Faveravola
come from Treviso and began life in 1998 on the initiative of
Giancarlo Nicorelli and Adriano Durighetto. In the seventies both
founder members militated in local bands that never had the chance to
record an album, bands such as Diamond Red, Dinoterium and Dawson.
After a long hiatus they decided to start playing again to make their
musical dreams come true and so they gathered around them a new group
of musicians to work on old and new ideas. In 2006 Faveravola finally
released a debut album on the independent label Lizard Records with a
line up featuring Giancarlo Nicorelli (keyboards, narrative vocals),
Adriano Durighetto (bass), Paolo Coltro (drums, percussion),
Alessandro Bonotto (acoustic guitar), Franco Violo (vocals), Consuelo
Marcon (violin) and Gianluca Tassi (electric guitar) plus some guests
such as Luca Boldrin (flute), Ivan and Nicola Durighetto (recorder)
and Tiziana Carraro (vocals). The result of their efforts is an
interesting concept album that tells of a metaphoric journey through
the dreamy land depicted on the album cover and in the booklet by
Marta De Martin. The overall sound is soft and folksy and conjures up
calm, pastoral landscapes while the enthusiasm and passion of all the
people involved in this project shines through...
The
dreamy opener "L'antefatto" (Preamble) introduces the
subject matter and sets the atmosphere. Every now and again it
reminds me of Procol Harum and features narrative vocals explaining
that what really matters in a man's life is his imagination. You have
to follow your dreams, fighting for your freedom and against every
form hypocrisy and conformism... All in all, who can be sure that
fantasy never meets reality?
The
slow paced "Lo specchio" (The mirror) tells of a man who
looks at his face in a mirror... What is left of his dreams? Suddenly
he feels his soul flying away, his reflected image breaks through the
mirror and he's in some way catapulted in a fairytale world generated
by his own dreams. The following "La Contea dei Cento Castagni"
(The County of the Hundred Chestnut Trees) describes this dreams that
come true with calm tones and soft organ passages that every now and
again remind me of the liturgical atmosphere of a Catholic mass post
Second Vatican Council. The man is now a knight who has to defend
peace, love and justice...
Next
comes "La foresta degli elfi alati" (The forest of the
winged elves) where the rhythm rises and the music conjures up a
light sense of mystery... Now the knight is riding in his new world
and has to cross a forest where every leaf is an eye and an ear of
the strange inhabitants of this magic place, the elves. These
creatures warn the knight about the dangers that he'll find along his
road, he has to cross an old gloomy world to meet his destiny, the
real world will set ambushes and every sort of waylays... Only his
generous heart and his honour can save the knight! The following
"L'incontro" (The meeting) features a Medieval flavour and
could recall some works of the Italian minstrel Angelo Branduardi.
There are male and female vocals interpreting a dialogue between the
protagonist and his soul. After the breakaway, the protagonist's soul
comes back with words of hope and a particular gift, her eyes on the
wings of the wind...
"Il
sogno" (The dream) could recall Le Orme from the pre-Collage
period. The music and vocals describe the gratitude of the
protagonist for his new world where he can live his dreams. His voice
soars like a prayer towards the sky... Next comes the long, slow "La
Piana dei Temoli del Livenza" (The plain of the graylings of the
Livenza River) that features lengthy narrative vocals and describes a
surreal dialogue between the protagonist and the Livenza River that
speaks words of wisdom and hope. The voice of the river here is
interpreted by the special guest Aldo Tagliapietra, historic member
of Le Orme.
The
epic "Lo scontro" (The fight) describes in music and lyrics
the fight between the protagonist and the enemies that are
threatening his new realm: the ferocious, merciless Hypocrisy and
Infamy... The fighting is hard, the sword of the knight breaks and
his injuries seem to be lethal... But suddenly his sword comes to a
new life, his injuries generate the notes of a powerful music that
hits hard into the heart. Time stands still, the enemies are defeated
and the dream lives on...
"Danza
di Messer Reale e Madonna Fantasia" (Dance of Mister Reality and
Lady Fantasy) is another track with a strong Medieval atmosphere that
describes an imaginary dance between a clumsy, armoured knight and a
beautiful lady, the metaphors of Reality and Fantasy... They dance
all night long, until dreams and reality get mixed together... Then
comes the melodic ballad "Leggenda della foglia, della vita e
del vento" (Legend of the leaf, of the life and of the wind)
where life is compared to a falling leaf, carried by the wind. Only
if you will learn how to listen to its music that leaf would land on
your hands and will live on...
"Neorinascimento"
(New rebirth) is a nice ballad with a positive feeling that recalls
Le Orme and that conjures up the image of a mother walking hand in
hand with is little child... The knight now understands that building
a new world based upon love is not impossible: an idea that once was
nothing but a dream could come true... The dreamy closer "La
strada ai confini di..." (The road on the border of...) invites
you to search for your own way to the magic world of dreams: it could
be a hard, long journey but you have to be brave and march forward
along the borders of your imagination to reach your destination...
There you'll meet the knight and his lady, it is there that you will
discover if this magic country is just dream or reality...
On
the whole, a pleasant album for Italian prog lovers who who prefer
soft, calm atmospheres
Faveravola:
La contea dei cento castagni (2006). Other opinions:
Jim
Russell: The music is pleasant, well played, and easy going. But
it's just a background for the story. Most of the music is just
nicely done soft rock with a steady beat and safe, somewhat generic
new-agey mood, and really not that remarkable. Occasionally someone
will break out with a lovely interlude or an impressive guitar solo
but those moments are few and far between. It's just not going to
knock you out like your favorite PFM or QVL album. Now if you are
looking solely for that mellow, pastoral experience to relax to then
maybe this will work for you... (read the complete review HERE)
Ken
Levine: It is rare that any album contains so many gorgeous and
timeless melodies that many listens will be required to absorb its
full breadth. Luckily this is not a chore but a blessing. The rich
production and the delicate fullness are a reward each time...
(read the complete revie HERE)
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