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ABOUT ME

FrancescoProg

PROG BLOGGER

Welcome to Progressive Rock World!!!

If you're here, it's because you've been seeing links to my website circulating in my posts for a while now. 

This website is actually a blog, an archive containing all the posts I've made in the past few months, since opening my Facebook page (which also marks my return to Facebook after many years)... For lovers of Progressive Rock in all its forms.

I'm simply a music consumer; I don't do it professionally; my job in life is something entirely different, but I've decided to cultivate this passion and share my listening experiences with all of you.

Both the blog and the Facebook page were born from my desire to share my entirely personal impressions of the records I listen to.

The blog was born from the need to organize hundreds of reviews, making them easier to share, and create an archive.

My posts about newer albums arrive somewhat late after their release date: I don't listen to music online, but wait for the physical media to arrive, and when that happens, I take the time to listen to them before writing anything. Since I don't do this professionally, but purely for passion, this takes time, time that also includes shipping.

I don't post unless I've "real" listened to the entire album. They're never posts about records sitting on the turntable or CD player to take photos. The photos are of my own records or CDs, not photos from other sites online. Mine aren't actual reviews; they're impressions that are entirely personal and often characterized by great enthusiasm, in some cases downright overwhelming, but nonetheless driven by many emotions—my own.

I don't set myself up as a "judge" of albums; I'm not one, and I don't aspire to be one. As I said, I'm a music consumer, not a professional, so your comments, suggestions, and corrections will enrich the post and are always welcome.

Am I a Collector?
I often think about whether or not I define myself as a "record collector."

I've always thought I wasn't, as I don't only have first pressings and vintage records, but also buy reissues for audiophiles. If I had to choose, I prefer them for their higher audio quality. I'm very focused on content rather than carbon-14 dating.

My record collection is 75% progressive rock in all its forms, 75% symphonic rock, and the rest is predominantly progressive metal, but also Canterbury or Kosmische Musik, Zehul, psychedelic... the rest are records tied to memories in the world of rock, soul, and country.

I only buy CDs when they're the only versions of an album released, or when the cost of vinyl copies would drive me to divorce. Then I buy the CD and wait for the right moment. I rarely have both CD and vinyl of the same album. I don't have all the physical versions of every album, just one or the other.

I have multiple copies of some albums, but only the ones I consider masterpieces or that I've worn out.

I study hard to always find something new. I browse flea markets and record stores when work allows, and if I have to travel, I check in advance to see if there are record stores at my destination.

I have all the studio albums of some bands, but only the official versions, not the compilations, and not all the live performances. I prefer the studio versions, but I do have the historic live performances.

Reading collectors' comments online a few times, I've come across a bit of derision toward those who don't buy first pressings or post about non-rare versions. Since, as I said, I'm more interested in content than material value (even though I own a fair amount of records with a medium-high value), this keeps me from posting in collectors' groups. I don't like to talk much about commercial value or showing off, but rather about the music the record contains and the story behind it.

I'm a hybrid collector according to a classification I found online.

That's something, come on!

Thanks for reading, and see you soon with more fantastic records, because, you know, I only listen to masterpieces!!!