Post Description

Studio Album, released in 1976, Italy.

Tweede album van deze Italiaanse Prog Folk formatie.

An original mix of soft progressive and avantgarde atmospheres is the distinctive sound of PIERROT LUNAIRE, highly regarded among foreign collectors though not particularly representative. Still, over the course of their two albums, this band draw from a broad set of influences as diverse as FAUST, PFM and DEBUSSY for their eclectic, unpredictable sound.

This is one of those "the whole is more than the sum of its parts" albums. The conceptual glue that holds it all together boosts its rating from 3 to 4 stars. I'm talking about little things like the sound effects that begin many of the tracks, and the short, Gong-like vocal asides that crop up here and there. The songs themselves are all pretty good, although I have a tough time getting all the way through the opening track, which wears out its welcome two or three minutes before it ends (likewise, the bonus track version of the same song, which deletes the wonderful introduction). Darby's vocals may seem new and different to prog music listeners, but as someone who's heard a lot of avant/new music female vocalists, I'd have to say she's only a fair singer. Musically, I feel that this album is miles beyond what their first album presented, with more complex melodies here and there, and less "soloing". A nice addition to the Italian Prog section of your record collection, since it's in a class by itself. 


Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Gudrun (11:27)
2. Dietro il silenzio (2:35)
3. Plaisir d'amour (4:43)
4. Gallia (2:11)
5. Giovane madre (3:47)
6. Sonde in profondit (3:33)
7. Morella (5:01)
8. Mein Armer Italiener (5:15)
9. Gudrun (previously unreleased) (6:48)
10. Giovane madre (previously unreleased) (3:48)

Total Time: 49:08


Line-up / Musicians

- Arturo Stalteri / piano, organ, spinet, cembalo, synth, Glockenspiel, acoustic guitar, recorder, tambourine, violin
- Gaio Chiocchio / electric & acoustic guitar, mandoline, harpsicord, synth, Shaj Baja, zither tirolese, sitar, bell
- Jacqueline Darby / voice
- Massimo Buzz / drums (5, 7, 8)