Search - De De Lind :: Io Non So Da Dove Vengo

Flesh & Blood of Italian Prog of the 70s

Golovanov Alexey | Limassol, Cyprus | 06/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

""De De Lind" (named after Playboy model of the 60s - don't know why) is the best (to my humble opinion) of Italian progressive rock bands of the 70s, and one of the top acts of the genre. The talent, creativity and performance are well above more fortunate "PFM" (patronized by ELP), "Le Orme" or "New Trolls". There is an influence of earlier bands ("De De Lind" didn't exist in isolation), but music is absolutely original and flawless. In fact, this album is a classical Requiem (or a funeral service, designed strictly in accordance with the canons of classical music) and performed with almost monastic fervour. It starts with macabre and menacing "Fuga e morte" (The fugue/fugitive is dead) and goes trough angelic pastoral pieces (baroque flute and strings) into battle hymns with manic drumming and screaming guitars. It is an accomplished concept, which is permanently developing, different musical themes are interplaying and inter-connected and obediently serve the main idea.

The band started in Milan around 1969 (first as a beat/pop sexted), then moved towards rockier tunes; within five years of performing and recording they've released 3 (three!) singles of no musical interest (maybe for the collector of oldies only).

The band was: Vito Paradiso (vocals - excellent, could sound masculine and dangerous, soft and romantic, but never pretentious and false); Gilberto Trama (flute, sax, keyboards); Matteo Vitolli (guitar, percussion, piano, glute); Eddy Lorigiola (bass); Ricky Rebajoli (drums, percussion).

In 1973 De De Lind recorded for "Mercury" their only masterpiece - "Io Non Sa Da Dove Vengo E Non So Dove Mai Andro. Uome E Il Nome Che Mi Han Dato" - "I don't know where I am coming from, nor I know where I am going to. Man is the name given to me"; not without Biblical references. The main concept of the album was "Catharsis" - purification of a soul through torment, a voyage from purgatory to resurrection.

The album (which shaped Italian prog) didn't score well, and "De De Lind" disbanded. It didn't exist in vacuum - see my list (just for reference and to learn more).

The CD is an absolutely must."