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A Stunning Compilation

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 09/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. Banco is unquestionably the finest band to emerge out of the Italian progressive rock scene and this stunning, synthesizer-heavy 1975 compilation of re-worked pieces from earlier recordings certainly confirms that. The set of material on Banco consists of two songs from their eponymous 1972 debut (Metamophosis and Outside), three from the 1973 release Io Sono Nato Libero (Leave Me Alone, Nothings the Same, and Traccia II), and finally, two new pieces (Chorale and L'Albero del Pane). The most dramatic departures from earlier incarnations are found on Metamophosis and Outside, which are essentially completely new pieces, while the material from Io Sono Nato Libero remains pretty much unchanged. The ensemble work on all pieces is staggeringly intricate and the musicianship is without peer. Although the vocals are in English (with the exception of L'Albero del Pane), the delivery and impact are there and DiGiacomo's vocals are, without a doubt, still incredible. Although I don't get too caught up in the Italian versus English version debate, I have to admit that the reworked 1975 versions of the material from their debut are infinitely superior to the 1972 original, while I prefer the Italian versions of the songs from Io Sono Nato Libero. The remastering on the recording is excellent, although the overall volume drops noticeably in the middle of DiGiacomo's vocal part during the last few minutes of the 15-minute Metamorphosis. Aside from this slight annoyance, this recording would make a superb addition to any progressive rock CD collection."

If you think progressive rock is only British and American-

Robert Cossaboon | The happy land of Walworth, NY | 05/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"you'd better think again, because Banco, or Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, is one of the finest to have ever emerged. They are Italian, but this self-titled album has been mostly recorded in English in an effort to get a toehold in the States. The toehold ended up coming up short, and nobody to this day has ever heard of this fine band. This album has everything a good progressive album should have: the side-long song (Metamorphosis), the pretty hit single song (Leave Me Alone, the ear grabbing opening track, which in this case is the first two songs: Chorale/L'Alber Del Pane. On the specifics, this is a synthesiser/keyboard band. If you want Steve Howe or Robert Fripp, you know where you need to go. That doesn't mean that it's Emerson Lake and Palmer overkill. The compositions are both rousing and subtle. Metamorphosis is the centerpiece; it builds slowly until the emotional climax is a vocal one rather than instrumental. The other stand out is Leave Me Alone, which is an example of how complex arrangements can be packaged simply, nay-even pastorally. It's a great album of an even greater genre."

Banco attempts to break in to the English language market

BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 03/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, one of the biggest Italian prog bands decided to do what one of their other Italian prog contemporary, PFM, did previously: sign with Manticore and re-record some of their songs in English. The result is at least this album is way better than Photos of Ghosts in my opinion. But my reaction to this album is rather mixed. I find the re-recordings of material from their 1972 debut superior, while the re-recordings of material from Io Sono Nato Libero somewhat inferior. Like "Leave Me Alone", which was the remake of "Non Mi Rompete" which had some added string synths and extended a bit near the end, but I think it was mainly the English vocals that seemed to rub me the wrong way. Although no one can resist that strumming acoustic guitar, the problem was the synth solo near the end where it seemed like they added more that made it a bit sappy compared to the original. At least the remake of "Dopo... Niente È Più Lo Stesso" entitled "Nothing's the Same" works better. But it's the remakes of material from their debut that is nothing short of amazing, like "Metamorphosis" and "Outside" (original: "R.I.P."). The 1975 version of "Metamorphosis" is the way I like it with some really killer over the top synths, with much more power and energy than the original. It doesn't seem like any material from Darwin is featured here. "Chorale" is basically a totally electronic version of "Traccia II", and "L'Abero del Pane" is a brand new cut and it's just so energetic and in your face it truly deserves to be called one of Banco's greatest, it's sung in Italian. Banco's self-entitled 1975 album was their only album to ever receive a US release, and unfortunately for the longest time, was the only way people got to hear this great band in this country, until these albums started getting reissued on CD and many dealers, including Amazon started stocking imports. This album demonstrates why Banco was regarded as one of the greats of Italian prog, but I found the English vocals a little detracting for my tastes (particularly "Leave Me Alone"), but then that was the same problem I had for PFM's Photos of Ghosts. Still a worthy album, although Io Sono Nato Libero is better."