 | Corte dei Miracoli (1976)Genres: progressive rock, symphonic rock |
review by thomas
Led by ex-Giro Strano keyboardist Alessio Feltri with bass, drums, vocals and dual keyboards. You do recognise Feltri’s organ sound from time to time but here is also a lot of (tasteful) analog synth work, however, since they are two there’s always a variety of keyboards present. Just listen to the piano and organ work in “I Due Amanti” for something out of this world; the whole album is a masterpiece. The vocalist is in the same vein as the singer in Giro Strano, nevertheless Corte doesn’t try to sound like them, they had by this time (1976) a sound of their own as opposed to the “Dimensione Onirica” album, an album full of demos from 1974 but not released until 1994; on this they sound more like Giro Strano.
Five tracks in a heavy symphonic style, yet full of rich, warm and romantic music. The drummer – Flavio Scogna – is truly amazing. Besides a wonderful drum sound he plays master class percussion on (I believe) the crotales (they sound like whatever Neil Peart used in “The Trees”), I haven’t heard anything quite like it, absolutely paradisiacal, it stuns me each and every time; each and every time. All songs are long compositions in the Italian style, a little like Banco or in some ways like Orme’s “Felona e Sorona” album, and of course some things in common with Giro Strano as well.
I don’t understand how the Italians could come out with so many good things during the seventies, but I don’t really care how, I am just grateful they did. This masterpiece by Corte dei Miracoli is for music lovers what nectar and ambrosia are for the goddesses and gods: vital.
