Italian Instabile Orchestra - Skies of Europe -- rate it

[moneyp]

For our Preacherman. Rate the IIO's "Skies of Europe."

[Steve Reynolds]

of course it gets the highest grade from me - for the opening suite which is among the best things I have ever heard

chills every time

[Brian Olewnick]

I'll try to play it in the next couple of days--don't remember it well enough to rate it right now...

[Steve Reynolds]

that doesn't bode well for a good rating

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

that doesn't bode well for a good rating

I haven't played this in awhile, either. My memory is 3.5 but I'll have to play it again and see where I rate it now. I'll get to it no later than tomorrow.

[Brian Olewnick]

OK, I have this on now. The beginning and end of the first suite, "Maestro Muratore", which I'm guessing is the chill-producing part for Steve, is indeed very attractive, a melodic gallop that rivals the better parts of Minafra's "Sudori" for pure, giddy joy. The four interior movements, while ok, don't do so much for me.

Gaslini's piece is more in the fashion of a solid, post-mainstream piece with avant soloing. Not bad, but nothing to get very excited about. The IIO, like many modern big bands, gets a little ponderous to my ears. Very tight, yes, with a nice amount of playfulness, but lacking the Ellingtonian lightness that I prefer hearing in large jazz ensembles. The Satie-oriented track is very enjoyableand the closing "Fellini Song" almost gets there, again too heavily paced to really get that Rota feel.

[Dan G]

It's been a few years since I played it, but I remember it as being a bit too serious (for lack of a better term). I really like the modern Italian jazz scene - Minafra, Actis Dato, Schiafinni, et al are usually pretty entertaining, with a nice blend of humor and music. But I think this one suffers a bit from wanting to be a serious classical work in places (could be the ECM curse - playful is not an adjective I'd ascribe to much of the ECM output).

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by Gordon B

I haven't played this in awhile, either. My memory is 3.5 but I'll have to play it again and see where I rate it now. I'll get to it no later than tomorrow.

My favorite section was the Mingus like part of the Gaslini piece. I enjoyed the music quite a bit but it's not on the level of the best Breuker or VAO, IMO. Some parts gelled better than others but it was an enjoyable listen overall so I stick to 3.5.

[Lois Gilbert]

I think rating records is not necessary since you're reviews can say it all.

Is there a reason why some of you have decided to do this?

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

Is there a reason why some of you have decided to do this?

The practice here was initiated by a calculator with legs.

[gnhrtg]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

Is there a reason why some of you have decided to do this?

Any more than why people post their thoughts and opinions about records and other matters here, elsewhere and in fact all around the board? It's not necessarily the necessity of it but simply some people's being curious about other's opinions or wanting to share theirs. I don't feel that it is/was necessary for me to post this but I did, maybe it was, though, one can't tell, can one?

[Lois Gilbert]