Customer Reviews

Ad Gloriam

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the finest undiscovered gems of foreign psychedelia that has been unleashed on the world in today's modern re-release frenzy.

And thank whatever god you usually thank for this...

'Ad Glorium' is probably the prettiest, lightest, and most alluring album of the 60's to ever be dug up. It is an album where everything is designed to make you RELAX and lay back and think about nothing except how wonderful a world it is where music like this exists...

Most of the music comes off like instrumentals, even with vocals. The vocals, since they are in Italian, act like vocals should act...another instrument...and these fellows know how to use their instruments with style, grace and strength.

Words fail at describing what a great recording this is. If you're a fan of Mutantes, Italian soundtracks (Beat et Cinecitta) or excessively beautiful psychedelia, you must buy this. And then be sure to lavish me with praise for the wit and insight of my reviews.

This, is their debut album from 1969, although they released a few singles before then (since 1967). Ad Gloriam was actually the first Le Orme album I've heard, which is basically psychedelic pop, but well done for the most part, although there are two cuts I can live without, "Mita Mita" and "Fiori Di Giglio". That last one features some pretty wretched strings and horns near the end. Of course, don't buy Ad Gloriam expecting another Uomo di Pezza, Felona e Sorona, or Contrappunti. At this early point in their career, they were a five piece. Toni Pagliuca, Michi dei Rossi, and Aldo Tagliapietra are all here, as well as Nino Smeraldi and Claudio Galieti. You won't find any music here that remotely resembles the classic prog they did in 1971-1974. But there's one thing that this album and a later one like Felona E Sorona has in common is the unmistakable voice of Aldo Tagiapietra. In fact if you heard Ad Gloriam, then Felona, you'd think Aldo fronted completely different bands although most of the band was intact, except for Smeraldi and Galieta (who left by the time the band signed for Philips in '71), for Felona. The music here really suffers from a lack of maturity, and in fact that's what leads to the charm to it. It sounds cheesy at times, but most of it doesn't really bother me. If you're new to Le Orme, start with Felona E Sorona first, then their other classics from 1971-1974 before this one.

This recording will take you back to the magical summer of incense and peppermints in no time at all. The early version of Le Orme -- five members, instead of three -- present the sweet sounds of the "Summer of Love" -- Italian Style. This version of Le Orme reminds me more of Traffic instead of ELP.

Le Orme are masters at using their instruments and vocals to absolute perfection. Just listen to the second track of this CD, "Ad Gloriam," where Le Orme uses instruments and background vocals to deliver a sweet, relaxing musical piece.

This CD is excellent. The music is fantastic and the sound quality is terrific. This CD is a must, even if you do not understand Italian. Once you listen to this CD, you will get hooked on Le Orme music.

I definitely recommend this CD.

I was surprised by the good sound quality as I own well over a dozen CDs by this band and am more impressed by the compositions and performance than the sound. The prior posts are accurate in that this is not your typical Le Orme release, but most worthwhile. This release does not sound as flat as other CDs released by Phillips. (...)

"Fiori e Colori" è il primo "successo" delle Orme, track compreso in questo CD compilatorio dei loro primi brani datati fine degli anni '60. Il suono del Hammond di Pagliuca ci riporta subito alle tastiere di Keith Emerson dei "Nice" e le voci in tono di falsetto di Tagliapietra ai primi "Traffic". Canzoni brevi, ballate d'una impronta classica che evocano i coterranei "I Nomadi" ma con testi e musiche composte dai primi cinque integranti. Dopo di questo LP uscirà la loro opera prima "Collage" con la formazzione triangolare che ci riporta agli E.L.&P. di Pagliuca,Tagliapietra & Dei Rossi. Per colezzionisti.