Search - Pfm :: Storia Di Un Minuto

This is just the beginning

BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 06/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PFM has always earned that well-deserved reputation as being one of the greatest prog rock bands to come out of Italy. So much so they they eventually received American exposure thanks to recording on Greg Lake's own Manticore label and recording in English. Prior to Photos of Ghosts, the band's music was sung entirely in Italian, and only released in Italy, on the Numero Uno label. What's amazing about Storia di un Minuto is it's their debut, and the band's sound is already defined. Many other bands needed to take two or three albums to really take off. For example, the debut by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso showed potential, but was marred by substandard production. Their following two albums (Darwin! and Io Sono Nato Libero) were obvious improvements and showed them at their full potentional. For a more "mainstream" prog band, look at Yes, it wasn't until their third album (The Yes Album) that they really began to take off. For PFM, they got it right the first time! And Storia di un Minuto shows that. "Impressioni di Settembre" is that pefect example, showing a nice blend of folk and classical, with that Italian touch. Synthesizers play a role here. The song was originally released as a single the year before (1971), probably to tie people over while they get finished with Storia di un Minuto. "E` Festa" is one of the more popular cuts here, and more so when it was re-recorded in English on Photos of Ghosts as "Celebration". This original is arranged a bit differently, especially the middle part. There's the gloomy "Dove... Quando (Part 1)" dominated by vocals, acoustic guitar, and harpsichord. "La Carrozza di Hans" is one of my favorites, an adventurous number going through many different changes, with jazzy passages with almost Jethro Tull-like flutes, to more acoustic passages, laid-back vocal passages. "Grazie Davvero" is often regarded as the album's low-points, mainy turned off by the "cheesy horns". I happen not to be bothered by them, and actually find it yet another pleasant peace, especially the acoustic sections. Hard to believe a band pulled off such a great debut like this. If you like this, be sure to pick up their following album, Per Un Amico. Truly a must have for those in to Italian prog, or to start your Italian prog collection."

A great debut by one of Italy's finest prog bands

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 09/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the first (and lasting) impressions I had of 1972-1974 PFM is the striking resemblance to 1969-1970 King Crimson - specifically, the sweeping, mellotron heavy aspects of the music, although the "21st Century Schizoid Man" factor is here as well. This influence is certainly present on this 1972 debut album, although the distinctive PFM sound cuts through as well. At any rate, this band is certainly one of the finest prog bands to emerge out of Italy and should be mentioned in the same breath as the English giants, e.g. ELP, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Gentle Giant etc.



The musicians on this album comprise the classic PFM lineup and include Flavio Premoli (Hammond organ, piano, mellotron, harpsichord, mini-moog, and vocals); Franz di Cioccio (drums, mini-moog, vocals); Mauro Pagani (flute, violin, vocals); and Franco Mussida (electric and acoustic guitars, nylon classical, and vocals). In addition to the core members, brass parts are featured on Grazie Davvero. Although some folks feel that the brass parts do not fit too well with the rest of the material on the album, I feel that they work just fine. These guys are simply out of this world when it comes to technical ability and the individual playing and ensemble work is breathtaking. I think it is worth singling out Franco Mussida though - this guy is incredible and is a world class guitarist of marked distinction along with other players such as Steve Howe, Jan Akkerman, Alan Holdsworth etc. The vocals (in Italian) are very good and they get some pretty good multi-part harmonies going.



Musically, this is about as full-blown as prog gets, which is amazing given that this is a debut album. Dynamics range from all out full band assaults (E Festa) to delicate sections that just feature the acoustic guitar, flute, and violin (Dove...Quando). A lot of the hallmarks of prog are here as one can imagine - "churchy" sounding Hammond organ, sharp and sudden juxtapositions between sections in different keys and musical styles (e.g. from King Crimson to Dave Brubeck), tons of mellotron, wildly virtuosic playing, incredible melodies and harmonies. Although there are the aforementioned influences, there is a tiny smattering of melodies taken from Italian folk music too. As an aside, it is the incorporation of music specific to the particular country, whether it is Italy, Finland, or Argentina, that makes all non-English prog so interesting for me.



This particular version of the album is a digipak and features good sound quality, although the rest of the package is lacking. Apart from the credits for each musician, there are no lyrics or other notes which makes this a not so hot CD reissue.



All in all, this is an incredible debut by one of the finest bands to emerge out of the Italian prog scene (which was enormous by the way). Very highly recommended along with Photos of Ghosts (1973) and The World became the World (1974)."

Another great Italian prog band

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 08/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one MIGHTY fine album by Premiata Forneria Marconi.



There's a little bit of everything here for progressive rock fans all around the world. Don't just think you have to be Italian and living in Italy to appreciate music THIS wonderful. Every single song on the album stands out in its own way. That's the biggest sign you're listening to a creative and talented band when the band members have the ability to make each song stand apart from the other ones. A creative direction, and that's always personally appreciated by me whenever I hear bands attempt that.



In terms of vocal melodies, they don't GET any better than this! When it comes to instrumental variety, WOW again! Flute solos, violin bursts, acoustic guitar, atmosphere to the extreme, the album just has everything outstanding going for it. I love the classical piano solos that are scattered all over the album.



The final track reminds me of the Beatles in fact, with two of their most loved songs blending together- "Julia" and "Penny Lane". Come to think of it, the main verse melody sounds like the final track from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon! You don't think Pink Floyd was listening to this band, do ya? I bet these guys were influenced by the Beatles though. Just about everyone was!



Sorry for the bad way of describing the music. I've never been too good at that. Just understand this is definitely an album a step above the rest. The bands ability to be listenable 100% of the time can't be ignored. It' just CAN'T be!"