Acqua Fragile

Progrock Artist Profiles: Acqua Fragile

Italian progressive rock band Acqua Fragile was formed in Parma in 1971. The lineup included Bernardo Lanzetti on vocals, guitar; Gino Campanini on guitar, vocals; Maurizio Mori on keyboards, vocals; Franz Dondi on bass; and Pier Emilio Canavera on drums, acoustic guitar, vocals.

The group released two excellent albums, Acqua Fragile (Numero Uno, 1973) and Mass Media Stars (Ricordi, 1974). The debut album was one of the first Italian progressive rock albums performed entirely in English, with great harmony vocals.

As many other Italian recordings, these two albums were rare and high on the list of collectors. Thankfully, they were reissued in various countries.

Stylistically, Acqua Fragile had a sound heavily influenced by Gentle Giant, Genesis, and Premiata Forneria Marconi as well as vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar sections inspired by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

A live album titled Live in Emilia, recorded in 1975, was released in 1994.

Three founding members of Acqua Fragile got back together and released a new studio album titled A New Chant. The lineup included Bernardo Lanzetti on lead vocals, Moog synthesizer, and acoustic guitar; Franz Dondi on bass; and Piero Canavera on drums, percussion, backing vocals.

Discography:

Acqua Fragile (Rocket, 1973)
Mass Media Stars (DJM, 1974)
Live in Emilia (Prehistoric, 1994)
A New Chant (Esoteric Antenna/Cherry Red, 2017)

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