February 2016 the Italian progressive rock band La Coscienza Di Zeno made their debut on a Dutch stage thanks to the people of the amazing Progfrog team in Nieuwerkerk aan de Ijssel. Their performance at 't Blok was for me personally something which I was looking forward to for many years. Because this band is without doubt one of the best bands in the genre of Rock Progressivo Italiano. Right from the start of their performance, they proved to be a fantastic live unit. As with many concerts you witness, you wish that someday a live album will be released to relive the performances of the musicians over and over again. Well guess what? A live album of the only Dutch concert of La Coscienza Di Zeno is now released on an album with the title Il Giro del Cappio - Dal Vivo 28.02.2016. The album starts and ends with compositions taken from their amazing second album Sensitivitą (2013, see review). Perfect renditions of La Cittą Di Dite and the title track can be enjoyed. In between those two songs you can hear excellent material taken from their excellent debut La Coscienza Di Zeno (2011) and last great effort La Notte Anche Di Giorno (2015, see review). From their latest studio album they present a superb version of the first part of the album. Giovane Figlia is a fantastic epic piece of music divided into six different parts. Each of them is a delight to hear. It features up tempo parts and laid back moments. The song is loaded with excellent solos played on the guitars and synthesizers. Guitarist Davide Serpico and keyboardist Luca Scherani can shine on their instruments but it is most of all singer Alessio Calandriello who steals the show with his vocal performances. He doesn't have any problems copying his parts recorded in the studio. Yeah this man can actually really sing the high and low notes without getting into any problem areas. But of course I'll have to mention the rhythm section as well because they did an outstanding job as well. Drummer Andrea Orlando and bassist Gabriele Guidi Colombi are very capable musicians who do know how to play strong up tempo rhythms or laidback parts. Fans of the band probably ask themselves why one of the most important members in the band isn't mentioned. Well Stefano Agnini is a brilliant composer and keyboard player but in a way he has fear to climb the stage and to perform with the other band members. Therefore you can't hear him on this live release playing the keyboards along with Luca Scherani. Luca played all of the most important keyboards all by himself and so a big show of hands for mister Scherani. Il Giro del Cappio - Dal Vivo 28.02.2016 is an outstanding live album. However it is too bad no concert pictures of the event in the Netherlands are included in the booklet. This would create a real live atmosphere. Instead are some art pictures included and passport pictures of all the band members, including the earlier mentioned Agnini. Probably not so strange because he is very important in the band even without playing on stage. All in all it is easy to say that Il Giro del Cappio - Dal Vivo is a real killer live album with only beautiful performed compositions. Compositions which come very close to the original studio version. Something which proves that this band only has professionals in their line up. The difference between the studio and live versions is that the live versions sound more raw compared to the more clean studio versions. Highly recommended to progheads who enjoy bands such as Premiata Forneria Marconi, Le Orme, Locanda Delle Fate, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Maxophone and Metamorfosi. **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
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