Saint Just. 1973 Italy

Saint Just's debut is an unusual album coming from Italy. Folk rock is its root system, but played with more urgency and with a haunting quality. In this way it's like the best of the UK bands operating in this space. There's not a lot like this from Italy though, maybe the first Opus Avantra or early Pierrot Lunaire, though not as experimental as that might imply.  Be prepared for Jenny Sorrenti's voice, which is high pitched, and just short of being annoying. But it is sung in her native Italian, which is a huge plus. Worth noting that Jenny (known as simply "Jane" here) is the sister of the more famous Alan Sorrenti.

Ownership: LP: 1973 Harvest; CD: 1994 EMI/Mellow. The LP is a wonderful thick heavy textured gatefold. Purchased online about a year ago at a bargain of a price (though not cheap by any means). The seller stated the vinyl was VG and detailed a couple of flaws. Read more like a VG+ to me, and with my cleaning regimen (which has become quite good), I figured I could raise the grade. Afraid not, it was perfectly graded (as was the cover which is VG+ to EX). Had this album been more of a rocker, then it would have been a pleasant listen. But because it does have a folk component, there's background noise to compete with in the quiet spots. Not overly distracting but just enough to make me want to hold onto the CD, which offers nothing else. But I'll take that pure sound. The CD was my introduction to this fine album and purchased new upon release. The back cover is this copy as we added it to Discogs.

new entry