Week of April 11, 1999

Quella Vecchia Locanda

"Quella Vecchia Locanda" (1972) Help! - ZSLH 55091
"Il Tempo Della Gioia" (1974) RCA-TPL1 1015

Massimo Roselli: Keyboards, Vocals
Giorgio Giorgi: Vocals, Flute
Patrick Traina: Drums, Percussion
Romualdo Coletta: Bass
Raimondo Maria Cocco: Guitar, Vocals
Donald Lax: Violin
Claudio Filice: Violin

Formed in Rome in 1972. They chose this strange name because of a place where they had rehearsed, a former inn. In the same year, Quella Vecchia Locanda debuted live at the Villa Pamphili pop festival to a very good public acclaim, and published their first record: it remains one of the best albums ever to come out in Italy from any group. Though their style has some influences from abroad (particularly Jethro Tull), their playing still contains a lot of new ideas. Their efforts to combine classical and rock music are very well conceived, above all in the piano/violin duets with a Vivaldi-like approach. The album is totally without faults; it's very easily listenable and - like their live work - highlights the violins. In spite of the fine success, with favorable responses from critics and public, they switched recording labels. Several members left: violinist Claudio Filice and bass player Massimo Giorgi (ex-Ritratto Di Dorian Gray) took the places of Lax and Coletta. With this new line-up the group released its second album, titled, "Il Tempo Della Gioia". This record is rather mannered and - though conserving some valid elements - lacks the brashness of the first album. The first side is clearly better than the second one, with a very good cut, 'Il Tempo Della Gioia'. It did not, however, achieve the success of their previous work. After this, the group disbanded. The design and graphics of both albums are very fine with beautiful fold-out covers.

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