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Rating: Lodovico Ellena is a legendary figure in Italian psychedelic music. With the Effervescent Elephants, he wrote immortal pages of Italian psychedelia. But, beyond his adventure with the Elephants, we are faced with a strong personality: Ellena is cultured and has a solid historical background. In the past, he has had problems due to his controversial political ideas but, in the recent book No Strange e sogni correlati, he explained his position on the subject with great clarity. He is also a great expert in the field of tricolor "psychedelia" so, in 1998, he decided to write his own personal history on the subject. The book is called "Storia della musica psichedelica italiana".
The volume, an enjoyable and entertaining read, is divided into historical periods. It starts with the 1960s, where all the groups that can be more or less defined as psychedelic are discussed. Of course, Le Stelle di Mario Schifano are duly mentioned: their "Dedicato a...", released in 1968, sounds like an authentic miracle in the Italian music scene of the time characterized by beat and is light years ahead. Also notable are Chetro Co., I Templari, Gli Astrali with their legendary "Viaggio allucinogeno" and Rumi. Other names have only a harmless splash of some psychedelic element.
With the 1970s, the discussion shifts towards progressive. Some choices seem a bit forced to me: groups like Pholas Dactylus, Jacula, Antonius Rex, Opus Avantra, Saint Tropez, Sain Just, Aktuala, Living Music, and N.A.D.M.A., all names more oriented towards prog and avant-garde in my opinion, are found in the melting pot of the genre. Great space is rightly given to Alan Sorrenti and the late Claudio Rocchi with whom Ellena himself will later collaborate. Le Orme is also mentioned, at the beginning of their psychedelically oriented career like the New Trolls and the legendary first album of Balletto di Bronzo "YS". The early Battiato of "Fetus" and "Pollution" could not be missed. But Lucio Battisti is also mentioned for "Umanamente uomo: il sogno".
When it comes to the '80s, Ellena is on home turf: thus the Effervescent Elephants and all their side projects are discussed. He considers the early Birdmen Of Alkatraz the best group overall and recommends starting with them to get an idea of the neo '60s revival phenomenon. Daniele Caputo and Maurizio Curadi are defined as two great artists but also two stubborn heads. The No Strange are deemed essential for anyone who wants to know the psychedelia of our country. In the '90s, the movement wanes but there are notable mentions such as the great Kryptasthesie by Dario Antonetti, from Lecco. Their "Shaken At The Sun" made history in its own way.
"Storia della musica psichedelica italiana" is an essential text and a gift to Culture. Look for it, make it yours, and you'll gain more education than in many years of school. The volume can be ordered from Btf at the following link: http://www.btf.it/storia-della-musica-psichedelica-italiana.html.
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