FIRST AND LAST

Cammello Buck was the name of a Roman band that took form in 1971 with a line up featuring Paolo Rustichelli (keyboards, vocals), Pino Belardinelli (guitar), Mauro Morlacchi (bass) and Carlo Bordini (drums). The band had a good live activity and in 1972 was in the bill of the Villa Pamphili Pop Festival. With Pasquale Cavallo (from Panna Fredda) replacing Mauro Morlacchi, they signed a deal with the Delta label but, unfortunately, the band just managed to record some demos and two pieces for the score of the 1972 film Don Camillo e i giovani d'oggi directed by Mario Camerini. In 1973 Paolo Rustichelli and Carlo Bordini dropped the name Cammello Buck and went on as a duo releasing under their names an interesting debut album on the RCA label, entitled Opera Prima, completely based on keyboards and drums, with a few vocal parts...

The beautiful opener “Natività” (Nativity) is an excellent instrumental piece where dreamy, relaxed parts are blended with frenzied jazz rock passages giving form to an almost mystical atmosphere that, in some way, I think is well represented by the image on the art cover...

Next comes “Icaro” (Icarus), a long, complex track where the music and the hoarse, almost surly vocals of Paolo Rustichelli evoke gloomy, metaphorical labyrinths and the desperate desire to escape from them taking off in a vortex of rage and fear in a bold attempt to reach the sky. Two white wings are flying up and up until they suddenly fall down like and angel cast away from paradise in tears that prays for God’s mercy...

The ethereal “Dolce sorella” (Sweet sister) begins by a church like organ solo introduction, then the music and words conjure up an atmosphere of hope and almost religious expectation with vocals soaring like a prayer to a white goddess, a sweet sister that you can find into your heart and into your mind, a merciful force that can light up your dreams and help you in case of need...

“Un cane” (A dog) begins by a delicate piano intro. The mood is melancholic, the music and lyrics draw the image of a man who walks alone in the street, free as a dog... The man stops in a parking lot and finds his home under the sky, in the dark. He’s just a homeless that nobody helps. Nobody cares of him, not even those who profess to be Christians and call themselves true believers...

“E svegliarsi in un giorno” (Waking up one day) comes from the repertoire of Cammello Buck and a first version of this piece was included in the soundtrack of the aforementioned 1972 film with English lyrics and another title, “To wake up in the morning”. It’s a good track with hermetic lyrics that evoke rage and fear, faith and hope and, most of all, the desire of a new start in the morning, when the world of dreams slowly melts giving way to the threatening insolence of the real world...

The long, complex “Camellandia” starts softly by a dreamy piano pattern, then the rhythm rises driving you through imaginary landscapes full of colours and of exotic flavours. It’s a beautiful instrumental piece that ends the album with a strong cinematic atmosphere...

On the whole, a very good work! Unfortunately, the project didn’t last long and Paolo Rustichelli and Carlo Bordini parted ways soon after the album was released. So, their first opus was also the last...

You can listen to the complete album HERE

Rustichelli e Bordini: Opera Prima (1973): Other opinions:
Jim Russell: The cover photo never fails to get a smile when I look at it. This Italian album from the classic period is pure keyboard heaven and I believe that vintage keyboards and drums are the only instruments used here... (read the complete review HERE)
Paul Fowler: The standard of playing is not surprisingly excellent as in the main are the compositions, surprisingly mature considering the young age of Rustichelli, the only downside being some decidedly rough vocals... (read the complete review HERE)