Photos of Ghosts [Import]

1. River Of Live

2. Celebration

3. Photos Of Ghosts

4. Old Rain

5. Il Banchetto

6. Mr 9 Till 5

7. Promenade The Puzzle

Photos of Ghosts,Pfm,Bmg Int'l,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Rock/Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: A Prog Perennial! English vesrion of Per un Amico The Italian King Crimson Truly moving piece of music Photos of Ghosts/Excellant Album/Hard and Soft.

Photos of Ghosts PFM Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: World Became the World Chocolate Kings Per un Amico Jet Lag Io Sono Nato Libero ASIN: B000007UCQ Release Date: 1998-07-15

Tracks:

1. River of Life
2. Celebration
3. Photos of Ghosts
4. Old Rain
5. Banchetto
6. Mr. 9'Till 5
7. Promenade the Puzzle

Customer Reviews:

A Prog Perennial!.......2006-07-05

Still sounding dynamic and densely-textured after over thirty years, PFM's first major effort for the US market clearly foreshadowed the longevity and breadth of Italian prog. Discerning listeners will not only recognize the continuity between Photos of Ghosts and the brilliant histrionics of Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Le Orme, and Randone, but will also appreciate an approach to composition and arrangement that has as much in common with commedia dell'arte and Monteverdi as with ELP or Crimson. Unquestionably, this is one of the very best of the genre.

English vesrion of Per un Amico.......2003-08-07

PFM is an Italian progressive rock band, which did not speak English. Pete Sinfield (who wrote the lyrics for the early King Crimson songs) got ahold of them, and tried to increase their world-wide popularity by rewriting the lyrics in English.

This is an English reworking of PFM's second album, Per un Amico. It includes an additional track, Celebration, which is an English version of E'Festa from PFM's first album, Storia di un Minuto. This CD is about 40 minutes long.

I would recommend getting the Italian version instead. This whole idea of reworking the songs in English for American tastes is silly. First off, Pete Sinfield did not interpret the songs into English. He can up with signficantly themes. Second, most of his lyrics aren't very good or tell a meaningful story. Just like many of Yes's songs, the lyrics were written to sound good, not to make any sense. Third, since PFM didn't speak English, the words had no meaning to them and the lyrics were just sung phonotically. So, what difference does it make if you have a song in Italian that you don't understand or in English that really doesn't make any sense.

Otherwise, the music on this album is very good. I prefer PFM's first album to this because there are a few songs on this album that are a little bombastic.

PFM had a completely different sound in concert. There were a hard rocking, jamming band. Seek out some of their live albums, like Live in USA (Cook) or Gil Anni Live 1970 to 1981.

The Italian King Crimson.......2003-04-23

I really enjoyed this album. I found it evoked the early efforts of King Crimson, especially the quieter moments of Lizard and Islands. Also elements of Gentle Giant and ELP. Nice work for sure. The only other PFM I have is World Became the World, which I thought was good but less consistent than this one, which I just picked up on vinyl. Good album. I'll have to find Chocolate Kings now.

Truly moving piece of music.......2003-03-14

Photos of Ghosts (1973) is the English language version of the album Per un Amico, with both "Celebration", (which was originally included on Storia di un Minuto (1972) as "E Festa"), and the new acoustic instrumental "Old Rain" added on. This is probably one of my favorite albums by the band and demonstrates why PFM was one of the finest bands to emerge from the Italian prog scene. Shades of 1969-1970 period King Crimson all shine through here and there, which is also an endearing quality in my book. Of course, the King Crimson link is further driven home by the association with lyricist Pete Sinfield and the album was originally released on ELP's Manticore label.

The lineup on Photos of Ghosts is considered to be the classic PFM lineup and included Flavio Premoli (synthesizers, piano, Hammond organ, mellotron, and vocals); Franx Di Cioccio (drums and vocals); Giorgio Piazza (bass guitar); the incredible Franco Mussida (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals); and Mauro Pagani (violin and flute). All of the band members are simply sensational musicians and the individual playing and intricate ensemble work is breathtaking. With the exception of Il Banchetto (which is unchanged from the version on Per un Amico), the vocals are in English with a heavy accent - I do not find it the least bit distracting.

The seven tracks on Photos of Ghosts range in length from 3'20" to 8'32". In general, the music is very soft and contemplative, yet also includes the unbelievable instrumental virtuosity and intricate ensemble work that characterizes PFM. Their genius lies in an ability to fuse virtuosity with atmospherics to create truly moving pieces of music. "River of Life" is a good example of this. Analog synthesizers abound in this recording and are showcased on "Il Banchetto".

This is a remarkable album that is very highly recommended along with the debut Storia di un Minuto and The World Became the World (1974). Absolutely wonderful stuff from beginning to end.

Photos of Ghosts/Excellant Album/Hard and Soft........2003-01-22

PFM-Such a great album(Photos of Ghosts). Il Banchetto,such a master piece(premoli-keyboards)rock and classic with movement. Photos of Ghosts(mussida-premoli-sinfield)rock n roll. PFM band members play as one! I've seen Jethro Tull,ELP and UK at their prime and height(70s) and PFM is a unique group and class. Anyone who cares about solid rock and classic mixture, you won't be disappointed. Sincere rock n roll fan!

Average customer rating:

Photos of Ghosts PFM Manufacturer: Jvc Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Cook ASIN: B0001ZX34Y Release Date: 2004-05-31

Tracks:

1. River of Life
2. Celebration
3. Photos of Ghosts
4. Old Rain
5. Banchetto
6. Mr. 9'Till 5
7. Promenade the Puzzle

Average customer rating:

Photos of Ghosts PFM Manufacturer: Numero Uno ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Passpartu ASIN: B000BM6KLA Release Date: 2005-12-19

Tracks:

1. River of Life
2. Celebration
3. Photos of Ghosts
4. Old Rain
5. Banchetto
6. Mr. 9'Till 5
7. Promenade the Puzzle

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1973 album features the original tracks and comes in a miniature LP sleeve. Victor. 2005.

Album Details

Special 24bit K2 Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating: An early salvo from a great band on the rise Turning a page

Photos of Ghosts PFM Manufacturer: Jvc Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004NK6K Release Date: 2000-03-28

Tracks:

1. River of Life
2. Celebration
3. Photos of Ghosts
4. Old Rain
5. Banchetto
6. Mr. 9'Till 5
7. Promenade the Puzzle

Album Description

Digitally remastered using K2 technology, this is a Japanese reissue of the Italian progressive rock band's 1973 album in a miniaturized LP sleeve limited to the initial pressing only & with the original cover art intact. 1999 release.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Limited Edition LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

An early salvo from a great band on the rise.......2003-02-09

This was the English-speaking world's first exposure to PFM, an Italian progressive rock band. The music is comparable to early Genesis, though the transitions between portions of a song are jumpier. After decades of hearing this album only on poor-quality LP pressings, finding it on CD is a dream come true. Much of the album is an English version of the album "Per Un Amico", with English lyrics by ELP lyricist Pete Sinfield. "Celebration", the album's equivalent of a single, is a revised arrangement of "E Festa" from PFM's first album, "Storia di un Minuto." The opener, "River of Life", goes through several twists and turns, and the lilting instrumental between the two verses is one of the most gorgeous moments in prog-rock history. "Il Banchetto" breaks up a beautiful song with a long, pointless keyboard passage that sounds like the experimentation of a man who just bought his first Mini-Moog. "Photos of Ghosts" and "Mr. 9 'till 5" are both strong songs. The recordings lack the intensity and confidence that would arrive (along with, and perhaps because of, bassist Patrick Djivas) on the subsequent albums "The World Became the World" and "Chocolate Kings".

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Turning a page.......2000-08-13

Though music is and will always remain a matter of personal taste, yet within the boundaries of subjective views one can still venture into certain objective arenas of comparison. In that light then, this is accepted by those who have given it its due attention and fair judgement to be one of the best works of one of the best bands of its kind. Some of the best progressive rock music ever made hails from Italy and of the bands responsible for that praise, one of the top three if not THE top one, was PFM; and a shining gem amongst its offerings, was this album. In its Italian version, it was and still remains unparalleled in its achievement, and in its English version, 'Photos of Ghosts', it made itself accesible to the English ears. Its a handful of beauty, too rich musically for a review such as this to do it ustice. Great compositions, great innovations, great musicianship, great sound (recent remaster) and great packaging is on offer here, for those who can supply great taste for the best vintage of the masters of Italian progressive rock.

Average customer rating:

Photos of Ghosts Pfm Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000DEOPL Release Date: 2002-08-26

Average customer rating: An early salvo from a great band on the rise An early salvo from a great band on the rise Excellent!!! premiata forneria marconi "At Their Best" Classic Album, questionable remaster

Photos of Ghosts PFM Manufacturer: Numero Uno ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004S8LR Release Date: 2001-01-03

Tracks:

1. River Of Life
2. Celebration
3. Photos Of Ghosts
4. Old Rain
5. Il Banchetto
6. Mr 9 'Till 5
7. Promenade The Puzzle

Album Description

Digitally remastered using K2 technology, this is a Japanese reissue of the Italian progressive rock band's 1973 album.2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

24bit Digitally Remastered Edition of the Classic Album from the Progressive Italian Rock Group.

Customer Reviews:

An early salvo from a great band on the rise.......2002-11-15

This was the English-speaking world's first exposure to PFM, an Italian progressive rock band. The music is comparable to early Genesis, though the transitions between portions of a song are jumpier. After decades of hearing this album only on poor-quality LP pressings, finding it on CD is a dream come true. Much of the album is an English version of the album "Per Un Amico", with English lyrics by ELP lyricist Pete Sinfield. "Celebration", the album's equivalent of a single, is a revised arrangement of "E Festa" from PFM's first album, "Storia di un Minuto." The opener, "River of Life", goes through several twists and turns, and the lilting instrumental between the two verses is one of the most gorgeous moments in prog-rock history. "Il Banchetto" breaks up a beautiful song with a long, pointless keyboard passage that sounds like the experimentation of a man who just bought his first Mini-Moog. "Photos of Ghosts" and "Mr. 9 'till 5" are both strong songs. The recordings lack the intensity and confidence that would arrive (along with, and perhaps because of, bassist Patrick Djivas) on the subsequent albums "The World Became the World" and "Chocolate Kings".

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

An early salvo from a great band on the rise.......2002-11-10

This was the English-speaking world's first exposure to PFM, an Italian progressive rock band. The music is comparable to early Genesis, though the transitions between portions of a song are jumpier. After decades of hearing this album only on poor-quality LP pressings, finding it on CD is a dream come true. Much of the album is an English version of the album "Per Un Amico", with English lyrics by ELP lyricist Pete Sinfield. "Celebration", the album's equivalent of a single, is a revised arrangement of "E Festa" from PFM's first album, "Storia di un Minuto." The opener, "River of Life", goes through several twists and turns, and the lilting instrumental between the two verses is one of the most gorgeous moments in prog-rock history. "Il Banchetto" breaks up a beautiful song with a long, pointless keyboard passage that sounds like the experimentation of a man who just bought his first Mini-Moog. "Photos of Ghosts" and "Mr. 9 'till 5" are both strong songs. The recordings lack the intensity and confidence that would arrive (along with, and perhaps because of, bassist Patrick Djivas) on the subsequent albums "The World Became the World" and "Chocolate Kings".

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Excellent!!!.......2001-10-05

Those who really want to know what was it all about eurpean prog music during the early seventies, just get this album -among a few others- and that's it.
Lyrics in italian give every track a special sense difficult to compare. All of this immerse in an almost mediaeval mood for moments and in strong powerful rock at times.

premiata forneria marconi "At Their Best".......2001-06-16

I would like to take this opportunity to thank PFM (Photos Of Ghost)at this brillant album/arrangements/compositions of each song. River Of Life(mussida-remoli-sinfield)supur singing and that even balance of mussida guitars. Photos Of Ghosts(mussida-premoli-sinfield)that rhythm strong but direct and with a tide.Old Ran(premoli) Guitars and that beautiful violin. IlBanchetto(pagani-musida-premoli)At their best. Mr.9'Till 5(mussida-premoli-sinfield)delightful song. Promenade The Puzzle (the band plays as one,feeds off each other). I would like to enlighten that individual that this progressive rock band and album (cd) will be written as a classic. All songs written by PFM have that unique chemistry. I'm looking forward when PFM returns to USA (San Diego,Ca.)I'll be sitting front roll.

Classic Album, questionable remaster.......2001-03-09

Let's get something out of the way first: this is one of the greatest prog rock albums ever recorded. If you're unfamiliar with PFM, this is the album to start with. They were contemporaries of Yes,Genesis and ELP, but their sound was more subtle and textural. Probably the closest equivalent working now is the Flower Kings. If you're reading this review simply to learn more about PFM or this, their best album, check out the regularly priced copy of "Photos of Ghosts."

But what I'm really reviewing here is the idea of remastering the CD using this fancy new K2 technology and then charging 26 bucks for it. This isn't exactly an audiofile sort of album. The instruments, guitars especially, are mostly dark sounding, and the music benefits from that kind of "glob of sound" that Pete Sinfield's slightly murky mix provides.

It's not that I'm opposed to new technology, or the march of progress, but if I was going to spend this kind of money to buy a CD, I'd buy one that would allow me to hear the benefits of the improved technology (Steely Dan, UK, Zappa).

Rock Music:

1. Pure Brazil: Samba Soul Groove
2. Quebec Love [Import]
3. Queen of Hip-Hop [Import]
4. Rapa Iti [Enhanced]
5. Refavela [Import]
6. Reiki Essence
7. Remix Collection [Import]
8. Sahara: Blues of the Desert
9. Siempre Siempre [Import]
10. Silent Warrior

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

Golden Pops/Pops in Japan '71 [Import]

Verdi Recordings 3

The Songs of Sepharad - Bensoussan - Edery - Mizrahi

Fabric 23 [Import]

VIP Lounge Presented by Voltaxx [Import]

Vol. 2-MTV Fantastic Females [Import]

Unter Dem Himmel Von Paris

True Story [Explicit Lyrics]

The Greatest Holiday Classics

The Transcendental Piano

Un-Cabaret's The Un & Only [Explicit Lyrics]

Tangos del Bar del Infierno [Import]

Valoom Padoom Pink (Or Something)

Latin Passion

Motion