUNAS OBRAS MEMORABLES EN LOS SETENTA. A DIFERENCIA DE PFM, BANCO O LE ORME, PREFIRIERON DECANTARSE POR LA VERTIENTE MÁS SENTIMENTAL Y ROMÁNTICA DEL ROCK SINFÓNICO. ESTE ÁLBUM, "UN POCO DE NUESTRO TIEMPO MEJOR", ES DIGNO DE SER ESCUCHADO DE PRINCIPIO A FIN. QUE NADIE SE LO PIERDA. SENCILLAMENTE EXQUISITO.

Well, well, well, this is probably the most beautiful Pooh's record. In fact it was the least successfull of all their 70s productions. Almost nobody remebers nowadays a single track of it. In fact no hits were then picked off it. The best thing is that the full orchestral arrangements are finally equaled by the typical sympho-rock instruments: mellotron, clavinet, minimoog, harpsichord and celesta. Warning: don't assume that the band changed their mood (I won't be responsible for such a mistake... I won't give you compensation...); the band only went further, from the starting point album Parsifal. So, what we have here is still melodic and soft sympho-prog. Don't expect surprises... after all this is not the place where exigent prog lovers' ears have to search for. I'd say that Pooh play a "home-is-where-the-heart-is" pop-rock. That's it. But now, I have to be honest with you all: the music of this band has become more serious, deep, extended. In other words: the apex of Pooh's sympho-pop with more than a simple prog touch... without a doubt. It's not a case that the album opens with the sweet notes of PRELUDIO like in every respectable classic opera. It's not a case that some expert reviewer has already pointed out some Puccini's hints in keyboardist Roby Facchinetti. Wonderful opener, by the way, powerful and sweet orchestral movement with slight crescendo and drumming in the second part. The prelude carries the listener to CREDO ("I believe"), an exciting piece that alternates strong orchestral sound (with also some absolutely good ahhhh ahhhh choruses) with a more rythmic part (mid-paced: excellent bass). Powerful vocals by Roby Facchinetti himself. Una Storia che Fa Ridere ("a story that makes laugh") is somehow a step below ... so let me jump to the fourth track: OCEANO. Wonderful. One of the highlights of the entire album. A solitary man sailing far from home, has to face (and taste) what real infinite seascapes mean... this one has a strong prog structure with orchestral shifting moods and uptempos. Harpsichord appears for the first time ever. A shady number with wonderful touches of electrig guitar here and there by Dodi Battaglia and a shocking (typically orchestral) outro... Wow!! The next one FANTASIA is a gentle melody with acoustic guitar... good but nothing spectacular... let's jump again. What follows is still another gem: MEDITERRANEO, the second and last instrumental track of the album, as the opener. Completely different though. Folk structure: acoustic guitar and mandolin plus delicate xylophone (and some low fleeting orchestral movements). Simple melody but superb delicate performance. It tastes really of mediterranean sea,oregano and small islands. Bells also in the final part. To be heard! Now it's the time of ELEONORA, MIA MADRE, the first track penned (and sung) by drummer Stefano D'Orazio. Someone described it as "a decadent melodic portait"... it certainly would have pleased big shots of the end of the XIX century ... (Oscar Wilde, fort instance). Wonderful the two parts' interchange (song and classical sad ballad...). Somehow obsessive and delicate at the very same time! The album still stands high with the track named 1966: emotional, aching ... by many considered the best one ... who can say... it features tasteful sparse moog, mellotron and wonderful guitar solos. Romantic in its essence... amazing harpsichord in the final part! ORIENT EXPRESS is a nice tune but nothing special... it remebers me of LATTE E MIELE's Passio Secundum Mattheum... but probably it remains the least interesting. Another sweet and delicate melody, though... (good enough for another romantic dinner ...). IL TEMPO, UNA DONNA, LA CITTA' ... that's the longest (over 10 mns) and proggiest track... for the nth time... it's the album's closer (as usual in most part of the Pooh's discography). An epic number, as expressive as the Parsifal song of the previous record. Less joyful, though... darker somehow... wonderful flutes emerge from the orchestral sweet chaos... and then, after over two minutes of mysterious intro... the song begins. A similar outro (other 2 minutes) closes the album after enigmatic and poetic lyrics: "the air closes to silence, then a cloud of dust is raised around us. I close my eyes, then I open them and...". What is in the middle you ask... I say a wonderful masterwork, in my humble opinion: electric, acoustic and classic guitars, flutes, moog, strings, gong... great vocals sung by three of the band's members. A simple phrase to describe the song: "iniquitous as only time can be" (as they sing in the track). Surely, a great satisfying experience. Thanks God, Pooh did it! Today I also closed my eyes, opened and ...• TEXT BY PROGARCHIVE

Just for Testing Purpose:

Listen "Un Pò del Nostro Tempo Migliore" (mp3 320) Part 1 and Part 2

Password: asusdl

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P.F.M. THE ITALIAN TREASURE

DOS ÁLBUMES IMPRESCINDIBLES SIN LOS QUE RESULTA IMPOSIBLE ENTENDER LA IMPORTANCIA DEL ROCK PROGRESIVO ITALIANO COMO APORTACIÓN DECISIVA AL GÉNERO. ELEGANTES, PRECIOSISTAS, VIRTUOSOS, ORIGINALES, SENCILLAMENTE INCOMPARABLES, PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI MERECEN INSCRIBIR SU NOMBRE EN LOS ANALES DEL PROG ROCK A LA MISMA ALTURA QUE E,L&P, KING CRIMSON, YES O GENESIS...

The pioneer of Italian Progressive groups, PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM for short) is one of the leaders of the 70s prog movement. PFM developed a style which is uniquely Italian while maintaining links with the rest of the prog world. A lyrical, romantic and delicate music, full of fineness. A great melodic and instrumental richness, somptuous compositions and arrangements. Sometimes compared with the early King Crimson, the group had its own musical personality, with its elegant music.

More information:
Página oficial de PFM • Página de PFM en All Music Guide • Comprar discos de PFM

Just for testing Purposes:
Listen "Photos of Ghost" Part One Part Two and Part Three (Flac Files - 2010 Remastered and expanded with bonus tracks) • Listen "The World Became the World" Part One Part Two and Part Three (Flac Files - 2010 Remastered and expanded with bonus tracks)

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites (AVAX HOME). ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists. • • • Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre

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IL VOLO, AN ITALIAN JEWEL

IL VOLO, UN SUPERGRUPO DE MÚSICOS DE ESTUDIO, GRABÓ ÚNICAMENTE DOS ÁLBUMES, DOS MARAVILLAS QUE NO PUEDEN FALTAR EN NINGUNA COLECCIÓN DE PROGRESIVO ITALIANO. MÁS MELÓDICOS QUE PFM, BANCO O LE ORME, PERO CON EL MISMO ESPÍRITU PRECIOSISTA Y VIRTUOSO. IMPRESCINDIBLES.

Usually described as a "supergroup", IL VOLO was a studio band formed by very popular musicians all coming from famous bands: Alberto Radius and Gabriele Lorenzi from FORMULA TRE, Mario Lavezzi from FLORA FAUNA CEMENTO and Camaleonti, Bob Callero from OSAGE TRIBE and DUELLO MADRE, Gianni Dall'Aglio from RIBELLI, along with composer Vince Tempera who also had his own band PLEASURE MACHINE. With such a pedigree it's obvious that both albums are very well played, and enjoyable but not memorable, lacking originality. An obvious similarity with FORMULA TRE is evident, along with a certain jazz-rock feel present throughout both albums, whose only distinctive element is the voice, missing on "Essere O Non Essere?" The group disbanded soon after the second release. Very good (somewhat jazz) fusion melodic symphonic with also very interesting percussion, keyboards, as nicely balanced music. The first Italian album from 1974, their music is built upon two keyboards with great vocals and lush arrangements. Close to PFM or BANCO by the vocals parts and the beauty of the themes and to E.L.P. by the instrumental virtuosity. Their second "Essere O Non Essere" is a classic item of mostly instrumental music with some theme more soft and some majesties keyboards flights a la KING CRIMSON. It's one of the easiest Italian progressive items. • Text by PROG ARCHIVES



Más información (More information):
Il Volo page • Comprar/Buy Il Volo albums

Just for Testing Purposes:
• Listen "Il Volo" (1974) Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3
(Audio: Flac files, JPN Remastered Mini Album Edition 2004)
Here the original link
• Listen "Essere o non Essere" (1975) Part 1
Here the original link

All these links belongs to other blogs and music sites. ThatWasMusic don´t host, store or upload any file. We just search the web for you. Remember that you should buy the record if you like what you hear. Support the artists. • • • Todos los links de ThatWasMusic han sido encontrados en Internet y pertenecen a otros blogs y webs de tema musical. ThatWasMusic no hospeda, almacena ni sube ficheros a la red. Simplemente busca por ti. Recuerda que debes comprar los discos originales si lo que escuchas te gusta. Apoya a los artistas siempre

Read more...