Io Sono Nato Libero (Dischi Ricordi, 1973)
Io Sono Nato Libero (I Was Born Free) by Italian band Banco del Mutuo Soccorso is one of the great classics of 1970 progressive rock. Like other great Italian bands, Banco brought an Italian classical and folk music essence to symphonic progressive rock. Banco had it all, outstanding musicians, one of the finest vocalists in the progressive rock realm and state of the art music.
Stylistically, the group had connections with Emerson Lake and Palmer, especially in the area of keyboards (Banco had two keyboardists), improvisations and orchestrations. However, Banco brought new elements in the form of dreamlike passages, Italian romanticism, accessible avant-garde explorations, a higher profile for acoustic guitars and the wide use of percussion in addition to the standard rock band drum set.
A common complaint in the past was that many LPs had only one or two good tracks, but you had to buy the whole thing. That normally didn’t happen with progressive rock and this is no exception. The entire album is truly outstanding, a masterpiece that belongs in any decent progressive rock collection.
The lineup featured Vittorio Nocenzi on organ, synthesizer, and spinet; Gianni Nocenzi on acoustic and electric piano; Marcello Todaro on electric and acoustic guitars; Renato D’Angelo on bass and acoustic guitar; Pier Luigi Calderoni on drums, percussion; and the unforgettable Francesco Di Giacomo on vocals.
Guests included Rodolfo Maltese on acoustic and electric guitars; Silvana Aliotta on percussion; and Bruno Perosa on percussion.