Nuova Idea - Clowns. 1973 Italy

Clowns is the 3rd album from Genoa's Nuova Idea. The previous effort Mr E. Jones demonstrated a band in transition going from a beat/pop group to that of progressive rock. By Clowns, Nuova Idea were very much playing the music that was in vogue at the time - that of a full-on progressive rock album. For the time and place, it's not an extraordinary work, but it's most certainly representative. Straight down the middle 1973 Italian prog is going to deliver quality results, and Clowns is no exception.

Much is made of newcomer Ricky Belloni's voice. To be honest, most Italian progressive rock vocalists are either histrionic or gravelly to begin with. Rare is the smooth voice as found from Le Orme, Celeste, or PFM. I know many folks who turn their back on Italian progressive rock in general, only because they cannot understand the lyrics. "Needs to be in English!" they plead. I can't understand Italian either, but just like opera, the voice then becomes an instrument. So from my perspective, a distinctive voice is something to seek out. At his most alarming, Belloni is no more overwrought than Roger Chapman of Family. If you can handle that, you can handle Clowns. Personally - I like them!

Ownership: LP: 1973 Ariston. Gatefold with bizarre orgy/clown artwork. Online acquisition for all of $2 in 2004. A total fluke and a mintish copy too. 

I also once had the Mellow CD, but it offered nothing else, so decided to move it out.

2003; 11//04; 5/16/19 (new entry)