PFM Premiata Forneria Marconi/FL,USA 2019

PFM, the leading Italian progressive rock group, had a spectacular performance in Japan last year. The latest live album is now available. This work was recorded on “February 5, 2019.” This is a scene from the annual shipboard music event “CRUISE TO THE EDGE.” The event was held on a luxury cruise ship sailing around the Caribbean, and some of the most famous progressive rock bands were on board. It’s a dream-like project where you can cruise while enjoying live music on board. Every year, a variety of bands participate, and this year’s event is also spectacular. Steve Hackett, Mike Portnoy, Phish, Neal Morse, Adrian Belew POWER TRIO, BRAND X, SOFT MACHINE, etc. More than 30 groups of progressive rock heroes, old and new, participated. This work is an audience recording that records the PFM stage of such “CRUISE TO THE EDGE”. This event is also attracting attention as a treasure trove of the finest recordings. Live performances are held in various locations on the ship, such as the ship’s hall and poolside, but the sound is always good no matter where you go. Perhaps thanks to the facilities unique to luxury cruise ships, or perhaps because of the quietness of the ocean, a number of super-excellent audience recordings are produced every year. In 2018 alone, we introduced YES, Carl Palmer’s ELP LEGACY, Hackett, and SAGA. This work is also the latest version in 2019. In fact, the quality of this work is superb. PFM seems to have been an outdoor poolside stage, but that’s why it wasn’t clouded by the echoes, and the thick core jumped directly into it. What’s more, since it’s poolside, the band and PA are right in front of you, much closer than the cheers that erupt between songs. There is no mistaking it for a sound board because you can hear the loud voices of a ship (in the distance), but the performance and singing voice itself is a super-excellent sound that is no different from a line recording. The show drawn with that quality is similar to last year’s performance in Japan, but it is similar. Currently, they are still touring for their latest work “EMOTIONAL TATTOOS”, so the basics are similar, but the new songs are limited to only two songs “Il Regno” and “La Danza Degli Specchi”, and the rest are golden 70’s numbers. It is also a collection of delicious songs from the era of “Genso Monogatari” and “Phantom Picture”. The balance itself is also applicable to the Japanese performance, but “Photos Of Ghosts” and “Alta Loma Five ‘Till Nine” are masterpieces that could not be heard even in the Japan album “TOKYO 2018 FINAL SHOW” that we reported on. Furthermore, the ensemble also reminds me of the Japanese performance. As expected, violinist Lucio Fabbri was unable to participate, and Alessandro Bonetti took his place. He is also known as a member of DEUS EX MACHINA, a super-technical group that represents modern Italian progressive rock, and even in DEUS EX MACHINA he performed violins reminiscent of PFM. For that reason, it is an excellent compatibility with the original PFM, dancing the lines of Mauro Pagani vividly and powerfully. And, of course, the point is Franz di Cioccio. Although he plays double drums with Roberto Gaudi, Choccio himself performs harsh moves, and his deep singing voice is still alive and well. “La luna nuova” and “Alta Loma Five ‘Till Nine”, which heat up towards the end, can be fully enjoyed with super extreme sounds. “CRUISE TO THE EDGE” is becoming a famous brand for high quality recording. This is a live album that will be the PFM version and is the latest version that will further enhance its reputation. A masterpiece that allows you to fully enjoy the masterpieces of yesteryear and the latest PFM ensembles, played in the quality of a soundboard. Live At Pool Stage, Royal Caribbean Brilliance Of The Seas, En Route from Tampa, Florida to Key West, Florida, USA 5th February 2019 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND (58:57) 1. Il Regno 2. La Luna Nuova 3. Photos Of Ghosts 4. La Carrozza di Hans 5. La Danza Degli Specchi 6. Romeo e Giulietta 7. Mr Nine ‘Till Five 8. Alta Loma Five ‘Till Nine 9. E Festa 10. Impressioni di Settembre incl. Band Introduction Franz Di Cioccio – vocals, drums, percussion Patrick Djivas – bass Alessandro Bonetti – violin Marco Sfogli – electric and acoustic guitars Alessandro Scaglione – keyboards, backing vocals Roberto Gualdi – drums, percussion Alberto Bravin – keyboards, electric and acoustic guitars, vocals