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Editorial Reviews
Japanese limited edition reissue of the progressive rock act's 1976 album, packaged in a miniature gatefold LPsleeve. Number One. 2004.
Chocolate Kings,Pfm,Bmg,Rock/Pop,World Music
Average customer rating:
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Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Manticore ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000007UCO Release Date: 1998-07-27 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Customer Reviews:
An excellent album by PFM.......2007-03-28
The lineup on Chocolate Kings includes Franz Di Cioccio (drums, percussion and backing vocals); Patrick Djivas (Gibson "ripper" bass); Franco Mussida (electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals); Mauro Pagani (flute, violin); Flavio Premoli (Hammond organ, piano, electric piano, synthesizers); and Bernado Lanzetti (lead vocals in English). The individual and ensemble virtuosity on this album is simply stunning - these guys are all incredible players (I love the aggressive, trebly tone that Patrick gets out of his Gibson). Bernado Lanzetti has a very unusual vocal style that is definitely an acquired taste - there is a great deal of vibrato in his singing and the quality of his voice is somewhat hoarse (it sounds like he sings from his throat rather than his diaphragm). Still, his voice does not bother me too much - the playing is just incredible and more than makes up for it.
The five tunes on Chocolate Kings range in length from 4'39 to 8'30 with four of the five tracks in the 7-8 minute range. In large part, this album is comprised of very high energy progressive rock with enough jaw-dropping playing to keep all prog fans very entertained. There are some nice dynamic contrasts too and the arrangements are simply top notch. I think that of all the tunes, the title track is the closest the album comes to even vaguely resembling a pop track (it actually reminds me somewhat of Celebration from Photos of Ghosts, 1973) although it too is still over-the top prog with breathtaking soloing.
All in all, this album is very highly recommended along with Storia di un Minuto (1972), Photos of Ghosts, The World became the World (1974), and Jet Lag.
"Kings" is Aces.......2006-01-24
To summarize as quickly as possible, let me first praise the incredibly skillful musicianship of ALL. To single out any of the quintet for plaudits obscures another, but suffice it to say that even causual listening will quickly amaze you with the dexterity with which the group tears through some incredibly complex material.
I'll be the first to concede that being a great musician alone doesn't guarantee a great record, but in this case, the considerable maestro-horsepower is harnessed to a chariot of five INCREDIBLE songs that seriously thrust "Chocolate Kings" into the upper echelons of progressive rock. A previous reviewer correctly pointed out the haunting violin/keyboard theme of the opening track, "From Under;" strong stuff indeed. Even more impressive to me is track 2, "Harlequin," certainly one of the most tightly-compacted lyrical/instrumental expressions of human anguish ever committed to record. The gentle acoustic guitar & flute opener is garnished with light keyboards, ramping up tension to the furious middle section full of propulsive drumming/bass with snarling keyboard/guitar/violin riffs trading lines with Lanzetti's totally in-the-moment vocal delivery.
Here I must take SERIOUS exception to any slagging of Bernardo Lanzetti's vocal prowess. YES, his command of English was rudimentary, but what an expressive, forceful set of pipes he brought to PFM. I know that our personal appreciation of singers is highly subjective, but from the very first hearing, his powerful voice IMMEDIATELY grabbed me and still moves me now.
To my ears this album has NO weaknesses, except to concede that much of the power of the EXCELLENT lyrics is lost in Bernardo's shaky phonetic rendition. Some vinyl LP's do come with lyric sheets, and they truly do enhance the experience by enabling our full appreciation of the highly insightful lyrics of Marva Jan Morrow, who I never heard of before (or since, to the best of my knowledge). I wonder whether Morrow wrote these lyrics first as stand alone poems and Pagani (flautist/violinist) and Mussida (guitarist) wrote the music around them. The lyrics certainly stand as potent, fully realized works of art independent of the music they were fused to, so it's unfortunate that Bernardo's expression-over-enunciation delivery obscures them so badly. (Write me if you're interested in seeing a lyric sheet.)
The credits reveal that this LP was very much the compositional brainchild of flautist/violinist Mauro Pagani, and unfortunately it proved to be his swan song with PFM. He left the band to do a very mediocre solo album, and PFM replaced him with another violinist, Gregory Bloch, who could bring none of the compositional fire to the band that Pagani provided for "Chocolate Kings." I vividly remember how anxiously I anticipated the follow-up to "Chocolate Kings" back in 1976, and how DISSAPOINTED I was by the all-too aptly titled "Jet Lag" that abruptly brought the band halfway down the pinnacle they'd ascended in '74 with "Chocolate Kings."
Of course PFM still soldiers on, as a quartet, (Bernardo is long gone, unfortunately) and they certainly command respect among us prog-heads as they continue to record and tour, though I confess I haven't kept up with them since the mid 1980's. Still nothing can ever obscure the blinding brilliance of "Chocolate Kings." I say with ABSOLUTE conviction that if you're interested enough to give this underappreciated band a try, THIS IS THE CD TO BUY.
Best album.......2004-09-13
Musically, this album is rich in progressive rock arrangements and songwriting. It is a wonderful mix of keyboards, guitars, violin, flute, drums, and vocals. Six fairly long songs make up the album. This album should be in every prog-rock fan's collection. Too bad the album isn't more readily available.
Buy this album, even if it means applying force to the scoundrels and scallywags who should do a better job of supplying quality music to the masses.
Strangely flat with horrible vocals.......2004-08-07
PFM is an Italian group with limited English skills. To try to better penetrate the US market, the group tried various experiments in English. Their first three albums were originally in Italian (except for one English song). The second and third albums were redone with English lyrics supplied by Pete Sinfield (who wrote the lyrics for the early King Crimson albums).
On this album, they bring in a new singer, lyricist, who is Italian but can write and sing in English. The problem is that is vocal style and his voice are horrible and he ruins the whole album. He sings in this very annoying undulating, yodelling style. To get an idea of the negative impact of his vocals, listen to Out of The Roundabout on this album and then hear how much better the song is on pfmpfm.com or Live In Japan with a different vocalist. Some call him an acquired taste, as if listening to him over and over again will make you like him. I would consider it torture.
The whole idea of trying to reach a US audience through English lyrics is ridiculous. With both this album and Pete Sinfield's words, the English lyrics are incomprehensible. They are just written to sound good. It is what Yes used to do. I would much rather hear Italian lyrics that I don't understand, sung nicely with emotion, than hear English that make no sense, sung poorly.
The other problem with this album is that the music is strangely flat, as if something is missing. It seems muted and dull. Compare this to PFM's earlier albums with a bright, lively sound. To be honest, I have only heard the LP version of this album. Someone claims that the remastered version of the CD sounds much better. This could be a much better album if the sound quality was better, so I will be seeking out a remastered copy of the CD.
Note that the cover of this CD came in different versions for Europe and the US. The European version has a heavy women in a slip on the cover.
It has been incorrectly stated that the album Live in the USA is a live version of Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA was recorded and released before Chocolate Kings and contains no songs from Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA came from the tour to support PFM's third album, L'Iosla di Niente, or the English version called the World Became the World. Live In the USA was the title of the album released in Europe. In the US it was called Cook. It is a great album. PFM is a different band in concert. They are a rocking, jamming band, creating wonderful solos.
The tour to cover this album is available on vol 3 of 10 Anni Live. The 4 volume boxset is fantastic. You can also get each volume separately (when available). Another great album to get is Live in Japan, which was recently released.
Best PFM Album!.......2004-02-11
Average customer rating: |
Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Numero Uno ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000BM6KLU Release Date: 2005-12-19 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Album Description
Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1976 album features the original tracks and comes in a miniatures 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: |
Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Numero Uno ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0001ZX4MA Release Date: 2004-07-05 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Album Description
Japanese limited edition reissue of the progressive rock act's 1976 album, packaged in a miniature gatefold LPsleeve. Number One. 2004.Album Details
24bit Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.
Average customer rating: |
Muzik Tunes of The Year 2001
New Order , The Rhythm Masters , Chocolate Puma , Kings of Convenience , Agent Sumo , Bent , Rennie & Blim , Bjork , Tim Deluxe , and Timo Maas ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000KK311U |
Product Description
Tracklisting: 1.Crystal (Lee Coombs Remix)-New Order 2.Underground-The Rhythm Masters 3.I Wanna Be U (Radio Edit)-Chocolate Puma 4.I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp Remix)-Kings of Convenience 5.24 Hours-Agent Sumo 6.Always (Ashley Beedle's Mahavishnu Remix)-Bent 7.Eskimo (Yellow Snow Mix)-Rennie & Blim 8.Lifetimes(Radio Edit)-Slam Featuring Tyrone 'Visionary' Palmer 9.Hidden Place-Bjork 10.Sirens-Tim Deluxe 11.Killin' Me (Jan Driver Remix)-Timo Maas 12.Bel Amour-Bel Amour 13.Believers(King Unique Extended Mix)-Baz 14.Ride The Storm-Akabu
Average customer rating:
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Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Jvc Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001ZX35S Release Date: 2004-06-29 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Customer Reviews:
bittersweet.......2005-08-07
An excellent album by PFM.......2004-08-06
The lineup on Chocolate Kings includes Franz Di Cioccio (drums, percussion and backing vocals); Patrick Djivas (Gibson "ripper" bass); Franco Mussida (electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals); Mauro Pagani (flute, violin); Flavio Premoli (Hammond organ, piano, electric piano, synthesizers); and Bernado Lanzetti Lead vocals). The individual and ensemble virtuosity on this album is simply stunning - these guys are all incredible players (I love the aggressive, trebly tone that Patrick gets out of his Gibson). Bernado Lanzetti has a very unusual vocal style that is definitely an acquired taste - there is a great deal of vibrato in his singing and the quality of his voice is somewhat hoarse (it sounds like he sings from his throat rather than his diaphragm). Still, his voice does not bother me too much - the playing is just incredible and more than makes up for it.
The five tunes on Chocolate Kings range in length from 4'39 to 8'30 with four of the five tracks in the 7-8 minute range. In large part, this album is comprised of very high energy progressive rock with enough jaw-dropping playing to keep all prog fans very entertained. There are some nice dynamic contrasts too and the arrangements are simply top notch. I think that of all the tunes, the title track is the closest the album comes to even vaguely resembling a pop track (it actually reminds me somewhat of Celebration from Photos of Ghosts, 1973) although it too is still over-the top prog with breathtaking soloing.
This remastered album is very cool and reproduces the original LP format with restored cover art and lyrics to the songs printed in English. The sound quality is excellent and there are loads of liner notes (unfortunately they are printed in Japanese so I haven't the foggiest notion what is being said).
All in all, this album is very highly recommended along with Storia di un Minuto (1972), Photos of Ghosts, The World became the World (1974), and Jet Lag.
Average customer rating:
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Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Jvc Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00004NK6M Release Date: 2000-05-02 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Album Description
Digitally remastered using K2 technology, this is a Japanese reissue of the Italian progressive rock band's 1976 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:
Strangely flat and horrible vocals.......2003-08-30
PFM is an Italian group with limited English skills. To try to better penetrate the US market, the group tried various experiments in English. Their first three albums were originally in Italian (except for one English song). The second and third albums were redone with English lyrics supplied by Pete Sinfield (who wrote the lyrics for the early King Crimson albums).
On this album, they bring in a new singer, lyricist, who is Italian but can write and sing in English. The problem is that is vocal style and his voice are horrible and he ruins the whole album. He sings in this very annoying undulating, yodelling style. To get an idea of the negative impact of his vocals, listen to Out of The Roundabout on this album and then hear how much better the song is on ...or Live In Japan with a different vocalist. Some call him an acquired taste, as if listening to him over and over again will make you like him. I would consider it torture.
The whole idea of trying to reach a US audience through English lyrics is ridiculous. With both this album and Pete Sinfield's words, the English lyrics are incomprehensible. They are just written to sound good. It is what Yes used to do. I would much rather hear Italian lyrics that I don't understand, sung nicely with emotion, than hear English that make no sense, sung poorly.
The other problem with this album is that the music is strangely flat, as if something is missing. It seems muted and dull. Compare this to PFM's earlier albums with a bright, lively sound. To be honest, I have only heard the LP version of this album. Someone claims that the remastered version of the CD sounds much better. This could be a much better album if the sound quality was better, so I will be seeking out a remastered copy of the CD.
Note that the cover of this CD came in different versions for Europe and the US. The European version has a heavy women in a slip on the cover.
It has been incorrectly stated that the album Live in the USA is a live version of Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA was recorded and released before Chocolate Kings and contains no songs from Chocolate Kings. Live in the USA came from the tour to support PFM's third album, L'Iosla di Niente, or the English version called the World Became the World. Live In the USA was the title of the album released in Europe. In the US it was called Cook. It is a great album. PFM is a different band in concert. They are a rocking, jamming band, creating wonderful solos.
The tour to cover this album is available on vol 3 of 10 Anni Live. The 4 volume boxset is fantastic. You can also get each volume separately (when available). Another great album to get is Live in Japan, which was recently released.
Finally a re-master of this important work of classic prog!.......2002-12-03
Highly recommended !!
A strong album from a band in transition.......2002-11-10
(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)
Forever PFM.......2000-09-08
What it is.......2000-04-18
Average customer rating: |
Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00008ESCU Release Date: 1995-08-01 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Average customer rating: |
Chocolate Kings
PFM Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000B00IC Release Date: 2004-02-24 |
Tracks:
- From Under
- Harlequin
- Chocolate Kings
- Out on the Roundabout
- Paper Charms
Album Description
Limited edition 24-bit remastered reissue of the Italian progressive rock act's 1976 album in a digipak. Digipak. BMG Italy. 2003.World Music:
- Chocolate Suite - Japanese Music for Chocolate Lovers
- Climax
- Cuidadito Compay Gallo [Import]
- December Morning
- Distant Drum
- Earth Show
- El Sueno de Ibiza [Soundtrack] [Import]
- En scene (live) [IMPORT]
- Er Gehört Zu Mir [Import]
- Essential Collection [Import]
World Music
GUSTAV LEONHARDT: Bach - Bull - Byrd - Gibbons - Hassler - Pachebel - Ritter - Strogers
Kelly Clarkson Karaoke Top Tunes TT-210
Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 [Import] [Original recording remastered]
Heart and Soul [Box set] [Explicit Lyrics]