Record Reviews

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ AS IN A LAST SUPPER ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1010 (Barcode: 5013929381025) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010 Italian Prog giants Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist were the second Italian Prog band (after PFMFind albums by this artist) signed by the Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist owned ManticoreFind albums on this label label, to promote the band in UK and US. The band was formed in Rome in 1969 and changed its lineup several times before a stable equilibrium of talent was finally achieved. The founders, brothers Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist and Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, both keyboards players, were joined by vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rodolfo MalteseFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist and drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three masterpiece albums in their native country, this was their second (and sadly the last) UK release and it includes violinist Angelo BraduardiFind albums by this artist in the lineup, who was also responsible for the English language version of the lyrics. The album was released simultaneously in Italy (and with lyrics in Italian) under the title "Come In Un`Ultima CenaFind albums with this title" and in UK under this title. This is a concept album with the "Last Supper" as it center theme, which raised a certain level of controversy at the time. This is classic stuff, well known to most serious Prog fans, so there is no need to say much more, except for the fact that this album is often considered as the band´s best work. The English accent, often ridiculed by some of the less polite critics, has a charm in itself for me. A classic!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ BANCO ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1009 (Barcode: 5013929380929) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2010 Italian Prog giants Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist were the second Italian Prog band (after PFMFind albums by this artist) signed by the Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist owned ManticoreFind albums on this label label, to promote the band in UK and US. The band was formed in Rome in 1969 and changed its lineup several times before a stable equilibrium of talent was finally achieved. The founders, brothers Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist and Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, both keyboards players, were joined by vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rodolfo MalteseFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist and drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three masterpiece albums in their native country, this was their UK debut. It contains three new compositions and the rest of the material consists of re-makes of material from their earlier albums with English lyrics, written by Marva Jan MarrowFind albums by this artist, who also wrote English lyrics for PFM albums. This is classic stuff, well known to most serious Prog fans, so there is no need to say much more, except for the fact that this album is often mistakes as a "best of" compilation, which it is not by any standard. The English accent is also often ridiculed by some of the less polite critics, which is true in some respect, but has a charm in itself for me. A classic!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ IO SONO NATO LIBERO (LEGACY EDITION) SONY 889854682224 (Barcode: 889854682224) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 2017 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the third album by the iconic Italian Prog group Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist, which closed the legendary early album trilogy the group recorded, which includes also the eponymous debut and the album "Darwin!Find albums with this title" and which defines the illustrious origins of the Italian Prog movement together with the early recordings by PFMFind albums by this artist and Le OrmeFind albums by this artist. At the time the album was recorded (1973) the group´s lineup included the founders / keyboardists brothers Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist and Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcello TodaroFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist, drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist and charismatic vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist. The album presents only five tracks, including the epic over fifteen minutes long opening track, with all music by Vittorio Nocenzi except one track by Gianni Nocenzi and lyrics by Francesco Di Giacomo and Vittorio Nocenzi. This Legacy Edition is lavishly packaged in a digibook format and includes a booklet with in depth essay and the lyrics (sadly only) in Italian and splendid photographs, as well as a bonus CD, which is described below. Over the years countless reviews of the album were written and published, so there is no point in repeating the obvious praises. It is however important to remember that this music defined the Prog idiom, and took it to its zenith, which as I have repeatedly stated, stays firmly at its place and the Prog genre over the years didn´t manage to go above or beyond it, which perhaps is more of a blessing than a criticism. It is also important to remember that the individuals behind Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso were always socially / politically aware persons and their lyrics touched upon raw nerves more often than not. More on this subject below… The real surprise of this reissue is the included bonus CD, which presents a new and unreleased album recorded in 2017 by the current lineup of the band. Fronted by the original founding member, keyboardist / composer Vittorio Nocenzi, the band also includes lead guitarist Filippo MarcheggianiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Nicola Di GiàFind albums by this artist, bassist Marco CapoziFind albums by this artist, drummer Fabio MorescoFind albums by this artist and lead vocalist Tony D`AlessioFind albums by this artist. The album entitled "La Libertà DifficileFind albums with this title" (Difficult Freedom) presents five tracks, four of which were composed by Vittorio Nocenzi and one was co-composed by Vittorio Nocenzi and his son Michelangelo NocenziFind albums by this artist. It also includes a recorded interview with Vittorio Nocenzi. As the album´s title suggests the subject matter is a reflection upon the issues touched upon in "Io Sono Nato LiberoFind albums with this title" from a forty four years perspective and asks difficult questions like "Che Libertà?" (What Freedom?) and makes somber statements like "…Che Non Si Ferma Mai" (…That Never Sops), which of course reflect the contemporary social / political situation as seen by many people today. The music on the "La Libertà Difficile" album is a wonderful reflection of the classic sound and style of the Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso heyday period. The same approach to melody, harmony and instrumentation appears here, with only slightly updated sound and production techniques, but faithfully preserving the overall retro ambience. The philosophical concept subject matter also returns, adding an intellectual dimension to the entire project. It is a splendid forerunner to the wonderful "TransiberianaFind albums with this title" album recorded by the same lineup two years later. Overall this is a superb package, even for people who already have a copy of the "Io Sono Nato Libero" album, as the bonus "La Libertà Difficile" album and the packaging are absolutely worth having. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 18/05/2019Posted: 18/05/2019

CD 2 Digibook Recommend To A Friend