The ***Official*** Progressive Rock Thread
- Thread starter Ron Party
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Been a member here for a while but have only posted once. As I have lots of prog vinyl & CD's, figured I should contribute.
Just finished listening to this great German prog album from 1976...
Just finished listening to this great German prog album from 1976...
Schicke Fuhrs Frohling were one of the great prog bands of the 70s. Originally Frank Zappa was going to produce their first album, Symphonic Pictures, but it never came to pass. I think if he was involved their music would have gone in a radically different direction.
SFF is occasionally lumped in with another prog trio, Emerson Lake & Palmer but there really is marginal musical connection. The late keyboardist Gerd Fuhrs used a very symphonic sounding pallette focusing heavily on Mellotron, synthesizers and organ. Guitarist Heinz Frohling also doubled on bass. He often played in counterpoint to Fuhrs and has a fluid grace to his solos. Drummer Eddie Schicke had a huge arsenal of percussion and was the rhythmic glue that held the band together.
Symphonic Pictures was the best of their three albums, highlighted by the sidelong title track.
Great production with an expansive sound. Dead quiet German pressing.
We were fortunate to reissue the three SFF albums on CD many years ago. Our set was mastered from the original master tales by Bob Katz.
I wished I'd have grabbed your 2CD set years ago when I had the chance Ken. Any idea how the recent Esoteric reissue sounds? It's 2 CD set with the 1975 live album on the 2nd CD.
I didn't bother listening. Esoteric mastering generally is subpar. I've been told our set blows the Esoteric reissues away. Nice liner notes though!
Ken, thank you so much for the info. I found the album on Tidal and listened to some of it last night and loved it. This morning I bought the LP; can't wait to get it.
Now playing...
Locanda Delle Fate - Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu (Italy, 1977)
An absolutely gorgeous album. One of my favorite Italian prog albums. Beautiful romantic classically influenced compositions, rich instrumentation (flute, acoustic, 12 string & electric guitar, Hammond organ, piano, electric Piano, harpsichord, clarinet, Fender electric piano, synthesizers (Moog, Polymoog), vibraphone) with the fantastic & expressive vocals of Leonardo Sasso. Sadly, this was their only studio album until a lackluster reunion album in 1999. A masterpiece of symphonic prog rock.
Locanda Delle Fate - Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu (Italy, 1977)
An absolutely gorgeous album. One of my favorite Italian prog albums. Beautiful romantic classically influenced compositions, rich instrumentation (flute, acoustic, 12 string & electric guitar, Hammond organ, piano, electric Piano, harpsichord, clarinet, Fender electric piano, synthesizers (Moog, Polymoog), vibraphone) with the fantastic & expressive vocals of Leonardo Sasso. Sadly, this was their only studio album until a lackluster reunion album in 1999. A masterpiece of symphonic prog rock.
^^^^^ Nice! I'm gonna have to look for that!
Question: Ever visit Ric's Recollections on Lakeshore in Port Credit?
Question: Ever visit Ric's Recollections on Lakeshore in Port Credit?
Yes, I've known Rick for well over a decade. Such a character, I've got some funny stories ...
Hey John...yes, I have visited Ric on occasion over the years. I don't stop in regularly because it's rare you'll ever find a steal at Ric's as he researches every used vinyl he gets in so nothing flies under his radar. And I'm not prepared to buy a used MoFi for $150. But his used LP's are usually graded accurately and he cleans all of them on his VPI RCM. Over the past 5 months I have been frequenting a new store in Oakville called PCV Records. I have bought dozens of LP's from their $1 & $2 bins as well as finding some incredible albums (jazz, blues, rock) for cheap.
I'd love to hear some one day. I've known Rick for years as well and miss not being able to drop by now that I'm in Calgary.
He's pricier than most, that's for sure. However, he's sourced out some vinyl for me, and he will do you a deal (if you're a regular and pay cash).
I've not heard of PVC, but someone mentioned another store on Speers Rd called Vulture Culture. Are they one and the same? I hear good things about them.
Yes...that's the same store. Pop Culture Vulture. They just moved last week to the corner of Speers & 4th line. A much better location.
Also check out their next album Sunburst. Tracks are shorter but still very good. Their last album, Ticket To Everywhere, wasn't their best effort. It did feature Klaus Meine from Scorpions as a guest vocalist on a track which was a cool thing. Overall the album is a bit too bouncy for my taste.
Gerd Fuhrs and Heinz Frohling made three albums together without Eduard Schicke. The first one calld Ammerland is stunning. It will also give your woofers one hell of a ride. If you liked Symphonic Pictures make sure you pick up an original German pressing of Ammerland.
The follow up live album was pretty great as well. Supposedly test pressings exist...
Wow, I listened to this on Tidal and I love it. So surprising for me because about six months ago I dived into Italian prog and didn't come away with stuff as good as these two albums....
Any advice on which pressing to get?
I guess I overloaded you with italian prog, Ian
That Locanda is top 10 for sure, incredible interplay between all the instruments.
That Locanda is top 10 for sure, incredible interplay between all the instruments.
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