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THE REVIEW
With the addition of keyboardist Gianni Leone, the Balletto di Bronzo delivers a milestone of Italian prog that has nothing to envy even of foreign giants.
Compared to other bands of the time, Balletto leaned towards dirty and sick atmospheres with Gianni Leone on keyboards taking center stage with extraordinary technique and style (and he was only 16 years old!) with both symphonic and jazzy inputs. The lyrics are also very good and unfold through a mysterious concept plot, giving the whole thing an atmosphere of decadence; one of the rare examples of Italian dark progressive.
Unfortunately, the band then broke up due to the effects of a reckless life, only to reappear many years later. The CD edition also features the bonus track "La tua casa comoda" (a single from 1973) with slightly softer sounds but still very beautiful.
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Summary by Bot
Il Balletto di Bronzo's YS is a landmark Italian progressive rock album noted for its dark, symphonic, and jazzy atmospheres. Keyboardist Gianni Leone's extraordinary skills stand out, especially remarkable given his young age. The album features a mysterious concept plot and remains a rare example of Italian dark prog. Although the band disbanded shortly after, their legacy endures with the CD's bonus track offering a softer yet beautiful sound.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Il balletto di bronzo
Il Balletto di Bronzo is an Italian progressive rock band from Naples. After debuting with Sirio 2222 (1970), they released the landmark concept album Ys (1972) for Polydor. The group disbanded soon after, later revived by keyboardist Gianni Leone and returning to the studio with Lemures (2023).09 Reviews
Other reviews
By otrebla86
The skilled Gianni Leone manages to create atmospheres typical of medieval Celtic music, for the first time in Italy.
If I am to listen to this album, I listen to it from the introduction to the last track, without interruptions or skips.
By paloz
This, along with very few others, is one of those I consider the TRUE masterpieces of Italian progressive rock.
I swear it gives chills.
By sinaftersin
Leone, exceedingly generous behind the organ, the moog, the mellotron, the spinet, the piano, weaves an oppressive and claustrophobic plot, interwoven by a faint and delirious voice, dreamy and damned.
This album is a work forever contemporary, capable of gifting dozens of hours of pure, powerful emotions to anyone willing to be transported to another world.
By giuseppe40
Ys is a record not for everyone, certainly not for every day.
The intertwining of the many and complex instrumental parts is almost perfect, the arrangements are never predictable or banal.
By BiagRece
Leone is indeed considered one of the greatest rock keyboardists of all time.
This album is a clear example of how an incredibly capable group remained partially hidden from the 'masses' in Italy.
