Latte E Miele - Aquile E Scoiattoli

Year of Release: 1992
Label: Subterranea Records
Catalog Number: SUB 01
Format: CD
Total Time: 43:14:00

Another re-release of this splendid gem from 1976. The first side of the original vinyl album contained the band's reworking of the Beethoven classic "Opera 21," which is nothing more than a modern approach as already demonstrated by bands such as Ekseption or Beggar's Opera. Furthermore, some of the other, shorter tracks remind me of the less accessible songs from the Moody Blues. Luckily there is one masterpiece to be found here in the form of the 23:45 lasting "Pavana" on which the band was assisted by ex-New Trolls man Vittoria De Scalzi on flute. "Pavana" is one of the most outstanding examples of the lush melodic progressive rock coming from Italy. It is one of the best pieces of complex instrumental music I have ever heard. Superb organ parts is the main ingredient here, although there's a fair amount of mellotron as well. In fact, this track is a classic ... without being classical in the true sense of the word! A comparison with ELP is probably the closest you will get, although I would recommend everyone to try and get their hands on this CD and give this track a listen at least once in your life! As an introduction to the great vaults of superb Italian progressive rock this release could well be the ideal key!

Tracklisting:
Aquile E Scoiattoli (3:39) / Vacche Sacre (5:12) / Menestrello (5:10) / Opera 21 (5:03) / Pavana (23:45)

Musicians:
Alfio Vitanza - drums, 12-string guitar
Massimo Gori - bass, acoustic guitar
Luciano Poltini - Hammond, Moog, clavinet
Mimmo Damiani - keyboards

Discography:
Passeo Secundum Mattheum (1972/1996)
Papillon (1973/1992/2003)
Aquile E Scoiattoli (1976/1992)
Live (rec. 1974/ rel 1992)
Vampyrs (rec 1979 / rel. 1992)
Trilogy: The Complete Works (2003) (4cd box)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin IT

Added: August 2nd 2001
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website:
Hits: 3189
Language: english