PREMIATA FORRNERIA MACARONI – STORIA DI UN MINUTO – 1972 (IT) progressive rock

PFM were the most successful progressive band from Italy, and some would say they were the most successful band from Italy, and maybe even from all of continental Europe, apart from ABBA. It’s easy to miss the fact that they were actually veritable pop stars in their home country very soon after they formed, with the single “Impressioni di Settembre/ La Carozza di Hans” selling very well and earning the band a lot of attention. The first album came out soon after the single and was a big success too. They maintained their Italian following throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, though their forays into the European, British, American, and Japanese markets resulted in a small decline in their popularity at home. The times also dictated that they change their styles, and their 1980’s and 1990’s albums are generally hated by most progressive rock aficionados, though I am actually quite fond of several tracks from this period.
But the first three albums are loved by almost everyone. The best way to describe the first album, La Storia di un Minuto, in my opinion, is that it is just a very fun album to listen to. It also contains some downright classic melodies and phenomenal playing. Apart from the opening intro and the closer “Grazie Davvero,” all of the songs are still performed regularly by the group today, and “Impressioni di Settembre” is something like “Stairway to Heaven” in Italy, with “E’ Festa” not far behind. They manage to make complicated music that would appeal to almost everyone, and they do it probably better than anyone else ever has.

Franco Mussida (guitar, vocals)
Franz Di Cioccio (drums, vocals)
Flavio Premoli (keyboards, vocals)
Mauro Pagani (vocals, flute, violin)
Giorgio Piazza (bass, vocals)

1 Introduzione 1:09
2 Impressioni di Settembre 5:43
3 E' festa 4:49
4 Dove...quando...(parte I) 4:06
5 Dove...quando...(parte II) 6:00
6 La carrozza di Hans 6:45
7 Grazie davvero 5:51

Masterpiece, italian progressive rock. Sounds like they have been a bit influenced by all british progacts there is. Makes me kinda think of jethro tull sometimes. But the sound is truly unique and of it's own.

Highly recommended!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/314163/