Osanna, from Naples, is one of the greatest bands in the early Italian progressive rock field. Formed in 1971 by the members of I Volti di Pietra and Città Frontale, their debut album was L’uomo, released in an iconic triple gatefold cover. The group had distinctive elements, the engaging vocals and lyrics of Lino Vairetti, the fiery flute work of Elio D’Anna, the captivating guitar lines of Danilo Rustici and the formidable rhythm section of Lello Brandi and Massimo Guarino.
Osanna released superb albums, including L’uomo (1971); the soundtrack Milano Calibro 9 (1972); the masterful Palepoli (1973), one of the finest Italian progressive rock albums of all time, mixing progressive rock and Neapolitan folk; Landscape of life (1974); and Suddance (1978).
Although Osanna disbanded in the late 1970s, the group reformed in 1999. As a result, Osanna released the album in 2001, a live album, and Prog Family, which was a collaboration between Osanna and various musicians from well known progresisve rock bands: saxophonist David Jackson (Van der Graaf Generator), David Cross (King Crimson), Gianni Leone (Balletto di Bronzo) and more.
Guitarist Danilo Rustici died in Naples on February 26, 2021, of COVID-19 complications.
Discography:
L’uomo (Fonit, 1971)
Preludio Tema Variazioni e Canzona, also known as Milano Calibro 9 (Fonit, 1972)
Palepoli (Fonit, 1973)
Landscape of life (Fonit, 1974)
Suddance (CBS, 1978)
Taka boom (Afrakà, 2001)
Live – Uomini e Miti (live, 2003)
Prog Family, as Osanna Jackson (AMS, 2008)