Allium (Tillison, Reingold, Tiranti) Homage to 70's Italian Progressive Rock

[aith01]

Would love to give a review but apparently those who pre-ordered it get it later, lol. I guess I could've downloaded the tracks from Dropbox, but I was trying to be patient for a change.

Oof... Sorry man. I didn't realize it hasn't arrived for everyone yet.

[Plasmatopia]

Oof... Sorry man. I didn't realize it hasn't arrived for everyone yet.

I suspect it's the usual issues with stuff coming from across the pond. The last thing I bought from Jonas (The Backstage) I never received and just ended up buying another copy. 'Twas worth it though.

[SRS]

I haven't received the physical copy yet but did go ahead and get the downloads from the dropbox link Jonas sent.

I've listened to the original 70's mix probably 5x so far and I love it! I liked it quite a bit on first listen and with each subsequent listen as I get more familiar with the songs I'm enjoying it more and more which is a great sign. I'm not an Italian Prog specialist but this really nails the sound. The singer Roberto Tiranti is fantastic here. I agree with Progatron's review that it doesn't come across as ‘The Tangent does Italian Prog’ - its a different animal entirely. It is Italian Prog.

It is like what they set out to achieve, a lost minor (or major) classic from the era.

[Jimmy Giant]

Damn, I thought I pre-ordered this but I can't find any confirmation of an order. Have to wait and see if I get it, then order if not.
The Backstage I did received directly from them. Did take a while to get. And I think it had footprints on it.
Typical Baltimore mail delivery....

[mozo-pg]

I received my copy tonight - I think it was $17 Cdn with Amazon Prime delivery. Wonder instrumentation - getting a handle on the vocals (which are fine but I need more time to adapt).

Another good recommendation from Lorne.

[Progatron]

^^ Excellent! I find Tiranti's vocals near perfect for this kind of project, he's able to cover a lot of different ground.

[Plasmatopia]

Finally was able to spin this a couple times. It's good! I like the vocalist even if I have no idea what he's talking about.

[aith01]

Listened to this several times now, and it's lovely. I like Tiranti's vocals too -- although that "fluttering" thing he does occasionally is something I've still not gotten used to. But it doesn't detract from the experience or anything.

Reingold's mix is cool to have and I'm glad it's there, although I definitely prefer the primary mix because of that "authentic 70s Italian prog" sound it has.

Really happy this thing exists and just further reinforces what a talented guy Andy Tillison is.

[Progatron]

I like Tiranti's vocals too -- although that "fluttering" thing he does occasionally is something I've still not gotten used to.

Are you talking about the the little nods to Demetrio Stratos?

[aith01]

Are you talking about the the little nods to Demetrio Stratos?

Oh, is that what that is?! I confess to not having really listened to anything by Demetrio or Area.

Now it makes sense though! I get it now.

One of these days I am going to give Area a shot -- there's only so many hours in the day, and that is one of my blind spots in the progressive rock sphere.

[Progatron]

Oh, is that what that is?! I confess to not having really listened to anything by Demetrio or Area.

If you're talking about the little yodel-sounding vocals, yes. He was well known for that, among his many other vocal quirks. In fact, quirks isn't even the right word, he was like no other vocalist before or since. And Area is a must for Italian fans. But then as you say, only so many hours in the day. We all have our bands we haven't made time for yet. I'm 48 and have listened to music nearly constantly for over 30 years, and have never heard a Fleetwood Mac album. So there you go.

[aith01]

If you're talking about the little yodel-sounding vocals, yes. He was well known for that, among his many other vocal quirks. In fact, quirks isn't even the right word, he was like no other vocalist before or since. And Area is a must for Italian fans. But then as you say, only so many hours in the day. We all have our bands we haven't made time for yet. I'm 48 and have listened to music nearly constantly for over 30 years, and have never heard a Fleetwood Mac album. So there you go.

Yep, that's the thing I was referring to. That was the final piece of the Italian prog puzzle for me, with regard to the album, and now it all slots into place and I understand why it belongs there now. So it's a nod to Demetrio, that's very cool!

There's still a ton of music out there that I haven't gotten around to, but one of these days I am going to make time for Area. I know they're pretty well-revered, and as a fan of Italian prog-rock I do need to hear them.

[Crystal Plumage]

Maestro Della Voce (PFM) was also an homage to Demetrio Stratos and a song about him. Including some of his "yodeling". At least live.
Bassist Patrick Djivas was also in Area.

Anayway. Haven't bought this TRT album yet and I'm not listening before buying. This is one of those albums I want to buy blind and dive in head first. I will be tempted, but the trailer alone tells me I'm going to love this.

[aith01]

^ I think you will love it. Truly sounds like a lost Italian gem from the 70s.

[SRS]

Took a first listen to the Reingold mixes after days of non-stop listening to the primary 70's mix. Is there additional instrumentation here? Or maybe it is just different highlights of instruments. It sounds quite a bit different in places. This is fascinating stuff, I really like both mixes. Wonderful album.

[Progatron]

Took a first listen to the Reingold mixes after days of non-stop listening to the primary 70's mix. Is there additional instrumentation here? Or maybe it is just different highlights of instruments. It sounds quite a bit different in places. This is fascinating stuff, I really like both mixes. Wonderful album.

No, it's just a different mix where he's favoured different aspects than Tillison. I agree, there are noticeable differences, although I prefer the original mix.

[SRS]

The cool thing with these two mixes favoring different things is that now when I hear the other mix I notice the parts that were always there but not really up front. if that makes sense - appreciate both mixes even more now.

I know Swedish Family was mentioned earlier as sort of a spiritual cousin album but I think an even better 'companion album' to Allium can be created by combining the two La Voce Del Vento pieces:

1. Harmonica (22:00) from The Spaghetti Epic (2004)
2. The Bad (24:28) from The Spaghetti Epic 2 (2005)

Makes a very nice album.

La Voce Del Vento is Andy Tillison and Guy Manning (or Andreas Tillison and Guy De M'Anning as credited)

These are part of the Colossus Project series on Musea that as explained in the liner notes used as rules for these albums to use only original 70s keyboards and no programming drum machines nor digital sounds were allowed. The music of the suites were to be in similar style of the early 70's Italian Progressive Rock (bands like Museo Rosenbach, PFM, Banco, Le Orme, Latte e Miele etc. ) along with the Italian prog bands mentioned add in the very clear Ennio Morricone influences to fit the theme of these albums based on classic movies.

I think the Allium album is superior to these two pieces but it's definitely worth checking out for those that are liking this one a lot and want to hear more. In English, and both Guy and Andy sing.

[JKL2000]

I just realized the entire Allium album is on Spotify now.

[spacefreak]

Didn't appreciate at all the "70s" mix. It tries to sound vintage by being very muddy. The end result is that it sounds too artificially fake to be convincing of the atmosphere. The 2021 mix is much more interesting, as it brings forth the details that makes this work interesting.

Nice concept and album.

[aith01]

Didn't appreciate at all the "70s" mix. It tries to sound vintage by being very muddy. The end result is that it sounds too artificially fake to be convincing of the atmosphere. The 2021 mix is much more interesting, as it brings forth the details that makes this work interesting.

Nice concept and album.

Wow, I didn't feel that way at all. I think the 70s mix sounds warm and cozy. I much prefer it to the "2021 mix".

Oh well!

[Crystal Plumage]

^and for this exact reason they provide both.

It's all in the ear of the beholder.

[mozo-pg]

I don't even know the version I own but it sounds pretty bloody good.

[Crystal Plumage]

The CD has both versions.

[Crystal Plumage]

On a more serious note, where to put this on the shelf in the collection?
I have a main section, a Swedish section and an Italian section.
OCD error!

[Progatron]

On a more serious note, where to put this on the shelf in the collection?
I have a main section, a Swedish section and an Italian section.
OCD error!

For me, it goes with the Tangent section, along with a couple of other side projects of Andy's. Not a perfect choice, perhaps, but I'll know where to find it. Not being a proper Italian band, it can't go in my Italian section.