Il
Cerchio d’Oro's roots date back to the seventies when they released
some singles. After a long hiatus, the band came back to life in 2006
and in 2008 released their first full length album, Il viaggio di
Colombo. In 2013 they released an excellent second work on Black
Widow Records, Dedalo e Icaro,
with a consolidated line up featuring veterans Franco Piccolini
(organ, piano, Mellotron, synth), Giuseppe Terribile (bass, acoustic
guitar, vocals), Gino Terribile (drums, gong, vocals) and Piuccio
Pradal (12 string acoustic guitar, vocals) plus a new member, Bruno
Govone (electric guitar). During the recording sessions they were
helped by some prestigious guests such as Pino Sinnone (drums), Marin
Grice (flute, sax), Giorgio "Fico" Piazza (bass), Ettore
Vigo (piano), Daniele Ferro (electric guitar) and Athos Enrile
(mandolin) who contributed to enrich the sound. The new work is a
concept album freely based upon the myth of Daedalus and Icarus where
the music and lyrics do not try to tell in an emphatic way a story
that probably everyone already knows, but rather focus on the
emotions and feelings of the protagonists trying to stir your
imagination. Well, maybe the beautiful art work by Stefano Scagni
describes the content of the album better than all my words...
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| art cover |
The
music and lyrics of the opener "Il mio nome è Dedalo" (My
name is Daedalus) introduce the character of Daedalus and his
challenge. We meet a proud, unscrupulous genius who is able to invent
an endless array of tools and who is jealous of his secrets and of
his craft. The music starts softly, then the rhythm rises following
the course of a baroque vanity. At last Daedalus accepts to build a
labyrinth without a way out for the king of Cnosso and the following
"Labirinto" (Labyrinth) is a beautiful instrumental track
that depicts this challenge trying to evoke all the difficulties of
the project and of its realisation...
The
long, complex "La promessa" (The promise) begins with a
vocal part a cappella, then
the rhythm rises and goes through many changes in mood and atmosphere
and you can feel desperate rage, hope and overwhelming energy. This
track depicts in music an words a man betrayed but still
untamed, prisoner of his work and art. Daedalus is in the labyrinth
now, there's no way out, his world has begun to fall to pieces around
his head but he does not accept his destiny and he's planning an
escape for him and for his beloved son. He swears that he'll find the
way...
Next
comes the calm, dreamy "L'arma vincente" (The winning
means) that describes the feelings of Icarus. He's just an
unconscious, curious boy attracted by the splendour of the sun and
he's sure that his bravery will help him out... Then it's the turn of
"Una nuova realtà" (A new reality), a beautiful track that
announces the end of the nightmare and conjures up a feeling of hope
in a better future. You can dream of a breakthrough obtained
defeating old taboos, soaring in the air and talking to the wind...
"Oggi
volerò" (I'll fly today) describes in music and words the day
of the take off and the strong, fiery emotions of the departure, a
dream that comes true, flying away, higher and higher, towards the
sun... Then the nervous rhythm of the following "Il sogno
spezzato" (The broken dream) takes you back to earth. Icarus is
falling down, his ambitions are melting in the sun like his wings of
wax. For Daedalus it's time for mourn and pity, his moaning will to
fly for ever... Can you hear it?
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| Il Cerchio d'Oro 2013 |
The
last track, "Ora che son qui (Icaro... La fine)" (Now that
I'm here - The end of Icarus), describes Icarus' final lament, his
last thoughts and feelings, his regrets and his pain. Now he's in the
afterlife and asks just for a flower that will bring him another bit
of sunlight... Can you hear him?
On
the whole, I think that this is really a great album. Of course,
every now and again the influence of bands such as PFM, Le Orme, New
Trolls, Delirium or the Trip is apparent, but the band managed to
recreate a vintage atmosphere without sounding out of date nor
derivative and the final result is impressive!
Il
Cerchio d'Oro: Dedalo e Icaro (2013). Other opinions:
Michael
"Aussi-Byrd-Brother": It may not have the same reckless
energy, rough around the edges charm that a lot of the vintage
defining releases had back in the 70's, but there is no denying it is
a high quality album, full of strong melodies and terrific playing.
It's also nice to hear something so upbeat and full of life, from a
band that is really excited and humbled at still having an audience
craving quality Italian progressive music. Definitely one for fans of
the first album after a more sedate pleasing listen, and deeply
romantic Italian progressive bands like Locanda delle Fate...
(read the complete review HERE)
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