Macchina maccheronica by Stormy Six

Macchina maccheronica by Stormy Six, from 1980, an album that fully embraced the Rock In Opposition movement.

The already large original lineup of Umberto Fiori on vocals, Franco Fabbri on guitar, Carlo De Martini on violin, Tommaso Leddi on violin, mandolin, and guitar, Renato Rivolta on saxophone, Pino Martini on bass, Salvatore Garau on drums, and Leonardo Schiavone on clarinet was joined by cellist Georgie Born, formerly of Henry Cow.

The result of this choral (or rather orchestral) effort is a gem of Italian Progressive Rock, blending jazz, folk, and avant-garde. A major evolution from previous albums, it features wind instruments, jamming, and experimentation, with inlays of pure Italian folk song, such as the fifty-second "Madonina," twisted between complex odd time signatures and virtuosity that delves into the avant-garde, bordering on hard-to-absorb nonsense.

An album that, due to its extreme research and complexity, received greater attention abroad than in Italy, as evidenced by the jury's statement at the 1980 German Critics' Award, which awarded Stormy Six first place that year:

"The Milanese group "Stormy Six," dedicated primarily to emulating English pop music since 1976, has created with "Macchina Maccheronica" an album that assembles the most disparate musical styles—pop music, jazz, elements of rock, and avant-garde musical practices. This imaginative musical discourse thrives on the contradictions of its varied stylistic layers and offers the listener the opportunity, rare within the rock genre, to embark on a simultaneously sensual and intellectual adventure."

All this is due to his bold experiments and the complexity of his compositions, such as in "Megafono," with its exhilarating improvisations, in the circus-like atmosphere of the title track, in the strangeness (weirdness?) of the rock of "Pianeta," or in "Banca," a track announced at the beginning as a "lightening" piece, but which instead expresses itself with absolute avant-garde and which closes with the words of a worker abandoned by society and his beloved.

Little else to add; a track-by-track is impossible.

If you're a fan of the genre, it's a must-have. A great album. Unique.

Tracklist

1. Macchina Maccheronica (5:39)
2. Le Lucciole (7:37)
3. Madonina (0:51)
4. Megafono (5:52)
5. Madonina (0:39)
6. Banca (2:39)
7. Pianeta (5:40)
8. Rumba Sugli Alberi (2:56)
9. Enzo (live *) (2:16)
10. Verbale (8:38)
11. Madonina (0:55)
12. Somario (3:55)
13. Madonina (0:14)

Duration 47:51

LineUp

- Umberto Fiori - vocals
- Franco Fabbri - guitars, trombone, vibraphone
- Tommaso Leddi - alto saxophone, violin, mandolin, guitar, organ
- Leonardo Schiavone - clarinet, tenor saxophone
- Pino Martini - bass
- Salvatore Garau - drums

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page