Freedom to Music
Posts tagged Marco Zoccheddu
Osage Tribe – Arrow Head (1972) (@256)
13 Oct 2009
(Review from italianprog.com, progarchives.com)
Osage Tribe were formed in 1971 by Franco Battiato, then working as pop singer, with his loyal drummer Cucciolo, guitarist Marco Zoccheddu who had just left Nuova Idea and bass guitarist Bob Callero. Battiato found a recording deal but soon left the band, just singing on their first single Un falco nel cielo (added as bonus tracks in English and Italian), before starting his solo career; the single is rather commercial and was also used for a popular TV quiz show at the time.
The remaining trio, based in Genova, a prolific city for many great bands, veered towards a more aggressive sound and released their only outing, Arrow Head, in 1972, a five tracks album that’s still regarded as one of the finest in its genre. Mainly hard rock based, but with strong progressive influences rather than solo parts with some jazzy influences.
The opening track Hajenhanhowa it starts as a psychedelic and “loaded” number, turns into some sort of world music song once the main and repetitive theme “Hajenhanhowa” starts. The contrast is quite a shock — a tribal song played by an Italian band. The title track is strongly on the heavy side. “Arrow Head” features a wild beat: drumming is absolutely impressive and the psychedelic atmosphere is not alien to this song either. The bass play is really amazing as well.
There are jazzy influences during the chaotic “Cerchio Di Luce”. This track sounds more as a jam session amongst friends than a structured progressive Italian song. “Osage Tribe” even more digs into the heavy rock territories during the longest track of this album: “Soffici Bianchi Veli” is heavy guitar mixed with a serious attraction for jamming. “Orizzonti Senza Fine” follows its footsteps and closes the album.
Line-up:
- Marco Zoccheddu / guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals
- Bob Callero / bass, vocals
- Ninzio “Cucciolo” Fava / drums, vocals
- Franco Battiato / vocals (6, 7)
Track List:
01. Hajenhanhowa – 9:38
02. Arrow Head – 5:16
03. Cerchio Di Luce – 7:19
04. Soffici Bianchi Veli – 9:40
05. Orizzonti Senza Fine – 8:21
06. Un Falco Nel Cielo (Bonus) – 2:58
07. Prehistoric Sound (Bonus) – 2:57
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Nuova Idea – In the Beginning (1971) (@256)
10 Oct 2009
(Review from italianprog.com)
The origins of the group lay in the 60s, after many concerts the name Nuova Idea was chosen in 1970 for their first single but the real success came in 1971 when the band played at the first Viareggio Pop Festival. A 20-minute long “Come, Come, Come” made it to the festival sampler.
Their first studio album, “In the Beginning” by their label with none of the musicians knowing about it.
It features an early psychedelic heavy 70s sound with predominant strong guitar riffs, rough vocals and few keyboards/flutes added here and there. The first side has the side-long “Come, Come, Come”, while on the other side there are four shorter songs in a more melodic style (three of these had already appeared on the band’s early singles).
After this debut album, guitarist Marco Zoccheddu, a leading figure in their concerts, left the band to form Osage Tribe.
Line-up:
- Marco Zoccheddu / guitar, vocals
- Claudio Ghiglino / guitar, vocals
- Giorgio Usai / keyboards
- Enrico Casagni / bass, flute, vocals
- Paolo Siani / drums, vocals
Track List:
01. Come,come,come… – 20:02
02. Realta – 4:08
03. La Mia Scelta – 3:39
04. Non Dire Niente…(Ho Gia Capito) – 4:19
05. Dolce Amore – 3:58
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