Le Orme
[Italy]Ad Gloriam (69), L'Aurora (collection) (70), Collage (71), Uomo Di Pezza (72), Felona E Sorona (73), In Concerto (74), Contrappunti (74), Smogmagica (75), Beyond Leng (collection) (75), Verita' Nascoste (76), Storia O Leggenda (77), Florian (79), Piccola Rapsodia Dell'Ape (80), Venerdi (82), Orme (90), Antologia 1970-1980 (93), Live (??, Japan only)
For Emerson, Lake, and Palmer fans, who like the three man classical-rock format style will undoubtedly love Le Orme, who's Nice, ELP, Trace, and Ekseption similarities are evident. Although similar, in my opinion Le Orme were the best of the genre who mixed the pompous classical rock of the Nice with the elegance and sophistication of the Italians. Although their first two albums are rare 60's beat-music ones - and are unavailable reissues as of yet, Le Orme's best albums starting with Collage and the ones that followed, all featuring incredible statements for the three-man band format and are highly recommended to any lover of progressive music. Also great are their 4th through 6th including the classics Uomo Di Pezza, Felona E Serona (who's English version had lyrics by Peter Hammill), and their opus Contappunti Others are supposedly slightly inferior yet are all worthy of exploration.
One of the better known Italian bands, Contrappunti and Felona e Serona are regarded by many as the band's finest hour. When comparisons are made, ELP is usually mentioned. I think they are kind of a cross between ELP (Hammond tones) and PFM (melodic content). Contrappunti is a very good album and gets better with each listening. Most of you would like this.
They started out with beat music and from the album Collage the sound become more prog. (like Quartermass and ELP). The album Felona E Sorona has an English version with the lyrics translated by Peter Hammill. After a bad album (Contrappunti), they recorded Smogmagica in California. The best album is (IMHO) Verita' Nascoste, which has a rocky sound.
Early albums (Collage to Leng) were based on the keyboard trio sound of bands like ELP, and while not being a copy band - Le Orme's sound was more folk influenced, and generally imaginative - the influence is unmistakeable. Beyond Leng is a compilation of the best of their early stuff with english lyrics replacing the italian. From Smogmagica, they began exploring a more varied sound with a four-piece lineup (guitar added), absorbing more folk, jazz, and classical influences and moving away from the power-trio sound. These feature much more varied styling, and some of the band's best work. >From the early period, the place to start is Felona E Sorona, and from the later period go with Storia O Leggenda.
Ah, the cozy sound of keyboard, bass and drum. The many comparsions to ELP are valid, but these guys also have an identity of their own. Melodic Hammond and Moog symphonies that deserve a place among the progressive giants. Recommended: Contrappunti.
Italian progressive trio were one of the first to be able to shake off comparisons to ELP, mostly by being a good deal "classier." The ethereal organ reminds me much more of the "special-effects organ" on early Ange albums. Collage is supposed to be the first of the truly progressive albums. Uomo di Pezza and Contrappunti are supposed to be good, but the only album I've heard of the early period is the outstanding Felona e Sorona, which is one of the best Italian albums from this period. By alternating between intense synth-heavy classical-influenced works with melodic acoustic guitar-led tunes, they bring out the best tendencies of Italian prog. "Sospesi nell'incredibile," "Attesa inerte" and "Ritorno al nulla" are three standouts. After Contrappunti, the band added a fourth member on guitar and became far more conventional. Smogmagica was recorded in Los Angeles and is supposed to be terribly commercial. Verita Nascoste is probably the best from this period, the more rock-orientated guitar-based songs ("In Ottobre," "Vedi Amsterdam") tend to win out over the feathery keyboard-based songs ("Regina al Troubadour"). Not an outstanding album by any means, but very nice. Storia o Leggenda is the worst I've heard by them, very commercial and poppish, resembling Formula 3 circa La Grande Casa, though the closing instrumental is pretty good (but far too short). Avoid this one. Florian and Piccola Rapsodie dell'Ape are supposed to be much improved, all acoustic with lots of chamber-music influence. I haven't heard these. -- Mike Ohman
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