L'Apprendista by Stormy Six

In those years, Stormy Six began collaborating with European avant-garde bands such as Henry Cow, whom I have discussed at length on this site, and Slapp Happy.  This would lead them to found the Rock in Opposition movement in ’78, whose complex musical structures L’apprendista anticipates.

In this light, the album was released on L’Orchestra, an independent cooperative created by the musicians themselves to have full artistic freedom and an alternative way to distribute their music.

Unlike the previous records, the lyrics speak about the psychological and social condition of workers in Italy in the ’70s. L’apprendista becomes the symbol of those who struggle to fit into an alienating industrial society.

Right before the recording sessions for L’apprendista, there was a key change in the rhythm section. In ’76, longtime drummer and founding member Antonio Zanuso left the group, replaced by Salvatore Garau—a change that wasn’t only technical, but strongly shaped the album’s stylistic turn: Garau brought a more dynamic, geometric and articulated drumming style, perfect for the complex time shifts and avant-garde structures close to Rock in Opposition.

The lineup stayed the same for the rest, compared to the previous Un biglietto del tram:

Umberto Fiori: Lead vocals, acoustic guitar

Franco Fabbri: Guitars (acoustic and electric), vibraphone, xylophone, vocals

Tommaso Leddi: Mandolin, violin, guitar, piano

Carlo De Martini: Violin, viola, mandolin, vocals

Luca Piscicelli: Bass, vocals

Salvatore Garau: Drums

To give more depth to the album’s chamber-like sonorities, the band relied in the studio on the collaboration of some highly talented multi-instrumentalists and session players, expanding the sonic palette beyond traditional rock instruments.

Renato Rivolta: Saxophone

Leo Dosso: Bassoon

Andrea Vicario: Cello

Gianfranco Gagliardi: Keyboards

Between “Un biglietto del tram” (1975) and “L’apprendista” (1977) there was a radical change in musical style and lyric writing.  While keeping an acoustic and experimental base, the group drastically changed its way of expressing itself.

“Un biglietto del tram” was marked by a mostly acoustic, choral sound, dominated by traditional folk instruments like violin and mandolin. The arrangements evoked folk songs, ballads, waltzes and marches.

“L’apprendista”, instead, marks a return to electric instruments and synthesizers, abandoning folk linearity to embrace a progressive rock and avant-garde sound. The tracks turn into chamber suites, rich in odd meters, asymmetric structures and jagged sonorities, anticipating the Rock in Opposition manifesto.

An album that stands as one of the artistic peaks of Stormy Six’s discography and a key chapter of progressive rock and Italy’s political singer-songwriter tradition of the ’70s. Unlike other progressive or RIO groups, which often got lost in experimentation, Stormy Six managed to combine complex scores—with chamber influences, counterpoint and odd meters—with a huge melodic and theatrical sensitivity. The songs remain memorable, also thanks to Umberto Fiori’s voice, which makes seemingly difficult musical structures accessible.

If “Un biglietto del tram” is their most iconic record for its emotional impact, “L’apprendista” is their most original and influential work musically and lyrically. An extraordinary album, played extraordinarily. 

If it hadn’t come out in 1977 I’d say they copied from King Crimson’s ’80s trilogy the doubled dissonant guitars in “Il Barbiere”, but that’s not the case—so it could be exactly the opposite (in the video below from 2:57). An absolutely Essential album!

My Version

Label: Warner Music Italy – COM 385
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo, Signed
Country: Italy
Released: 2025

Tracklist

A1        Buon Lavoro! 5:05
A2        L'Apprendista 5:34
A3        Carmine 5:47
A4        Il Barbiere 7:29
B1        Cuore 5:45
B2        Il Labirinto 8:15
B3        Rosso 2:56
B4        L'Orchestra Dei Fischietti 6:24

Lineup

Bassoon – Leo Dosso
Cello – Andrea Vicario
Drums – Salvatore Garau
Keyboards – Gianfranco Gagliardi
Mandolin, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano – Luca Piscicelli
Saxophone – Renato Rivolta
Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Carlo De Martini
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Umberto Fiori
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vibraphone, Xylophone – Franco Fabbri