antoniodeste

Hey, guys, everything’s fine but let’s not get too heated. Everything has an end, and while it's true that the punk wave (also fueled by the showbiz industry) accelerated the decline of so-called prog, it is also true, as Björk writes, that the brightest phase of art-rock creativity was quickly fading. I would also like to avoid reading about "superior" and "inferior" genres, or at least being treated in a good-bad way. It’s just a matter of form, perhaps suggesting a dangerously biased position.

bjork: don't despair; sylvian's statements would be worth "checking"; in any case, regardless of that, I would hope that it's certainly not a critic's opinion that diminishes your emotions for this music.

Yes, all right Manticore, I understand the spirit behind your intervention; however, to adopt the perspective of those who define the goodness of a composition based on the ability or difficulty of performing it, in my opinion, is quite debatable. A composition has its own reason for being (and for pleasing) regardless of whether you are able to interpret its score. You probably play, and so do I (though now very little..), and I understand that as musicians we tend to praise particularly challenging scores precisely because they present a challenge (also technical) to our abilities. But if someone listening to "2nd impression" isn't particularly moved by it (and is not a musician), I can't put them on trial or mock them. I simply feel sorry for them that they can't grasp what there is to grasp, and at most I will think to myself, "poor thing!" Best wishes, Manticore.

@Pibroch: Almost-Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!!

I almost entirely agree with what Manticore 1962 stated, although I believe that the Emerson/Wakeman feud should really be put to rest. Since I was 13, the fans of both have been arguing over the "record" and now the story resurfaces periodically (like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). As for the rest, I agree: even on the undeniable monumentality of this triple live album. Maybe it’s just a bit scattered...

"Square, beautiful square..... a crazy hare passed by...."; I wouldn't have thought that a review of Lolli's "zingari felici" would attract such a dense swarm of commentators. I read all the comments, but there were few positions. One argument is that if there’s an intention tied to "political belonging" in a purposeful way, even the best work falls short. There are those who respond, then, that for a similar reason we should doubt the goodness and coherence of Wyatt for his political beliefs; and it is evident that this is not possible. At least for me, who considers "zingari felici" one of the happiest works in all of our singer-songwriter tradition. The intensity, the sense of the real and the unreal, the poetry, the balance, the musicality of Lolli (whom I saw perform this album live in '76, I believe) stand as some of the most mature and complete forms of singer-songwriter expression of all time. I go so far as to say that Lolli's lyrics could easily be considered in high school curricula (just as Fossati's could, for that matter). Thanks to Pier_Paolo_farina for this unexpected revisitation.

Non hai fornito un testo da tradurre. Per favore, inviami il testo in italiano e sarò felice di aiutarti con la traduzione.

I can boast (like a true show-off) that I followed the career of Focus in real-time. And it was indeed a beautiful career, as long as it lasted. Now, for the last two or three years, they have "reunited" (Van Leer is unrecognizable) and Pierre Van Der Linden is back on drums. What can I say? I was almost crazy for them; and in Italy, there were many like me. "Hocus Pocus" was played on the radio just like Ramazzotti, and "House Of The King" was actually the theme of a morning radio show ("Voi Ed Io"). When "Moving Waves" came out, just listening to the twenty-minute suite "Eruption" was enough to understand how high the Dutch band was flying. But they reached the peak with "Three." This double album condenses the essence of their spirit. Even "Anonymous II" or "Question? Answers..." marked them at the time as true outsiders. Then, after "Live At The Rainbow," the slow decline began, but that's another story. "In And Out" is essentially an album of explorations and identity searching. Manalishi has vaguely hinted at this; there are enjoyable tracks and interesting paths. The instrumental skill of the group shines through, and the style isn't completely "Anglo-Saxon," but, as mentioned, the best would manifest later on. One note to Manalishi: I can't disagree with you when you talk about Jan Akkerman as the best guitarist that the Netherlands have produced, but I would say Philip Catherine is no less. He was, by the way, one of their guitarists for a short period. One last note, since Manalishi didn't mention it: there are several DVDs circulating of the Dutch group and almost all are worth watching. In particular, I recommend those from the "golden" period with the lineup VanLeer/Akkerman/Van Der Linden "Ruiter (1973-1976). Well done Manalishi for rediscovering this extraordinary (and forgotten) band. @Beatboy: someone like you absolutely MUST listen to them! Get moving! :) @Roby86: for you too, I really hope you have the subsequent albums; if not, you absolutely must get them. Bye.

So: that this album is universally known as "Introspection" is fairly well known. Whether it is to be promoted as "same" ("medesimo") I do not know. This is, however, a matter of secondary importance. In fact, beyond the more than generous American consideration, this work moved quite freely and convincingly between the poles of tradition and avant-garde, passing through eventual intermediate steps. And I must say the experiment was successful, from a personal standpoint; however, it lasted a short time; already in the subsequent work, the balances (which were not simple) had changed. I must say I am particularly attached to this work for personal reasons. A couple of years ago, I had the fortune to attend a complete live revisitation of this work in my city and to joyfully embrace Donella at the end of the concert. It was truly a beautiful emotion, especially after thirty years. For enthusiasts, I will say that the release of a new chapter of Opus Avantra with Del Monaco seems imminent. Mystery surrounds the release date.

@Vincolla: sorry, but you're mistaken; "Islands" is the fourth album: it came out after "Lizard" and before the horrible "Earthbound". Does that make sense? :)