•
Rating: THE REVIEW
Driven by their leader, the wild Hendrixian guitarist Bambi Fossati, the Genoese band Gleemen changed their name to Garybaldi and shifted towards a progressive rock with hard-blues hues, which distinctly set them apart from other Italian prog bands.
Their debut album, "Nuda," from 1972, features an eye-catching cover, one of the most beautiful in Italian rock, created by the talented cartoonist Guido Crepax, who also drew the comics inside the booklet, with dialogues that reference the song lyrics.
Fossati also tries to vocally adapt to the Genius of Jimi, with results that are not very satisfactory yet passable, as in the opening rock track Maya Denuda; however, with the guitar, he is marvelous: he creates a personal hard-blues by modulating everything on incredibly Hendrixian sounds, and for this reason, all tracks deserve a listen. Overall, their music is distant from the rest of the dominant prog groups in Italy at the time, with stronger influences from hard, blues, and beat, which are particularly enjoyable in the instrumental passages.
To be honest, this is not complex music, nor is there a notable compositional vein, but the peculiarities of this album will be a welcome discovery for those looking to explore our country in a harder key.
GARYBALDI – NUDA (CGD – 1972)
Track list
1. Maya Desnuda (6:08)
2. Decomposizione, Preludio E Pace (1:55)
3. 26 Febbraio 1700 (7:20)
4. L'Ultima Graziosa (5:22)
5. Moretto Da Brescia:
- a. Goffredo (6:15)
- b. Il Giardino Del Re (9:16)
- c. Dolce Come Sei Tu (5:19)
Line-up
Bambi Fossatti – guitars, vocals
Angelo Traverso - bass
Maurizio Cassinelli – drums, percussion, vocals
Lio Marchi - keyboards
Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
Garybaldi's debut album Nuda (1972) stands out in the Italian progressive rock scene with strong hard blues roots and Hendrix-inspired guitar. The album is complemented by striking cover art from Guido Crepax. While the vocals may not match the guitar prowess, the instrumental work and unique style offer a fresh alternative to conventional Italian prog of the era. This album is a solid listen for those seeking harder sounds within Italy's 70s rock landscape.Tracklist Videos
Garybaldi
Garybaldi are an Italian progressive rock group from Genoa, evolving out of the Gleemen and led by guitarist Pier Nicolò “Bambi” Fossati (brother of Ivano). Their debut Nuda (1972) featured artwork by Guido Crepax, followed by Astrolabio (1973), structured around two long suites. Their sound blends prog, psychedelic textures, and blues-infused, Hendrix-inspired guitar; praised by critics but limited in sales. Fossati is deceased.03 Reviews
Other reviews
By Naif_90
Listening is not recommended. It is absolutely obligatory!
Garybaldi provides a well-defined interpretation of the local progressive personality, not merely a derivative genre from across the Channel.
