Week of May 20, 2001
LP:
L'Uovo Di Colombo (1973) EMI - 3C 064 17889
45:
L'Indecisione/Turba (1973) EMI - 3C 006 17892
Personnel:
Enzo Volpini - keyboards, guitar
Elio Volpini - bass, guitar, vocals
Ruggero Stefani - drums
Toni Gionta - vocals
L'Uovo Di Colombo was another extremely unlucky group. Various music magazines of the era did them no favours, and EMI, their label, didn't promote the band - not bothering with any advertising whatsoever. The group was invited to participate in the third avant-garde festival of Naples but, unfortunately, they didn't get to play there. In spite of this, they managed to record a beautiful album in 1973, where 'pure' and symphonic rock go hand in hand perfectly, without any undue influences from foreign prototypes, apart from just slight hints of Keith Emerson.
The phrasings between vocals and keyboards (as in "Vox Dei") are evocative and overwhelming, especially on the cut that was chosen as their single release, "L'Indecisione". In addition to the very good vocals and keyboards, a mention is due to the rhythm base driven by powerful drummer Ruggero Stefani. Their sole, eponymous album is, therefore, a must-have for every serious rock collector. After this release, the group disbanded, and Ruggero Stefani went on to Samadhi, while Elio Volpini joined Etna and later Flea.
Taken from "The Return of Italian Pop" by Paolo Barotto (Vinyl Magic VM201, 8016158220124)
Vinyl Magic/BTF web site: www.btf.it