PHOLAS DACTYLUS - CONCERTO DELLE MENTI - 197

Here's another Italian prog album worth having. They released only one album, so you really have little else to worry about, but it's a truly amazing album! "Concerto Delle Mente" was released in 1973 on Magma Records, a label that was ran by Vittorio de Scalzi of NEW TROLLS (that means you got yourself a label, albeit a short-lived label, that was ran by a musician who knew a thing or two about music, rather than your typical anonymous suit and tie that runs your typical major American label who signs Britney SPEARS and the BACKSTREET BOYS to their label). Very unlike most other prog rock albums where they have a vocalist who sings, or the band was all-instrumental, this band was lead by a vocals who does nothing but narrates. Certainly you get the occasional narrating on prog rock albums, but nothing on the scale of "Concerto Delle Menti".

The band consisted of two keyboardists (one on piano, the other on organ), guitarist, bassist, and drummer. The music at times brings to mind GENTLE GIANT or ELP, with very creative passages. The album is divided by two parts, as it's not a collection of songs, but one song that takes up both sides. There are many passages where the narrator keeps quiet, showing how capabable the band is as in instrumental outfit. The music only needs getting used to because of the narration, because you expect singing at any moment, but it never happens. But still, this is a truly amazing and essential Italian prog album that will keep you glued to your seat from start to finish!
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