| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Ennio Morricone | For a Few Dollars More | The Legendary Italian Westerns | 1990 | RCA |
| I have this on a compilation CD. This cut is from the original soundtrack of the Clint Eastwood film "For a Few Dollars More" - 1965. Ennio Morricone is one of the most prolific and revered composers of the century. I do not know much about his other endeavors, but, I always thought the spaghetti western soundtracks were very cool. My favorite is the theme to "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". What is remarkable to me, when listening to the CD compilation of Morricone's work from the mid 60's, is that it sounds very much like what the 70's Italian prog groups, like Banco, were doing 10-15 years later. I am sure that Morricone must have been a great influence. Definately need to seek out some more Morricone material!! Any recommendations? | |||||
| 2 | Triade | Caro Fratello | 1998: La Storia di Sabazio | 1973 | Vinyl Magic |
| ELP influenced keyboards/bass/drums trio. A commendable album for fans of Le Orme or Egg. The album is quite short, though. | |||||
| 3 | Pierrot Lunaire | Morella | Gudrun | 1975 | MP Records |
| This is a very unusual album. Operatic female vocals, and spacy music that reminds me a little bit of Archaia. Their first s/t album is completely different from this one. I found it difficult to get into this album the first few times I played it because it is so different. But, many many people rave about this album, so I have persisted. Now it is quite high in my estimation :-) There is a certain amount of humor in the music, but, that does not stop them from pulling out all stops and laying down a heavy serious groove every once in a while or playing some baroque styled classical music with folky elements. | |||||
| 4 | Hero | Children's Game | Hero | 1974 | Poor House (CDR boot) |
| Excellent, energetic guitar based prog. As the guitar oftens sounds very akin to Steve Hillage, the closest comparison is the group Khan. I also hear similarities to the Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes. Hearing this band, I would never guess that they are Italy. It sounds more like an American mid-70's prog effort. I like it alot. Unfortunately, there has not been a legitimate CD release. | |||||
| 5 | Banco | di Terra | ...di Terra | 1978 | Virgin |
| Instrumental with orchestra. There are some beautiful melodic passages on this album. It is much more subdued than the earlier Banco albums. This album reminds me of what Goblin was doing at the time. A very successful melding of a rock band and orchestra. Hmmmm, hear a little Ennio Morricone? | |||||
| 6 | I Dik Dik | Donna Paesaggio | Suite Per Una Donna Assolutamente Relativa | 1972 | Crime/King Record |
| I Dik Dik is close to Italian pop music. But, it has many good things going for it, including lush keyboards, mellotron and excellent vocals. It is a very pleasant sounding album that reminds of springtime. I could hear some similarities to Procol Harum and early Aphrodite's Child. | |||||
| 7 | Biglietto per L'Inferno | Confessione | Biglietto per L'Inferno | 1974 | Vinyl Magic |
| This album is often touted as one of the best of 70's Italian prog. But, it has not really grabbed my attention, yet. I recognize that the potential is there, though. The music is heavy and raw. I am reminded of Deep Purple, again, as well as Uriah Heep. The appeal of this album, is not in vibrant colors, but, of black and greys (ya know what I mean?). | |||||