Reale Accademia Di Musica- ST Orig, '72 Italy Prog LP

$

204

Some people may disagree with me but I consider REALE ACCADEMIA DI MUSICA truly a one-shot band since their second album was done much more as a support for a singer (not a band member) and can also barely be considered as progressive. But here within the "Reale Accademia Di Musica", their self-title album, we have an almost perfect example of what Italian Symphonic Prog means. Really astonishing!

It's hard to talk about band's influences once this album was released in 1972 and in fact it seems better to nominate other acts that have been influenced instead - the sad point is that apparently RADM has been forgotten in the dust of time. Apart the skilful musicianship and fine arrangements I'd like to spot the exquisite and unique vocals, a bit different from the more acute vocals generally observed in other Italian progressive bands of the same period.

The friendly and relatively short 'Favola' opens the album nicely; bucolic and pastoral guitars are joined by poignant vocals that spread through the track in its entirety along with a catchy and beautiful middle section - there's magic in the air, and we go avidly to the next song.

'Il mattino' continues with the dream-like vocals, this time accompanied by incredible and unforgettable keyboards. But now the main gift is the solo part: a 5-minute dazzling intermezzo where piano, guitar, drums and bass provide a marvelous communion like shaped outside of the real world. Instruments run in crescendo, leaving hearts in suspension with so many musical magnificence and grandiosity. 'Ognuno sa', the next song, keeps high the atmosphere; an adequate follow-on for the previous marvel.

'Padre' starts with soft mellotron and hard guitars, just to blast into a short rock section introducing a sorrowful singing part. A good song, much more in a classic rock style however with neat progressive touches supplied by the ever-present keyboards. 'Lavoro in città' maintains the rock ambience conjugated with spices of avant-garde, blues and romanticism supplied by strange intro choir, crying guitars and harmonious vocals.

'Vertigine' closes the album in a true and enjoyable prog-rock mood. This time, vocals appear more sharpened and incisive, while the band plays explosively. Instruments come and go in an amusing manner, always surprising the hearer - the real essence of the progressive sound. After listening to this ender and if I were there in 1972, I'd be eager for their next release which unfortunately did not happen, at least in the way we like.

After hearing and re-hearing, enjoying and tasting this work, in my opinion there are no doubts left about "Reale Accademia Di Musica": a masterpiece.

Reale Accademia di Musica is a good example of Italian symphonic progressive rock, since it blends very well acoustic and folkish instruments to progressive rock. The influences are clearly classical and folk and the strong part of their music is the delicate and beautiful melodies with both pastoral and classical feel.

The first song, Favola, is a very beautiful pastoral song, dominated by acoustic guitar and flute, plus excellent vocal melody and orchestral arrangement. Then comes Mattino, that is a long keyboard-driven progressive rock song, with excellent piano and organ arrangement. The guitar and the percussion are very good, giving an excellent support to all the piano and organ solos. In the end of the song there are more apparent beautiful string arrangements.

With Ognuno Sa, Reale Accademia di Musica enters in another territory, delivering an interesting sofisticated straight rock ballad, with good piano and organ arrangements, plus beautiful melodies. The song is not adventurous as the other prog acts of the album, but the beautiful melodies make it as good as the other songs.

Then comes Padre, the real gem of the album. Since the beginning, the song shows that it was going to be an epic. The organ and guitar intro is excellent. Then the verses start with excellent atmospheric organ, bass and drum riff and good guitar. The organ become more proeminent in the other verses. A heavenly instrumental part follows, with superb organ arrangements, alternating louder and quieter parts, followed by a superb guitar solo and the final verses. Awesome song.

Lavoro in citta is another great prog song, with a tense mood in intro, with good piano, organ and guitar riff. The singing is different in somber tones. Then the song changes to the regular mellow prog, with excellent combination of piano, organ and mellotron, giving a dreamy feel to the song. The guitar solo is excellent and the vocal harmonies very beautiful. The song ends with a jazzy part, completely different of the rest of the song, with good piano and guitar.

Vertigine, the last song, is much darker than the rest. The intro features good percussion, organ and guitar. The song changes a bit, but doesn't lose its dark mood and includes a very good guitar solo, followed by a good organ solo, with interesting percussion.

Overall is a great Italian symphonic prog album, with superb songs like Favola, Padre, Vertigine and Lavoro in Citta. It is specially recommended for people who enjoy the top Italian symphonic prog bands like Banco, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Le Orme, because Reale Accademia di Musica's debut is in the same league of these Italian prog giants.

(progarchives.com)

This is the original 1972 Italian release.

Dischi Recordi Records (Italy/1972) SMRL 6105

A1. Favola (3:46)
A2. Mattino (9:19)
A3. Ognuno Sa (5:19)
 
B1. Padre (8:41)
B2. Lavoro In Citta' (5:56)
B3. Vertigine (7:11)

Line up:

Federico Troiani- acoustic & electric piano, organ, mellotron, vocals
Nicola Agrimi- acoustic & electric guitars
Pierfranco Pavone- bass
Roberto Senzasono- drums, percussion
Henryk Topel Cabanes- lead vocals
Pericle Sponzilli- guitar
Maurizio Vandelli- acoustic guitar (A2), mellotron (B2)
Natale Massara- orchestra direction (A1, A2)


LP in EX condition, jacket in VG+ (initials on back bottom right corner, small amounts of mildew spotting, no split seams or ring wear)  I doubt you'll find a copy of this album in better condition!

Will ship worldwide via USPS.  Postage determined by destination.



Welcome to my auction of rare (and not so rare) items.  Over the coming years, you'll find lots of LPs, CDs, magazines, and other items that I've been lugging around for the past 30+ years posted here for an appreciative future owner.  I'm getting too old these days to move this stuff around any longer, and to be quite honest about it, I can better utilize the space left with their vacancy.

Please include my seller ID in your favorites because if you dig the out-of-the-ordinary, chances are good that I'm selling something you may covet.

I've kept my items in the best shape possible over the years, with plastic sleeves over the jacket, and in many cases, I've replaced paper LP sleeves with high-quality rice sleeves.  If an LP included any sticker on the shrink-wrap, I usually cut it out and stuck it in with the LP sleeve.  I rarely took any inserts out of the jackets if they were included, so any additional item you may get with an LP won't have thumbtack holes or taped corners.

I've loved my music collection as if they were a part of me, and I think you'll see this should you win any item I sell.

I'm brutally honest in my grading.  I don't believe in "Mint" quality, however I will say that many of my LPs designated VG+ would likely be another seller's "Near Mint".  Over my years of ownership, I used a Keith Monks LP cleaner, cleaned albums with a 10% vodka/90% purified water solvent, and used an anti-static gun and mat, along with near-audiophile cartridges and tonearms.

Why are my LPs priced so low when another seller is charging a three-figure price for the same items?  Simple.  I believe in the spirit of the auction.  I may not make the money some have on the same item, but then I usually don't have to post an item 20 times before someone finally buys it at a collector's price.

My grading system:

EX: Vinyl is (nearly) perfect.  Only noise during play is from dust or dirt specks you didn't clean before playing.  Jacket is (nearly) perfect- almost like you took it out of the wrapper a few minutes ago.

VG+: Obviously played, but vinyl still has almost-new luster.  Some small scuffs or light scratches, not affecting or barely affecting play are evident.  Jacket has some small scuffs or light ringwear.  No seam splits, but edge/corner wear is evident.  Possible small sticker or man-made mark visible.

VG: These and below are almost always LPs I've bought from a used bin at some time during my collecting days.  Vinyl is well played, and background noise is becoming evident.  Occasional scratches may affect play, but no groove skipping.  Jacket may have a small notch/corner cut. Ring wear is evident, but does not affect cover notes.  Light corner bend or wrinkle in jacket surface.

VG-: This is usually the lowest grade I will sell without going into great descriptions.  A bit noisier than above.  Still no groove skip.  More scratches affecting play.  Jacket is definitely showing signs of wear.  Some seam splitting is evident.  Large sticker or factory imprint mars jacket cover or notes on back cover.  Bends or creases are more evident.  Man-made spotting/writing.  Overly-ambitious notch/corner cut or outright damage to cover.

G: I have maybe a handful of albums that fit this category.  You'll see detailed descriptions on any album like this.

Last thoughts:  Return bidders get postage discounts, based on a percentage of total postage.  I will combine orders, but please don't expect me to hold items or delay total payment longer than 2 weeks past the time of first winning bid.  A note to me over plans to bid on later listed items is always a good thing!  I usually mail out the weekend following the sale of an item due to my work schedule, but occasionally, I can mail out during the week.

Good luck and good bidding!