Week of July 18, 2004
Albums:
L'Uomo 1971 Cetra LPX 10; CD: Fonit Cetra (CDM 2037)
Preludio, Tema, Variazioni, Canzona 1972 Cetra LPX 14; CD: Fonit Cetra (CDP 420)
Palepoli 1973 Cetra LPX 19; CD: Fonit Cetra (CDLP 425)
Landscape Of Life 1974 Cetra LPX 32; CD: Fonit Cetra (CDLP 424)
Suddance 1978 CBS 82449; CD: CBS (466 421-2)
Taka Boom (Afrakà, CDEL 2004) - 2001 line-up, new arrangements of old tracks
Live - Uomini e miti (Suoni del Sud/BTF, SS 002, 2004) CD + DVD - live 2001 and
new studio tracks - four-part foldout cover
Personnel:
Danilo Rustici - Guitar, Organ
Elio, D'Anna - Sax, Flute
Lino Vairetti - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Organ, Synthesizer
Lello Brandi - Bass
Massimo Guarino - Drums
Enzo Petrone - Bass
Fabrizio D'Angelo - Keyboards
Osanna were among the better known Italian groups of their time, first formed with the name Citta Frontale in a line-up including Gianni Leone (pre-Balletto Di Bronzo). Their first album, 'L'Uomo', was a useful effort. D'Anna's predominant use of sax and flute sounds partly influenced by King Crimson's Mel Collins and Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. On 'In Un Vecchio Cieco', Danilo Rustici also attempts to copy Robert Fripp's backwards guitar on 'Ladies Of The Road'. The characteristic vocal arrangements were more in line with New Trolls, though. Three of the nine tracks had English lyrics, and this shift between Italian and English lyrics disturbs the natural flow of the album, which also suffers from being too song-oriented.
The 'Preludio...' album was a collaboration with Louis Bacalov, also known for his work with New Trolls and RDM. Their best album, 'Palepoli' (1973), featured only three tracks; 'Oro Caldo' (18:30) was a kind of suite consisting of contrasting sections. The unusual opening segment is related to Arabian music, but is soon followed by Osanna's typical powerful rock. On the other long track, 'Animale Senza Respiro' (21:45), Osanna really sounds like a Mediterranean King Crimson, complete with 'Schizoid Man' saxophones! Their technical ability surpassed their originality. This became increasingly evident on 'Landscape Of Life' (1974). Overall this was more commercial, with throwaway rock ballads such as the title track, and even soul on 'Fog In My Mind'! Possibly the band was disappointed with their development - when they broke up, Lino Vairetti and Massimo Guarino formed a new group named Citta Frontale, while Danilo Rustici and Elio D'Anna formed Uno.
Taken from Scented Gardens of the Mind - A guide to the Golden Era of Progressive Rock (1968-1980) in more than 20 European Countries, by Dag Erik Asbjørnsen, Borderline Productions, ISBN 1-899855-12-2