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Introduzione to Italian Prog Rock
The always-interesting Woebot blog has a smart survey of Italian prog rock, a rarely discussed yet profoundly rich movement that flourished most brilliantly in the early ’70s. Those curious about this music should read Woebot and also consult Prog Archives, a site maintained and enriched by the genre’s true believers/obsessive aficionados. Names to research include Franco Battiato, Area, Pierrot Lunaire, Arturo Stalteri, Il Balletto di Bronzo, Picchio Dal Pozzo, Biglietto Per L’Inferno, Goblin, Osanna, Lucio Battisti, Claudio Rocchi, and, of course, Ennio Morricone.
The Italian prog rock I’ve heard (I consider myself merely a dabbler at this point) is florid, complexly structured, virtuosic, impassioned—over the top in almost every way imaginable, right down to the album cover art. Italian prog-rock groups also typically boast flamboyant vocalists who can sing their asses off. Seriously, most of these guys make Robert Plant sound like Leonard Cohen.
So if these qualities sound like your bag (and you find the Mars Volta—who surely are Balletto di Bronzo fans—have fallen off lately), scope out some Italian prog. This site also provides helpful leads. ¡Buona fortuna!
Comments
Morricone is my personal hero. Next to John Cage. And Arthur Russell. But others are creeping up behind them.
Area rules, and Demetrio Stratos' solo stuff isn't too shabby either (actually, all of Cramps Records stuff is kind of essential, especially their Nova Musicha series...Martin Davorin Jagodic in particular). Thanks for this.
Kathy,
You're my personal hero when I read Line Out. Have you heard SYR4 "Goodbye 20th Century"? I'm sure the other record apprecianados in your office can lend a copy.
R: With a few more mouse clicks (starting with the link to Prog Archives), you will find MP3s. Go crazy.
Yeah, pretty fresh, Segal. Like every other music nerd in the world, I picked up that Battiato reissue, too.
So why didn't I see that album on any charts?
Just to be clear, my mild obsession with Italian prog started in 1997, thanks to some enlightened friends (in Dallas!) turning me on to its baroque pleasures. I ain't no expert, but I sure as hell ain't a Giovanni come lately, either.
Laurie--You're my personal hero for saying so. I'll get a hold of that SYR4 straight away. And write a post dedicated to you.
Thanks for snagging Pollution before I could get to it. I went in to Wall of Sound around 3ish, and was told that you put it on hold earlier that day.
Sorry 'bout that.
They can reorder it, Steve. Patience...
I love that place. I have their # on speed dial. On a similar note, if you’re ever for some reason in Eugene, Oregon, check out Feinstein's Museum of Unfine Art. Unfortunately, Shawn Mediaclast (aka The Audio Schizophrenic) has no internet presence. However, he stocks the most amazing/diverse selection of CDs and LPs – '80s mash ups, hip hop, electro, skronk, musique concrete, avant-jazz – it’s a magical place.
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Yeah, pretty fresh, Segal. Like every other music nerd in the world, I picked up that Battiato reissue, too.
As for the link... next time, can you try to find a blogger that actually posts sound files? As much as I enjoy music, I'd rather just sit around stabbing myself in the ear than read about interesting, hard-to-find records some guy owns.