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...
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Thanks for posting. How would you describe the music, sonics and pressing?
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.
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.
^^^^^ Nice! I'm gonna have to look for that!
Question: Ever visit Ric's Recollections on Lakeshore in Port Credit?
^^^^^ Nice! I'm gonna have to look for that!
Question: Ever visit Ric's Recollections on Lakeshore in Port Credit?
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.Yes, I've known Rick for well over a decade. Such a character, I've got some funny stories ...
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).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.
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.
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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.
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.