MALIBRAN - STRANI COLORI - 2003

In the early Nineties I bought the debut-LP "Wood of tales", a pleasant blend of folk and prog with echoes from Jethro Tull. Their next album was more symphonic with strong hints from early Marillion featuring sensitive guitar soli and lush keyboards. The Italian vocals gave the music a special flavor. After this album my attention faded away for this band but a few years ago I got an interesting Malibran promo CD entitled "Strani colori" (running time 75 minutes). You can divide this compilation into three parts. First 4 songs from their latest period, you can conclude that Malibran has turned into a band with an own identity, their music is very melodic, warm and alternating but also more polished. Then a few covers like "Bourreé" (Bach/Ian Anderson) from 2000 and "Rhayader goes to town" (Latimer/Bardens) from 1997. The renditions sound good but I always wonder who's waiting for these covers. The cover "Cause we've ended as lovers" (Jeff Beck) from 1997 contains fiery and powerful guitarwork but it's a mission impossible to copy the sound of the underrated ex-Yardbird's guitarist. The final part includes 6 compelling songs from 1989-1994: beautiful soli en duets on guitar, a dynamic rhythm-section, wonderful flute - and saxophone play and tasteful keyboards. The music on these songs has again echoes from Jethro Tull and Marillion. This band has delivered a pleasant progrock CD, not very original but if you like early Marillion and you are up to Italian vocals this is a CD to check out.
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