Some days had passed by since I laid aside this CD until I no longer had the older Jumbo album in mind. Because this is a different sound, it might in fact better be associated with the guitar dominated sound lead by Dani Bianchini. At first listen with headphones with an emphasis on the first tracks I was almost shocked at first I thought this meant guitar dominated music with more mainstream accompaniment. I could not figure out from which viewpoint I could listen more clearly to find the real sense of this music without any expectations of what I was going to expect to hear, because from a progressive music point of view it did sound disappointing. It was mostly the second track "La Mia Vita" that ruined it for me, with idiot percussion, and a kind of ego posing mainstream (MOR) rock. After this track it went over to a more relaxed mode, always with the electric guitar leading the compositions. The track "Clowns" showed a much more interesting composition, from this earlier mentioned progressive point of view. It was only after I looked at the music from a Gilmourish guitar music point of interest I began to appreciate the rest of the album.
Surely the intro "Black Hole in a DNA", a very short track, that could have expressed more with its potentional content reminded me of such a Gilmourish mood. From that starting point it suddenly made much more sense, after having passed the few more rhythmically mainstream driven tracks. Still the music has a bit of that personal domesticated home recording flavour. But the following tracks after that were better. Also the piano track, "Piccolo Fiore" for instance, by Tony Vegliante, and all which came after that. It's never really fantastic, but still nice. With the track "Lakota" the rhythms become a bit more ethnic. The title track to be followed is very moody. And also "Black Hole" after that makes sense. The perfectly fitting ethnical percussion in the rest of the CD works best with the guitar playing and compositions, and that can be heard in the "Lakota Live" track. It makes the sound much more optimal for listening pleasure. Also the extra arrangements on the Bianchini composition (with keyboards and cello), "Il Sig.K., a live track, works best on the sound of this new group. A track with fine electric guitar outbursts.
I wondered from the beginning what in earth a cover of a guitarist in bed with pictures spread around on the bed could express in form of a newly experienced sound, or as reference to any newly lived experiences, and secondly, how much it might relay more on the Jumbo name reference or not at all. The music itself did not contain many "new" aspects, not from a progressive point of view. Like I said before it is better not to compare with the earlier Jumbo. On the other hand, like I said before as well, instead it might appeal more to guitarists or fans of guitar dominated music, with interest in expressions derived from a person like Gilmour, and for those people this might be even inspiring. The 'Passing By' concept, where it referred to, was much clearer to me after having seen the booklet sent seperately, with various illustrations and small words. This booklet very unfortunately is not included with the CD nor on the website, but it is nice to have those visual associations too. Therefore most nice pictures are included on this Web page here. The references to the past (on "Passing By") seem mainly to be derived from Dani's own live experiences and associations, like you can see on the pictures and read in the comments associated with it :
Philips (back from cd) Vietato at minori di 18 anni ? (1973)*****
Very good album with lots of ideas. Made with the help of Battiato. More detailed review :
This album has all elements to be regarded to belong amongst the most important Italian Progressive releases : a powerful aggressive male voice, solidly structured mostly for the first half heavy progressive rock with lots of symphonic abilities (-track two has a few heavy brass additions ! still in the heavy prog rock field-), an organ for an extra colour, and some flute, keyboards (mostly piano) and violin for the quiet passages. Some quite passages here have electric and acoustic guitars lead. Most tracks are written by A.Fella, but every member shows its talents in balance with the musical structure. The production in studio made every detail work to a perfect listening pleasure. As work of perfection. Track 5,"Gil" is, still fitting, slightly different, a resting moment, with the fundament of a psychedelic sounding VC3 ? and mellotron, and more exotic percussion at the end. Also the next tracks have more relaxed, refined compositions, singing, (with even more mellotron, flute,..) with only a few heavy moments. A perfect album.
It's nice to see in these modern times someone who takes the opportunity to use the possibilities of modern developments. Of course not everybody can follow these up to experience the full capacities of this interactive CD. Also me, being victim of modern developments, suffering from PC problems now, I can only just listen to the CD on the usual digital equipment. With a nice group sound balance and development we hear basically simple instrumental ideas, with a few songs...
Ridendo e scerzando...................................................................
poi............tutto ad un tratto.........................la vita si fa seria.
PASSING BY(BIANCHINI)
Imparare a camminare..
.....per la vita......sempre.
Daniele in una foto scattata nel 1955 a Milano
-(Porta Ticinese)
JUMBO IN 1970
Jumbo Discography :
Jumbo was born in the 1970's with the first Lp " Jumbo " (Polygram). It was republished a few times on CD in the recent years. Also " DNA " was reissued on CD / Lp / Polygram, as well as "Vietato ai minori di 18 anni ? " with Franco Battiato at synth guest appearance on the track " Gil " -
"1990 Live - in Paris" was released on CD Mellow Records
"Passing by" 2002, private
in 2002 reissue in Japan of " DNA " and " Vietato ai minori di 18 anni ? "
Soon (2003) the mix of their latest work will be finished, titled " Poche Parole "
Two 45 inch records (with Japanese words) can be see nearly at the top of this page.
