Il Balletto di Bronzo - włoski zespół, powstały w 1966 roku w Neapolu, grający rock progresywny i psychodeliczny. Początkowo zespół tworzyli Marco Cecioni (śpiew, gitara), Lino Ajello (gitara), Michele Cupaiuolo (gitara basowa) oraz Giancarlo Stinga (perkusja). Jednak już w 1971 roku Cecioni i Cupaiuolo opuścili zespół, a ich miejsce zajęli Gianni Leone (śpiew, instrumenty klawiszowe) oraz Vito Manzari (gitara basowa).
Il Balletto di Bronzo formed in Naples in the late sixties with a line-up consisting of Lino Ajello (guitar), Giancarlo Stinga (drums), Marco Cecioni (guitar/vocals) and Michele Cupaiuolo (bass) using initially the name BATTITORI SELVAGGI. Despite avoiding the fate of many other Italian progressive bands of releasing one album and splitting up (they managed two) they still suffered from a lack of interest, the reason cited by some that they were too advanced for the time, which ultimately led to a split in 1973.
Their recording career started with the single "Neve Calda" in 1969 followed the following year by the album "Sirio 2222". Not really displaying much in the way of progressive rock at this stage the album was more in the psychedelic/blues rock vein with one foot still firmly in the sixties. 1971 saw a change of line-up with Cecione and Cupaiuolo leaving. They were replaced by on keyboards/vocals, Gianni Leone, who was in the original line-up of CITTA FRONTALE and bassist Vito Manzari, formerly of QUELLE STRANE COSE CHE, a band from Rome who despite doing some recording for RCA never managed to release anything. The addition of keyboards to the band's sound was to prove an inspired move and change the dynamics of their sound drastically. Their second album "Ys", which over time has become to be regarded as a classic by many RPI fans, was a much more sophisticated affair. Bearing no resemblance to "Sirio 2222" it saw a move towards symphonic prog with a very busy playing style containing elements of jazz and classical influences. An English language version was also prepared but didn't see a release until 1992.
After the split in 1973 one more release in the form of a single titled "La Tua Casa Comoda" saw the light of day, but only featured Stinga and Leone from the "Ys" line-up. Leone went on to a solo career as LEO NERO and released two albums. Many years later he returned with a new line-up of IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO where he was the only member of the seventies incarnation. He was joined by bassist Romolo Amichi and drummer Ugo Vantini and they released the live album "Trys" in 1999. More live shows with yet another rhythm section featuring drummer Adolfo Ramundo and bassist Marco Capozi later resulted in a DVD being released in 2008 titled "Live In Rome."
On the strength of "Ys" alone IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO are regarded as one of the more important and pioneering bands of the Italian prog scene. While it won't necessarily be to every RPI fans taste, it should be at least heard. - Paul Fowler/Nightfly
@ @ @ @
OdpowiedzUsuńTo płyta, która z radością w pamięci jako pamiątka odbywanej niegdyś intensywnej podróży po historii włoskiego rocka. Poznałem w jej trakcie także ich płytę następną, "Ys", której zawartość również prowokuje konieczne do niej powroty. Jestem zdania, że w obszarze tzw: rocka progresywnego muzycy z tego kraju pozostawili po sobie sporo dobroci. Pomimo wyrażanej na łamach Dzikich Świętych niechęci do tej stylistyki sądzę, że warto zapoznać czytelników i słuchaczy bloga z próbkami dźwięków takich grup jak Procession, Quella Vecchia Loccanda, Banco Del Muttuo Soccorso czy Pierrot Lunaire. To z tej półki mało lubianej przez Dzikich. Z odbytej wycieczki zapamiętałem też m.in hard-rockowe Flea i Osage Tribe, zbliżony stylistycznie do debiutu Baletto Di Bronzo I Teoremi, awangardowe Picchio Dal Pozzo, Area i Stormy Six a ze spraw bliższych czasowo magiczne wtulanki w ciszę grup Madrigali Magri i Bacchi Da Pietra. Tp wszystko to jedynie wylapane naprędce dowody na to, że kraj Felliniego w zakresie muzyki dał światu sporo autentycznej trwałej dobroci.
OdpowiedzUsuńFormed in Neapol in late 60′s, with the initial name of Battitori Selvaggi, playing in Nato bases in Italy;they changed name to Il Balletto di Bronzo with the first line-up, with two good singles in 1969 and 1970 and even recording some tracks in spanish (released in 1988 as a single and in 1990 on the Il re del castello LP) and their first album, Sirio 2222. The album is now considered as one of the rarest of the italian prog era, and is halfway between late 60′s psych-influenced pop and prog....e.g. in the great long suite “Missione Sirio 2222″is one of the best tracks, while most of the others are in the 3-minute typical length of the time. Some collectors consider it as one of the best in the italian prog field, others think it’s still not a mature group’s work. Without doubt is very important one.
OdpowiedzUsuńMusic on the first plate is delicious with elements of progressive rock. Were composed of two guitars, bass and drums, but they pulled in the direction of something bigger, then suddenly a band (well, maybe I exaggerated – string quartet), harpsichord, vocals …. Noteworthy are also the compositions – like a short and simple, but richly often with surprising changes of pace, interspersed with great guitar solos. Album has now 43 years, and feel great in her freshness, joy and passion for the game, the elements are so often missing in the new, sterile productions. As usual in the case of Italian bands, some listeners may offend vocal, but it is a matter of habit. Surely this is not a record of Which would start getting used to the Italian rock scene, but it is not a record that can be omitted. It is difficult to recommend it to someone – those who like Italian rock of the time, you know and love it, fans of the sweet neoprogresu not let her touch even with a stick … However, I would encourage her to learn all those who like any old stuff – it’s a piece of history and a starting point.
The first record, completely different from the published two years later, the ultra-progressive YS,album released in 1972 on Polydor (YS,from the name of a legendary town in Brittany), is a masterpiece, giving the group the success on which they deserved. Inexplicably an english-sung version, ready to release, was never issued,contains nine-heavy psychedelic hard hendrix compositions based on the resonance of intense party distorting guitar, bass and drums.
Group disbanded in 1973 after a final single, Gianni Leone having a short solo career under the name of Leo Nero, the others went to live in Sweden and disappeared from the italian music scene.
''Sirio 2222'' is it very good debut album in the climate – Gleemen ,Garybaldi. I recommend.
I am following the hearings this many times but I can’t loose the opportunity to say thanks Ankh this post here…many thanks to my friend!