Sunday 6 March 2011

Premiata Forneria Marconi - Per Un Amico (1972)


Simply one of the all-time great Italian prog albums. While many people might be more familiar with the English-language conterpart, "Photos of Ghosts", to me, I think the original Italian language version is much superior, as they aren't stumbling with the English language, and it sounds more natural. This was their second album in one year (1972). This is a more complex and challenging album than their debut, "Storia di un Minuto". The album starts off with "Appena un Pò" (the label of the original LP states it as "Appena un Poco"). The song starts off with Mellotron and harp, before the acoustic guitar kicks in, played in a classical style. The music itself kicks in with violin and drums, then the band's early trademark vocal style starts. When you hear this, you know right away you're hearing one of Italy's all-time great prog albums. "Generale" is all instrumental, again going through many different changes. "Il Banchetto" is the album's epic, starting off acoustic, once again, with some extended synth experimentations, and even a piano piece that sounded like it came off ELP's "Karn Evil 9: Second Impression", although "Brain Salad Surgery", the album that song came off, didn't appear until a year after "Per Un Amico".

Apparently Greg LAKE got to hear this album and was impressed enough to sign these guys to ELP's newly-formed Manticore label. No doubt about it, "Per Un Amico" is one of the all-time greats of prog, and is a totally essential album.
PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI Per Un Amico music reviews and MP3 ( Review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
1. Appena un Po' (7:43)
2. Generale (4:18)
3. Per un Amico (5:23)
4. Il Banchetto (8:39)
5. Geranio (8:03)

Total Time: 34:06

Line-up / Musicians
- Franco Mussida / vocals, guitar (12 String), chitarrone, mandocello, guitar
- Franz Di Cioccio / drums, percussion, vocals
- Mauro Pagani / flute (alto), piccolo, vocals, flute, violin
- Giorgio Piazza / bass, vocal
- Flavio Premoli / spinetta, keyboards, organ (Hammond), vocals, Moog synthesizer, Mellotron, tubular bells, clavicembalo, piano




Premiata Forneria Marconi -- Appena Un Po'


PFM Per Un Amico - 04 il Banchetto


Download mp3

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