Show Date: Tue. October 5, 1999
Show #51
Italy - volume 12



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Playlist:
# Artist Song (click to play) Album Year CD label
1 Murple (some part of the first side) Io Sono Murple 1974 Mellow Records
A decent Italian prog album that consists of 2 side long suites. I can hear some PFM influence and also Camel briefly at the end of side 1. This is a good addition to a mature Italian prog collection, but, not a necessary item at the beginning.
 
2 Alan Sorrenti Vorrei Incontrarti Aria 1972 Si-Wan
Totally whigged out vocals with interesting musical back-drop. The song here is the most reserved piece on the album. The music is mostly acoustic, intricate and very dynamic. The album also features Jean-Luc Ponty on violin. This is truly a vocal album as they are ever present. Which, in this case, is fine by me. The music and vocals are perfectly intwined. The music almost seems to be an extension of the vocals, emphasizing their dramatic changes. Truly original. I have heard that _Come un Vecchio in Incensiere All'alba di un Villaggio Deserto_ is also an excellent album, but, both of these Sorrenti albums are hard to come by, these days.
 
3 I Nomadi Un Giorno Insieme Un Giorno Insieme 1973 Si-Wan
Mellow folky art-rock that is only mildly progressive. I am reminded of the more mellow songs of Procol Harum where the vocal melody plays the important part of the song. IMO, it OK, but, has nothing that compels me to go back and listen to it often. Perhaps, when I am much older (about 80), and I need something to listen to that won't get my heart racing. Well, maybe it is good as one of those albums to drift off to sleep with?
 
4 Perigeo Nadir Abbiamo Tutti un Blues da Piangere 1973 BMG/RCA
Early prog/fusion influenced by Miles, Mahavishnu, Santana, and Canterbury. I did not find Perigeo brand of fusion too exciting, but, many other people do. I may need to hear more of their albums to get an idea of what they are about. This album has been compared to the first couple of Weather Report albums, which I have not heard.
 
5 Latte E Miele Patetica Papillon 1973 Polydor (Japan)
Latte E Miele's second classic album of classic and ELP inspired music. I like their first self-titled album slightly more.
 
6 Albergo InterGalattico Spaziale Hymalaya Albergo InterGalattico Spaziale 1978 Pick Up
Gothic, gloomy, electronic with beautiful female vocals. The concept of this album is an anti-nuclear theme. This is a captivating and meditative album. Once again, to our great misfortune, this seems to be their only releases. There is also a supposedly similar album called Telaio Magnetico with the same vocalist and keyboardist in addition to Franco Battiato. Have not heard that one, yet, but, will be tracking it down very soon!
 
7 Nova Vimana Vimana 1976 Arista (LP only)
Good prog/fusion with strong ties to Brand X. Percy Jones plays bass, and his playing style really stands out. This album is remarkably like the first 2 Brand X albums with the addition of some mediocre vocals. The guitar playing is excellent and even sounds somewhat like John Goodsall. Narada Michael Walden also plays drums on this album.
 


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