Biography
Il Balletto di Bronzo
rose out of the ashes of the hard rock band Battitori Selvaggi,
initially coming forth with a sound that mixed psychedelia,
hard rock and proto-progressive on their debut, Sirio 2222.
However, their real moment in the sun would come with the addition
of keyboardist Gianni Leone in 1971 (formerly of the pre-Osanna
ensemble, Citta Frontale), paving the way for a new compositional
style that favored classically inspired arrangements and a distinctly
"progressive" rock sound. Indeed, Leone's arrival as the major
songwriter paved the way for the group's masterpiece, YS, undoubtedly
one of the finest Italian albums of the progressive rock era.
Epitomizing a pattern common among many of the Italian groups,
Il Balletto di Bronzo vanished after their moment of perfection,
parting ways after a final single release in 1973. Gianni Leone
would go on to record two solo albums under the name Leo Nero.
In 1992, an EP
featuring English versions of tracks from YS popped up courtesy
of Italy's Mellow Records, which was followed four years later
by a resurrection of the Il Balletto di Bronzo name for a progressive
rock festival in Rome. The new incarnation of the band featured
Gianni Leone flanked by a new bassist and drummer, and the classic
YS was performed in its entirety. This concert was released
in 1999 as Trys. This show paved the way for Il Balletto di
Bronzo's explosive performance at the North East Art Rock Festival
in Bethlehem, Pennslyvania in 2000, whereby a new generation
of American fans was converted to the band's sound. The trio
is said to be working on original material for a new studio
album. -
Greg Northrup [January 2002]
Source: NEARfest
2000 Program Guide - Robert LaDuca
Sirio
2222 (1970)
This predecessor
to Il Balletto di Bronzo's YS has very little if anything
to do with the sound the group would subsequently develop.
It's probably even inaccurate to apply the same band name to
both releases. Indeed, half of the band would depart after
this effort, paving the way for the definitive flair of Gianni
Leone's personal mark on the group's later incarnation.
A well known phenomenon by now, Sirio 2222 has disappointed
many a prog fan expecting an embryonic version of YS.
With this in mind, sheer curiosity eventually won out, and
not expecting much musically, I thought the album would make
at least an interesting historical document if nothing else.
In the end, Sirio
2222 was kinda what I expected, maybe even a little better
than I expected, but certainly not an essential album.
The sound here is dominated by fuzzed-out guitar, with primary
influences seeming to be Jimi Hendrix, Cream and the like.
The songs are for the most part straightforward hard rock tunes,
with an occasionally pretty, Mediterranean-ish melodic sense
coming through, such as on "Mission Sirio 2222", which also
contains some of the album's most intense, guitar shredding
moments, and the compact, tuneful "Ti Risveglierai con Me",
my favorite track here. Nothing spectacular here, although
YS devotees with a coincidental affinity for hard rock/psych
will likely find something to enjoy.
- Greg Northrup [January 2002]
Click
Here for Tracklist and Lineup Info
Ys
(1972)
Il Balletto di
Bronzo's YS is an unequivocal classic, and stands as
one of the very best albums out of Italy, and perhaps among
the finest examples of dark, heavy progressive. However, newbies
to the Italian scene might want to approach this one with caution,
since it can be tougher to get into than some of the other popular
Italian works. This was one of the first Italian albums I got,
and I was frankly unprepared for it. The pyrotechnic keyboards,
thundering rhythms, the angular, punishing guitars and the abrasive
vocals made for a work that I found initially dense and unrewarding.
For an album that many have hailed as the best progressive rock
album of all time, I was a little disappointed. Of course, I've
come around by now, and certainly hold this album in high regard
as one of the jewels of Italian prog, but that personal anecdote
should serve as a caveat for those expecting to be blown away
immediately, especially if not particularly predisposed towards
the more dissonant branches of progressive rock.
Still,YS
is a complete monster. The music on here is thundering, cacophonous
and simply unrelenting in its sheer, brute force. This also
stands as one of the best keyboard-based albums of all time,
as Gianni Leone employs the full range of classic keys, from
Hammond, moog and mellotron to piano and harpsichord, pitting
them in savage, fiery duels that will absolutely tear your head
off. These are contrasted against violent guitar riffs and surging
basslines, making for a chaotic, mindbendingly complex ride.
The music is punctuated by Leone's caterwauling operatic vocals,
which were perhaps the toughest part of the album to get into,
but are eventually endearing and nothing if not emotional. Take
"Introduzione", an absolute beast of a cut that builds from
volcanic climax to climax, as hammonds and moog duel it out
for supremacy. Take the opening riff of "Epilogo", a brilliant,
arpeggiated theme that simply bursts at the seams with intensity.
The entire album is a series of mindblowing passages, with few
spots of respite to be found. An indispensable Italian classic,
without a doubt. - Greg Northrup [September 2001]
