Le Orme - Il Fiume
	Released: 1996 Label: Tring Cat. No.: TRI 024 Total Time: 35:04
	Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, December 1999 I've put Le Orme under the PMR section because that's where most would look for them, but they could just as easily be listed under the Aural Odyssey section as well [when such sections were part of this site -ed]. This is the 1996 release by this Italian progressive band, who got their start in the 70's, owing to the popularity of UK prog in Italy. There is an extensive and well-written band history in the Spring 1997 issue of Progression worth reading. As far as Il Fiume is concerned, it is a beautiful symphonic progressive rock piece that could easily sit beside Mannheim Steamroller, especially the instrumental "Prima Acqua." But there are moments here that could be modern Fish - not so much because they sound like Fish, but because there is that modern, striding rhythm to the music, a hint of funk. Chalk that up to the authoritative way Michi Dei Rossi pounds the skins ("Chiesa D'Asfalto"). Francesco Sartori has a classical keyboard (mostly piano) style…it is an open, expressive style like…well, like David Lanz, or George Winston (both contemporary instrumental artists) - warm, clear notes, phrased well and full of emotion. All supported by the equal talents of Michele Bon on keyboards and synths. Aldo Tagliapietra (bass, guitars, and sitar) has a great voice - at times he sounds like Peter Gabriel, especially on "Lungo Il Fiume" which also has a highly percussive rhythm like mid-80's Gabriel. In the same range and style of "In Your Eyes," for example. "Grande Acqua" has a chorus section that sounds eerily like an Italian version of the "War is Over" refrain from the John Lennon classic "Happy Christmas." But up until that point, the track has a very early to mid-90's Marillion-like feel to it, so much so that Tagliapietra sounds a bit like Steve Hogarth. Even structurally, it is Marillion-like - the best comparison would be Holidays In Eden's "The Party." I fell in love with this album at first hearing it, as it contains all the elements that I love in music - rich symphonic sounds, warmth and depth of feeling, and emotive and accomplished playing. The lyrics are written and sung in Italian, and even if you don't speak the language (I don't) the emotion and feelings come through clear. In that, they are like Minimum Vital, meaning is conveyed by cadence and phrasing. Sartori gets the spotlight on "Dove L'Acqua Si Riposa" which rivals many more well known modern classical pieces. Excellent stuff. There is a more modern pop feel to a lot of this which might turn off some progressive purists, but no matter what label you want to put on it, this is excellent music. And comes highly recommended. More about Il Fiume: Track Listing: Il Fiume (parte prima) (4:55) / Madre Mia (3:36) / Prima acqua (3:14) / Chiesa D'asfalto (4:03) / Danza Dell'acqua (3:01) / Lungo Il Fiume (4:32) / Dove L'acqua Si Riposa (1:22) / Il Vecchio (4:16) / La Parola (0:38) / Grande Acqua (3:46) / Il Fiume (parte seconda) (3:01) Musicians: Aldo Tagliapietra - bass, guitar, sitar, and vocals Michi Dei Rossi - drums, percussion, glockenspiel and gamelan Francesco Sartori - Piano and keyboards Michele Bon - organ, synthesizers, and vocals (6) Contact: www.le-orme.com Note: will open new browser window Email: leorme@le-orme.com Discography Ad Gloriam (1969) L'Aurora Delle Orme (1970) Collage (1971) Uomo De Pezza (1972) Felona E Sorona (1973) Le Orme In Concerto (1974) Contrappunti (1974) Smogmagica (1975) Beyond Leng (1975)    English version compilation Verita' Nascoste (1976) Canzone D'Amore (1976) Storia O Leggenda (1977) Le Orme Antologia 67-69 (1978) Le Orme (1978) Florian (1979) Piccola Rapsodia Dell'ape (1980) Venerdi' (1982) Orme (1990) Antologia 1970-80 (1993) Il Fiume (1996) Amico Di Ieri (1997) Buy this title at:
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