Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (English: Bank of Mutual Relief) is an Italian rock band. A popular progressive rock band in the 1970s, they continued making music in the 1980s and 1990s. Recently, they were still active, playing live in 2001 and 2008 at NEARfest. Their charismatic frontman, Francesco Di Giacomo, died in 2014. Inspired by progressive rock acts from England, in particular Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, keyboardists Vittorio Nocenzi and his brother Gianni founded Banco del Mutuo Soccorso in Rome, Italy. In 1972, together with other musicians from Rome progressive scene, they recorded their eponymous debut album which, with songs such as R.I.P. (Requiescant in pace), Il giardino del mago and Metamorfosi, immediately attracted the attention of the public of the nascent progressive rock scene in Italy. The graphic design of the cover is also very particular: shaped as a terracotta piggy bank. In the same year, the second album was released, Darwin!, the first concept album made by the group: the songs are all linked to the central theme of Charles Darwin's theory on the evolution of species. In 1973 Io sono nato libero increased their notoriety thanks to the single "Non mi rompete", an acoustic ballad with poetic dreamy lyrics. The most prominent features of their sound are the complex textures provided by the piano, Hammond organ and synthesizers played by the Nocenzi brothers, along with the vocals of former frontman Francesco Di Giacomo. A careful balance of electronic and acoustic instruments, with the use of reeds (played by some of the members of the band, in addition to their usual instrument), made Banco's sound increasingly original and innovative, with a blend of rock, jazz and classical music which did not, however, forsake the Italian melodic tradition. More information...
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