The reason: My first entry in this club had a theme: film music. For year two I chose a specific country: Sweden. I kind of like the theme concept better, but nevertheless I combined my previous ways of thinking in making the year three entry an Italy-only theme-CD.
The mix: I have dwelled upon the subject of progressive rock before (see the liner notes for the Swedish CD), and once again: some of you may have heard a bit of Yes, Genesis, King Crimson or Emerson, Lake & Palmer before – but you probably didn't know of the vast Italian prog scene that went on simultaneously. As a prog rock fan though, one eventually finds out. As a subgenre in the nerdiest of genres, I do expect some of you to not like this CD very much, perhaps even listening to it just once and then shelving it (like I did with the house and opera entries before, sorry Dan & Pants!), but hopefully someone finds El Dorado here. In that case, I recommend italianprog.com for further reading.
The plays:
1.
Premiata Forneria Marconi
"Introduzione"
(Storia di un minuto, 1972)
Marconi are small Italian biscuits and Premiata Forneria Marconi (a.k.a. P.F.M.) means "prime marconi bakery". P.F.M. is one of the best known Italian prog bands, both nationally and abroad (Greg Lake of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer is a big fan for instance). One reason for this is that they actually played for a while. Most other Italian prog bands made one or two albums before disbanding. "Introduzione" is the opening track of their debut album and as it is a quite common title for opening tracks in this genre, it seemed to fit as a starter here too.
2.
Latte e Miele
"Menestrello"
(Aquile e scoiattoli, 1976)
As all rock music, Italian prog rock turned into shit ca 1975. This track is an exception, but still might be considered the one least in tune with the others on this compilation (notably the Pink Floydish guitar solo two minutes in). "Latte e Miele" means "milk and honey", "Menestrello" is "minstrel", "Aquile e scoiattoli" is "eagles and squirrels" and the album cover is the Best Album Cover Ever.
3.
Le Orme
"Sospesi nell'incredible"
(Felona e Sorona, 1972)
Felona e Sorona by Le Orme ("the footprints") is a typical Italian prog rock album: a concept album (about the two planets Felona and Sorona) where the different tracks sit tightly together. The album was the band's biggest success, and they actually recorded an English version of it. As my Italian is not very great, I really don't know what any of these bands are singing, but I love that the title "Sospesi nell'incredible" kind of translates into "hanging in between the incredible". On the English version album, they simply called it "In between" though.
4.
Museo Rosenbach
"Della natura"
(Zarathustra, 1973)
A song from the sole album by Museo Rosenbach (before the band reunited in the 90s). With lyrics inspired by Friedrich Nietszche and Benito Mussolini pictured in the collage on the album cover, there were some accusations of the band being right-winged assholes. "Della natura" means "to nature" and works like a mini-opera in itself, with typical slow, fast, instrumental etc. segments put together. As much as I hate fascism, I love this song.
5.
Alphataurus
"La mente vola"
(Alphataurus, 1973)
Another band who made only one album but are currently reuniting (although there exists a second album release, put together from what was recorded before the band split up in the 70s). This is perhaps my favourite Italian prog tune, and thus one of my favourite songs of all time. I mean, it is a nine minute song with a three minute intro. And a title translating into "the thought flies". Loving it.
6.
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
"Il giardino del Mago"
(Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, 1972)
18 minutes worth of prog music, this is a journey into the Magician's Garden, consisting of the parts "... passo dopo passo ..." (step by step), "... chi ride e chi geme ..." (those who laugh, those who moan), "... coi capelli sciolti al vento ..." (with the hair loosened in the wind) and "Compenetrazione" (penetrating). The ridiculously long band name means "bank/desk for mutual assistance". I once wrote forty pages of a novel based on the high concept of that name.
7.
Metamorfosi
"Conclusione"
(Inferno, 1973)
Another concept album, built upon another piece of classic literature: Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. An album that got a sequel 30 years later, with Paradiso (thus, another recently reunited band). "Conclusione" is obviously as common an end track as "Introduzione".
8.
Il Balletto di Bronzo
"Epilogo"
(Ys, 1973)
... but sometimes there's an epilogue attached! Il Balletto di Bronzo made two albums, distinctly different. The first one, Sirio 2222, was released in 1970 and is kind of their "Led Zeppelin album". This is from their "Yes album". I have many times thought that someone ought to sample the bass at 2.30, speed it up and make a rap song out of it. On a personal note, Ys was the album that opened the door to the Italian prog scene for me. Hopefully it won't shut yours!
