Le Orme - L'Infinito (2004)

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Le Orme - L'Infinito (2004)

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L'infinito is the final installment of the trilogy that Le Orme began with Il Fiume. In terms of style, it closely mimics Elementi, including the Satriani style guitar early on and the sitar around the middle. In terms of quality, it's perhaps half a notch below Elementi, but still a pretty good album. Aldo Tagliapietra makes a thematic return to Indian spirituality, with tracks like "Shanti" and a roadsign on the cover with an OM symbol on it. Incidentally, the Paul Whitehead cover is again moderately clever, but this time more visually appealing to me.
The high point of this album is the title track. Despite the use of an orchestral patch on the keyboard with which I'm not entirely enraptured, "L'infinito" begins with a classy Baroque-inspired piece that leaves most bands with similar pretentions looking silly. The song then segues into a march with Aldo's soulful performance adding poignancy to the brooding atmosphere provided by Michele Bon's keyboards. The march section is later reprised to bring the album to a fitting close. Other pearls on this album include Andrea Bassato's violin on "Si Puo' Immaginare", which reminds me a little of PFM, and a more convincing performance on sitar by Aldo Tagliapietra. He's obviously been spending time with his guru, because after a pedestrian start "La Ruota del Cielo" has a nice play-off between sitar and violin. He's still not Ravi Shankar though.

Le Orme have skated on very thin ice here. By producing an album that is virtually a repeat of Elementi, they have had to rely heavily on their songwriting skills and musicianship to carry this album through. Fortunately both of these facets are as good as they have been at any time since Contrappunti. As far as I am concerned, Le Orme have completed a worthy trilogy, but anybody who was dubious about Elementi should avoid this one.

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I always got the feeling of "something missed" when I listened to classical LE ORME's albums from 70s (except for tiny Piccola Rapsodi Dell'ape, what a masterpiece!). Now everything on its own places.
Sounding a lot like IQ's "Dark Matter" released the same year, "L'Infinito" is spacy, pompous (in a good way!) and even more melodical then usually ;-) .I've noticed that so many bands release their best albums during later years - just to mention CAMEL, CLEARLIGHT, IQ and Peter Gabriel! Same goes to LE ORME - "L'Infinito" is just stunning and incredible. It has ballads ("La Voce Del Silenzio", "Tra La Luna E Il Sole"), fiery instrumental pieces (" Shanti", "Come Onde Sull'Oceano") ,mini-epics with breath-taking culminations ("Canto","Si Puт Immaginare")even sitar-driven song!(" La Ruota Del Cielo"). The sound of Guitar Synth reminds me of Steve Rothery's sound ("Il Tuono E La Luce"). Honorable mention gets the title dramatic piece - "L'Infinito" has one of the best musical themes I heard last years!!! Impatiently waiting for the new one, because "ETERNITY" (English for "L'Infinito") is endlessly beautiful!

A Masterpiece of Progressive Rock and a Must for every fan of it!

~ Prog-jester, Progarchives

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Le Orme - L'Infinito (2004)

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Le Orme:

Excellent early-70's Italian progressive trio (still around today) with classical stylings, featuring keyboards to the fore and a unique dreamy/powerful style. Le ORME was one of the three major Italian groups, the other two being PFM and BANCO. This band is usually considered as the Italian EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER and even BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO by the Italian singing. Its music is based upon organ developments and soli reminding Seventies groups which works are essentially built upon keyboards parts.

The band's truly classic period begins with their third next releases. "Uomo Di Pezza" (1972) is one of Le Orme's definitive Italian progressive rock albums. Although there is definitely an significant EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER influence here, as in the bombastic Moog and Hammond workouts countered by mellow balladry. It's not quite as integrated a feel as would characterize their next two albums, "Felona E Sonora" and "Contrappunti", though its fantastic nonetheless, and one of Le ORME's three essential albums. "Collage" and especially "Florian" offer a music tinged with classical music. "Felona E Sonora" (1973) is probably one of my top favorite Italian progressive rock albums. "Contrappunti" (1974) is another fantastic Le ORME album, and really the close of their classic trilogy. This album would effectively close out the band's streak of success.

"In Concerto" is an excellent live album from 1974 with many unreleased tracks. "Piccola Rapsodia Dell' Ape" is more recent, an excellent mixing of Progressive and Italian baroque music. "Collage" and especially "Florian" offer a music tinged with classical music. In 1993 the Japanese progrock label Crime Records released the 2-CD Live ORME with live-material from '75-'77. An far more captivating document than "In Concerto" from '74.

Their story goes on. After PICCOLA RAPSODIA DELL'APE (1980), in 1982 the band decides to break up. In 1986 they rejoin only for concerts but in 1990 a further work is issued (ORME). In 1992 Tony Pagliuca leaves the band, replaced by Michele Bon. That year they obtain the title of best Live-Act band seen in Italy. They never give up symphonic prog and their further works show it clearly. In spite of the success obtained by their live performances, in 1996 they publish a suite (IL FIUME). After obtaining a great success at the Los Angeles PROG FEST and at the PROG EAST in Quebec, they commit themselves to the new work which will be finished in 2001 (ELEMENTI). This latter, together with IL FIUME, will be part of a trilogy completed, in 2004, by L'INFINITO. The trilogy, a mix of songs and instrumental pieces, tells about the mankind through the 4 elements of the universe. In 2005 they are invited at the NEARFEST concert in Pennsylvania. Their music may well be considered as a continuous commitment in PROG ROCK: over the last 42 years they never gave up their passion. They also tried to convey PROG Rock to the people by participating to song contests such as Festival di Sanremo, a very popular TV music happening in Italy. Le Orme is one of the few foreigner bands who have been produced by a British label. The Famous Charisma Label issued FELONA E SORONA in English, lyrics by Peter Hammil, after their tour in England in 1973.

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Le Orme - L'Infinito (2004)

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Le Orme - L'Infinito (2004)

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