Customer Reviews

Photos of Ghosts

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording, released in 1973, was originally a collection of remakes of pieces written for their first two Italian language releases, Per Un Amico and Storia Di Minuto. The difference primarily being that on Photos Of Ghosts the songs were re-done with English lyrics and vocals(with the exception of Il Banchetto). Where this isn't an original recording, but re-makes of earlier releases, it still works brilliantly. This, more so than on later recordings, is a brilliant mix of progressive-rock with that of traditional Italian classical and chamber music. As musicians, PFM were as well trained and proficient as any in the genre. There is not a weak performance or composition in the collection. Highly recommended...Simon

Photos of Ghosts (1973) is the English language version of the album Per un Amico, with both "Celebration", (which was originally included on Storia di un Minuto (1972) as "E Festa"), and the new acoustic instrumental "Old Rain" added on. This is probably one of my favorite albums by the band and demonstrates why PFM was one of the finest bands to emerge from the Italian prog scene. Shades of 1969-1970 period King Crimson all shine through here and there, which is also an endearing quality in my book. Of course, the King Crimson link is further driven home by the association with lyricist Pete Sinfield and the album was originally released on ELP's Manticore label.

The lineup on Photos of Ghosts is considered to be the classic PFM lineup and included Flavio Premoli (synthesizers, piano, Hammond organ, mellotron, and vocals); Franx Di Cioccio (drums and vocals); Giorgio Piazza (bass guitar); the incredible Franco Mussida (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals); and Mauro Pagani (violin and flute). All of the band members are simply sensational musicians and the individual playing and intricate ensemble work is breathtaking. With the exception of Il Banchetto (which is unchanged from the version on Per un Amico), the vocals are in English with a heavy accent - I do not find it the least bit distracting.

The seven tracks on Photos of Ghosts range in length from 3'20" to 8'32". In general, the music is very soft and contemplative, yet also includes the unbelievable instrumental virtuosity and intricate ensemble work that characterizes PFM. Their genius lies in an ability to fuse virtuosity with atmospherics to create truly moving pieces of music. "River of Life" is a good example of this. Analog synthesizers abound in this recording and are showcased on "Il Banchetto".

This is a remarkable album that is very highly recommended along with the debut Storia di un Minuto and The World Became the World (1974). Absolutely wonderful stuff from beginning to end.

I only discovered PFM this year. Somehow I missed them in the 70's. This is a terrific cd. If your into ELP, Yes, Gentle Giant you will love this music. After "Photos" "Chocolate Kings and World became the World are excellent. This rates with the best of ELP, Yes, GG, Genesis etc. Enjoy.

I really enjoyed this album. I found it evoked the early efforts of King Crimson, especially the quieter moments of Lizard and Islands. Also elements of Gentle Giant and ELP. Nice work for sure. The only other PFM I have is World Became the World, which I thought was good but less consistent than this one, which I just picked up on vinyl. Good album. I'll have to find Chocolate Kings now.

PFM is one of the most overlooked progressive rock bands of the 70's. Photos of Ghosts encommpasses everything from classical improvisation to progressive rock stylings, much of the time evident in each track. In listening to the album, influences of such bands as YES, ELP, Genesis and Pink Floyd are evident, all the while keeping with the band's own unique style. I have been searching for a copy on CD of this gem for many years, and I am very pleased to have finally found one. The album is a must have in all progressive rock collections.

PFM along with Banco epitomize the Italian Progressive movement of the seventies. This album as well as Jet Lag, Chocolate Kings, and Passpartu are PFM's finest works.

For ages, I've been a bit hard on Photos of Ghosts, since hearing the original Italian lyrics to Per Un Amico, it shows that the band functioned best singing in their native language. But they still did a good job at breaking the international market singing in English, although their stab at English was no more worse than many of the German bands (like Eloy, Amon Duul II, or Grobschnitt). But for many not living in Italy back in 1973, Photos of Ghosts was most everyone's first exposure to PFM, and it even gave them some recognition here in America. I was born in 1972, so I obviously wasn't there the first time around, but rather my discovery of progressive rock beginning in the late '80s and early '90s while still in my teens (I first heard of PFM in 1992). Per un Amico is simply one of the greatest of Italian prog rock albums ever, it's on a regular top ten Italian prog poll, and is often included in the top ten of prog in general, and for good reason.

Well, the band realized they'd alienate an international audience (and especially the British and American audience) if they didn't record in English. So they got Pete Sinfield to write the lyrics, and had Sinfield's friend (dating back to his King Crimson days) Greg Lake to have it released on Manticore. Well, I have to say the English lyrics seem a bit clumsy for the band, but musically, it's still quite good. I am rather bewildered why they removed the Mellotron and harp intro on "River of Life"? What made the original, "Appena un Po'" so great was that intro which was removed in this new version. Of course the rest keeps all the same great themes and passages. They redo "E Festa" (from Storia di un Minuto, their fantastic debut from earlier in 1972) as "Celebration", it's shorter this time. It was also released as a single, and the flip side was "Old Rain", an instrumental that on LP, you can only find here. It's a mellow piece with violin from Mauro Pagani. "Generale" is now "Mr. Nine Till Five", with vocals added, but all the themes and passages are recognizable. "Il Banchetto" is preserved in its exact same form as on Per un Amico, including the Italian lyrics, so even American listeners get to hear what they sound like in their own language. "Genario" is now "Promenade the Puzzle". Once again, completely recognizable, except for the lyrics, of course. "Per un Amico" is "Photos of Ghosts" (referring to the song), as you guess, much the same, except for the lyrics. Also it needs to be reminded that Pete Sinfield's lyrics are not direct translations, so if you're looking for the actual translations of the lyrics to Per Un Amico, you've come to the wrong place.

The original vinyl (at least the American version) was not of very good quality, you really had to crank it up to hear the quieter passages, like the title track and "Promenade the Puzzle", but at least with the CD you don't have to worry about crackles and other such disturbances.

For years, I was a bit hard on this album, but looking back on it, it gave Americans and the rest of the world a sample of what this great band could offer. Though I prefer the original, this is still worth having.

I first heard this LP upon its initial 1973 release and was truly enamored with the groups unique sound. Orchestral arrangements and classical meanderings in such titles as "Il Banchetto" and "River of Life" left me suitably impressed and eager for new future releases. The translation of original Italian to English lyrics was lacking to some extent but the melodies, progressive and classical, are first rate.

...this is truly powerful music in all the best senses of the word (i.e.; not as bombastic as some inferior prog rock). Although 'Photos of Ghosts' is probably a gentler introduction to the band, 'World Became The World' is, arguably, a more varied and challenging collection of music. Nevertheless, anything PFM produced early to mid '70s is well worth investigating. I return to their work of that period again and again and it has stood the test of time exceptionally well. Pete Sinfield's English lyrics/translations are evocative and suitably poetic and mysterious, and are well-suited to the rich and diverse musical arrangements.

In the early '70s, the only non-English band to produce anything approaching the quality and originality of Yes and Genesis (and the lesser-spotted, 'The Enid'), were the magesterially-monikered, Premiata Forneria Marconi (whisper it quietly, but I think they may even have had the technical/aesthetic edge on Yes and Genesis in some departments). Everything they produced, up until 'Jet Lag' (1977) - including both the later English, and original Italian versions of the magnificent 'World Became The World', and the equally wonderful 'Photos of Ghosts'(and 'Chocolate Kings') - deserves to be in the collection of anyone seriously interested in progressive rock. I've only started purchasing from Amazon quite recently, and these were among my first CD purchases. I was delighted to be able to get hold of the obscure Italian originals, and the English versions, which I had only possessed on vinyl.

All of PFM's albums through this period, though individually distinct entities in and of themselves, are a seamless amalgam of rock, folk, jazz and classical elements. All the players are technically outstanding (as a one-time drummer myself, I am always blown away with the tasteful, effortless fluidity of Franz Di Cioccio's playing). But don't be put off; although they are as technically competent and as adventurous as the most cerebral jazz-rockers, the technical complexity is never allowed to get in the way of good taste and sublime melodies.

The unashamed lyrical romanticism and melodic content of their work is, possibly, largely due to the musical culture of their latin roots. In this respect, it is noteworthy that Genesis were actually being appreciated more enthusiastically on the continent (and in Italy in particular) some time before they acheived the same appreciation back in their homeland. It has been suggested that this might have been due to the continental operatic tradition, in which audiences were primed for, and receptive to, long, multi-layered, complex musical forms.

Anyway, whatever the reasons for the existence of a band as wonderfully talented as PFM; Grazzi, Italia!!!

I bought this record years ago (1973) when it came out, noticing Pete Sinfield's name on the back as writer. Being a King Crimson freak, how could I resist?
I was extremely pleased. Primiata Forneria Marconi's music is very much modelled after King Crimson; even the snare drum sounds similar. They must have used the same engineer. There are plenty of exciting, fast-moving, rhythmically complex sections, as well as beautiful slower songs, just as you'd expect from good early King Crimson.
If you like prog rock, definitely get this.