Monday 27 January 2014


"Our Trail Of Tears" @ The Prog Mill on Stafford Radio

Sunday 26 January 2014


What Do You Feel Now? @  The Prog Mill on
Stafford Radio - 19/01/2014

Sunday 19 January 2014




De Angelis; Marco: The River - Both Sides Of The Story

Although as a performer, studio player or producer Marco De Angelis has been involved in the music industry for three decades, The River – Both Sides Of The Story is his first solo release. In terms of style this Italian multi-instrumentalist, including being one of Italy's few Chapman Stick experts, provides a gently Progressive album which owes as much to Mike + The Mechanics, as it does Fish, It Bites, Karnataka, or at times especially Pink Floyd. This is commercial fare and possibly not one for serious Progsters, however don't take that to mean it is lightweight or throwaway. Instead The River is a concept album which dives from idea to idea through some stunning musicianship and tightly crafted songs. De Angelis handles most of the instruments himself, only aided by drummer Cristiano Micalizzi, a group of wonderful female backing singers and the simply fantastic lead singer Marcello Catalano. DeAngelis is undoubtedly the main force here, composing, producing and playing most of what you hear, however it's no exaggeration to suggest that without Catalano's expert vocal delivery, this album would only be half as effective and ear catching as it is. The vocalist's attack varying from something akin to Ray Wilson and Neal Morse, to touches of Fish and Nik Kershaw – a fine mix in anyone's book.

The concept behind the album explains how life is a river we all travel down and that we can chose from either side to stop off at, whether they be good or bad, male or female, night or day, or life and death. The songs having ambient noise between them to illustrate aspects of the choices made and revelled in or the regret of mistaken decisions. However it is all done with a lightness of touch and always an eye for melody, leaving songs which don't overbear in a way this concept easily could.
There's a real mix of attacks with "Snowbound" reminding of RPWL, the use of Chapman Stick on "One Love" bringing a touch of Peter Gabriel and where vocally Fish is a reference point, although we're actually close to Def Leppard here too. Add to that the ever so gentle "This Time", where again Catalano shines working against acoustic guitars and shimmering keyboards, while "Take It Away" employs a similar slow approach but adds a gritty atmosphere which latter day Genesis often evoked. Although Gilmour led Floyd is a far more obvious influence on this track both vocally and in terms of the guitar sounds and style.
In the end there's no denying that for some this album will be a little too easy going, possibly even pedestrian. However for someone like myself who derives as much pleasure from AOR as I do Neo Prog, there really isn't a dull moment and the overall effect simply grows with each listen, always drawing you back for more.

Track Listing
1. Radio
2. Tell Me Why
3. Black Stare
4. One Love
5. Snowbound
6. Never Look Back
7. Regrets
8. This Time
9. Take It Away
10. What Do You Feel Now?
11. Fly High
12. Our Trail Of Tears
Added: January 18th 2014
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:

Thursday 16 January 2014

WIN MORE PROG ROCK CD'S ON THE PROG MILL!

This coming Sunday (19th January) we will have 3 copies of the superb album by Marco De Angelis - The River (Both Sides of the Story) to give away.

Just listen out for the very easy question in the first hour of the show, and you could be the owner of a copy of this wonderful album.

Listen out from 10pm UK time (2300 CET) on Stafford Radio. Hear the show online at www.staffordradio.com or via tune-in or on your internet radio via the Pure and Reciva platforms.

Thanks Marco for donating the CD's to The Prog Mill listeners!

Monday 6 January 2014

Hello dear friends out there, 2014 is gonna be a great year!
A few new CD distributors have The River - Both sides of the story into their catalogues.
Now you can buy The River from:
Musea Distribution:

http://www.musearecords.com/boutique/anglais/index.php?ficheprod=1&artiste=THE+RIVER&refp=39680
and Kinesis Distribution:
http://www.kinesiscd.com/storeframe1.htm

Thanks to all the guys at Musea and Kinesis for their help and support.

Remember that "The River" is also on sale @:
www.theriver.it
www.amazon.it
www.amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.fr
www.amazon.es
www.amazon.de
www.amazon.com

Friday 3 January 2014

Once more a very good review of The River - Both sides of the story.
Thanks to Freek Wolff and all the guys at iOPages Progressive Rock Music Magazine. http://www.iopages.nl/indexuk.html


Wednesday 1 January 2014



"The River - Both sides of the story"
has been voted as one of the Best Prog Album in 2013
by Morow Radio. Thanks guys!!!


 lbum