Saint Just
Saint Just

In 1973, progressive music in the world and in Italy was at the peak of its popularity, thanks to the originality and the level of creativity achieved in many productions. In this year, the first album by Saint Just was released, named after the French revolutionary who died in 1794. Born in Vomero near Naples, in terms of originality and creativity, it has few equals. The three members of the band, with additional musicians, are Antonio Verde on guitar, bass, and vocals, Robert Fix on saxophone, and especially the captivating Jane Sorrenti, a vocalist of exceptional level (sister of the more famous Alan, for better or worse).
The album evokes atmospheres ranging from classical to medieval music, from folk to true prog with lyrics in line with the characteristics of the music. Acoustic instruments are prominently featured in this first album. To "frame" the genre, one could mention names like Pentangle, the French Sandrose, the Third Ear Band, and I would add some moments from Renaissance. In any case, their originality is certain, as is the excellent level of this album.
The first track, one of the best, is titled "Il Fiume Inondò": the piece opens with a minor tonality, with the guitar giving way to a very "classical" piano, but soon Jane Sorrenti's extraordinary voice arrives, which in some parts recalls her brother Alan's best performances (from the "Aria" period, of course), especially in some modulations and in the way of singing by elongating the vowels. The track changes again, with a nice sax riff, which duets with Sorrenti's voice, reclaiming the "scene" with a very effective building tension. At this point, the song changes again, with a theme entrusted to the electric guitar, with the very raw sound of young Tony Esposito's drums, with the snare drum very prominent in the fills. From here, it returns to the initial theme entrusted to the voice and piano. A very fine piece.
The second track is "Il Risveglio", here too the lyrics have a "fantastic" background, and Jane Sorrenti's voice adapts and molds exceptionally well to the psych-folk-prog atmospheres of the music.
Simple harmonies but a non-trivial vocal line are the characteristics of "Dolci Momenti", the bells add a "fantastic" touch to the beautiful atmospheres of the track: the voice is truly evocative.
Another small masterpiece is found in the fourth track, "Una Bambina". The piano sets the stage for the voice, which with its long notes truly creates a very special atmosphere. The track changes midway, with an electric guitar solo and lively acoustic rhythm, a certainly more sunny moment that preludes to the vocal contribution of Jane's brother, Alan, who as an exceptional guest characterizes the piece even more.
It then moves to "Triste Poeta di Corte", with a very "Neapolitan" sax, acoustic guitars that soon give way to a kind of "impetuous confusion," with a voice at times reciting, improvisations. Soon, however, calm returns, with one of the most "normal" moments of the album, with harmonies entrusted to piano, drums, and bass.
The album closes with the titular "Saint Just", sung in French, a beautiful ballad, "playful" and at times "circus-like" in the sounds and evoking a certain "Frenchness," especially in the first part.
It is not an easy album and must be listened to several times to appreciate its qualities and nuances. One of the most original and best Italian productions, slightly inferior to their second album, released in '74.
The emotions and atmospheres given to us mainly by Jane Sorrenti's voice will surely captivate lovers of good music.