Il Castello di Atlante
Concerto acustico

LA RECENSIONE

If you ever find yourself taking a trip to Japan and want to impress the locals by exhibiting your Latin lover sex appeal, giving tips on where to eat a real Neapolitan pizza, or suggesting the best itinerary for visiting Florence, one idea might be to start whistling the moog riff from "Impressioni di settembre" or the Hammond solo from "Sospesi nell'incredibile" by Le Orme. At that point, you’d see their smiles stretch up to the back of their necks, their backs would start bowing in a sign of devotion, and if you were also lucky enough to have the stature and beard of Francesco di Giacomo from Banco, I'm sure they’d perform some ritual with you involving the sacrifice of young virgins (in strictly miniskirt outfits, of course).  

Among the many obsessions and passions of the Japanese, the love for Italian progressive rock is at the top of the list and in the land of the rising sun, it overshadows our poor Italy in terms of interest 10 to 1. These very Castello di Atlante, virtually unknown in Italy, are considered deities there in Japan and on the occasion of their tour, they were celebrated as if the Mark II of Deep Purple had arrived.

With a thirty-year career behind them, success close to zero, the Castello di Atlante represents the classic example of a band that doesn't invent anything but interprets well. Deeply connected to the vintage sounds of the glorious '70s, keen disciples of the teachings of PFM, they have always presented a classic-based progressive rock with strong folk influences dictated by Massimo Di Lauro's violin along with pianist Roberto Giordano, historical members of the group.

But it is especially in their endless live activity that the band's talents can be appreciated, like in this acoustic show recorded in Novara in June 2006, where, stripped of the electric charge of their performances, they can be admired in their most intimate and natural aspect.

From "Non puoi fingere" to "Ilmarinen forgia il sampo", you jump back over thirty years, through folk diversions, jazz offbeats, and rock surges made even more vivid by the absence of distortions and amplifications, all perfectly interpreted by those who make their music a passion and not a profession. And a special mention for the two "old" members of the group, Di Lauro and Giordano, even more protagonists now that their instruments are not overshadowed by others, alternating violin/piano, at times virtuosos accompanying crazy dances and at times quietly weaving dreamy melodies.