On 27th August 2022, legendary Italian progrock group Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) appeared as main act at the famous Estival Jazz in Lugano, Switzerland. Of course, PFM is by no means jazz, rather full-blooded prog with influences from folk, baroque and traditional Italian music, however PFM had been invited to perform at the festival back in 2013, whilst in previous years Yes, Jethro Tull and Roger Hodgson appeared, and none of them had a jazz background.
This open-air performance on the Piazza della Riforma included a special touch in the form of two extremely talented guest musicians. Some will remember that Alberto Bravin exchanged his employment at PFM for a role in the permanent line-up of Big Big Train, so a successor was sought and found in the guise of Barock Project frontman Luca Zabbini. Also a versatile musician who plays both keyboards and guitar along with being equipped with an excellent singing voice.
In addition, regular guitarist Marco Sfogli appeared to have appointments that did not fit with the agenda of his employers. A more than adequate solution was found in the form of another Italian prodigy: string virtuoso Matteo Mancuso has built up a considerable reputation as a super-talented guitarist in the jazz-rock scene. At the time of the performance, he was only 25 years old, but his reputation had already preceded him. Despite the relatively short time he had to master the complex material of PFM, he succeeded in a magnificent way, so much so that he managed to put his specific stamp on the music of the Italian legends, no small feat. Just listen to Mancuso’s solos during Quartiere 8 and especially the instrumental Cyber Alpha and La Danza, pure magic.
Furthermore, the band looked largely the same as during the concerts in the Netherlands in 2017. With keyboardist Alessandro Scaglione, violinist Lucio Fabbri, new drummer Eugenio Mori and of course veterans Patrick Djivas on bass guitar and founder Franz Di Cioccio on lead vocals and drums, both now well into their seventies. Di Cioccio’s voice has increasingly been affected by the test of time, which is no surprise, of course.
The repertoire this evening consisted of a cross-section of the material that these musicians and their predecessors have collected in various formations over the past five decades! In 2022 it was exactly fifty years since PFM released its debut album Storia Di Un Minuto. Of course, songs from this iconic album were also played, Impressioni Di Settembre and La Carrozza Di Hans, but the beginning of the show was dominated by a number of relatively new songs from their well received by both press and public 2021 release I Dreamed Of Electric Sheep, or Ho Sognato Pecore Lettriche if you are more Italian-minded. The audience was presented with three songs, including two short instrumentals, from this latest studio album. But also crowd favourites such as Il Banchetto, La Carrozza Di Hans, Photos Of Ghost and Mr 9 Till 5 were performed. A few surprises too: the beautiful Harlequin (surprise: in English!), the relatively unknown Quartiere 8 and a wonderful subdued version of Impressioni Di Settembre.
The festival final chord is set with a short but intense jam session with Fabbri’s violin as the centrepiece, seamlessly followed by an equally short version of Rossini’s William Tell Overture, party song Celebration and finally a quick reprise of Impressioni Di Settembre. Eighty minutes of top-notch live music, by an experienced and disciplined playing ensemble with a mix of musical veterans and young (super) talent.
According to the information from the record label, this is the first appearance in a series of special live (re)releases of exceptional performances by Premiata Forneria Marconi under the name PFM Live Collection. Perhaps not all suitable for a wide audience, but the true connoisseur and fan of Rock Progressivo Italiano cannot be given greater pleasure.
TRACK LISTING
01. Mondi Paralleli (3:03)
02. Il Respiro Del Tempo (6:24)
03. Transumanza Jam (3:23)
04. Impressioni Di Settembre (6:32)
05. Il Banchetto (5:33)
06. La Carrozza Di Hans (7:01)
07. Photos Of Ghost (6:45)
08. Quartiere 8 (6:25)
09. Cyber Alpha (5:25)
10. Harlequin (8:22)
11. La Danza Dei Cavalieri | Il Potere Dell’Amore | Gli Amanti Di Verona (6:05)
12. Mr 9 Till 5 (5:12)
13. Violin Jam (2:55)
14. Ouverture William Tell (1:46)
15. Celebration (3:37)
16. Impressioni Di Settembre (Reprise) (1:23)
Total Time 79:52
MUSICIANS
Franz Di Cioccio – Vocals, Drums
Patrick Djivas – Bass, Keyboards
Lucio Fabbri – Violin, Viola, Backing Vocals
Alessandro Scaglione – Keyboards, Piano, Backing Vocals
Eugenio Mori – Drums
~ With:
Luca Zabbini – Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Piano, MiniMoog, Vocals
Matteo Mancuso – Electric & Acoustic Guitars
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Aerostella
Country of Origin: Italy
Date of Release: 4th May 2024
LINKS
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) – Website | Facebook |YouTube | X