People who enjoy the classic progressive rock sound of the seventies should try out the eponymous debut album made by the Italian band Il Tempio Delle Clessidre. This album features all those elements that especially the older prog heads might enjoy, since they grew up with the music of Genesis, Yes, PFM and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The influences from these bands are chiefly responsible for the fantastic retro-sound on this album. The bandname of Il Tempio Delle Clessidre originates from the album Zarathustra released by Museo Rosenbach in 1973. However, this isn't a surprise at all because Stefano'Lupo' Galifi is the lead singer on both Zarathustra and on Il Tempio Delle Clessidre. It's maybe interesting to know how he got involved with the latter. In 2006 he met Elisa Montaldo, a keyboard player and composer very fond of progressive rock. Together they started the project Il Tempo Delle Clessidre that performed the entire Zarathustra-album in two concerts. That was the beginning of a new band that wanted to write its own songs. After several line-up changes the band now consist of Stefano 'Lupo' Galifi (vocals), Elisa Montaldo (keyboards), Giulio Canepa (guitar), Fabio Gremo (bass) and Paolo Tixi (drums). Right from the start you'll notice that Mr. Galifi is the key member in the band. He has that typical Italian warm and emotional voice, singing very lyrical and melodic. However, the musician that attracts me most is not the vocalist, but the lady behind the keyboards. Not because she's a woman, but her technical skills remind me of people as Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman. Just like them Elisa Montaldo knows exactly how to let the keyboards do all the talking. The way she plays the organ, piano and synthesizers is just superb. Therefore she's partly responsible for the great retro sound on Il Tempio Delle Clessidre. Apart from that she wrote most of the music and she did the fantastic artwork, but it wouldn't be fair if I didn't mention guitarist Giulio Canepa who delivered some outstanding performances as well. It's not easy to mention any highlights on this release, since all tracks are of such a high quality level that it kept me focused until the end, but I will name a few candidates. The opening track Verso l'Alba immediately sets the high standard of music. Le Due Metà Di Una Notte starts as a ballad and has some fantastic playing on the piano. The final song Antidoto Mentale has been added as bonus track. This piece can only be heard if you don't remove the disc from your player after the music stops. After a couple of minutes the track starts including lots of vintage keyboards played very pleasantly. It's difficult to pick out a favourite piece. Yet Il Tempio Delle Clessidre doesn't reach the same high level as the above-mentioned bands. That's no shame at all, because these bands also needed more albums to grow to a high musical level. However, they come pretty close and that certainly is a compliment for a band that released a debut album. Il Tempio Delle Clessidre delivered quite an achievement with an album they can be very proud of. It's highly recommended to people who enjoy the music of the seventies made by bands as Genesis, Yes, PFM, ELP, Banco and Le Orme. **** Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) Where to buy? |
