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A biologic is manufactured in a living system such as a microorganism, or plant or animal cells. Most biologics are very large, complex molecules or mixtures of molecules. Many biologics are produced using recombinant DNA technology.
Drugs generally have well-defined chemical structures, and a finished drug can usually be analyzed to determine all its various components. By contrast it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to characterize a complex biologic by testing methods available in the laboratory, and some of the components of a finished biologic may be unknown.
Therefore, for biologics, “the product is the process.” Because the finished product cannot be fully characterized in the laboratory, manufacturers must ensure product consistency, quality, and purity by ensuring that the manufacturing process remains substantially the same over time. By contrast, a drug manufacturer can change the manufacturing process extensively and analyze the finished product to establish that it is the same as before the manufacturing change.
The living systems used to produce biologics can be sensitive to very minor changes in the manufacturing process. Small process differences can significantly affect the nature of the finished biologic and, most importantly, the way it functions in the body. To ensure that a manufacturing process remains the same over time, biologics manufacturers must tightly control the source and nature of starting materials, and consistently employ hundreds of process controls that assure predictable manufacturing outcomes.
Process controls for biologics are established separately for each unique manufacturing process/product, and are not applicable to a manufacturing process/product created by another manufacturer. These process controls may also be confidential to the original manufacturer. Therefore, it would be difficult or impossible for a second manufacturer to make the “same” biologic without intimate knowledge of and experience with the innovator’s process.
To be approved as a generic, a drug must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the reference drug, and it must also be “bioequivalent.” This means that generic drugs are the same chemically as their innovator counterparts and that they act the same way in the body. The bioequivalence of the generic drug is demonstrated through relatively simple analyses such as blood level testing, without the need for human clinical trials. In approving a generic drug under 505(j) of the FDCA, FDA determines that the generic is “therapeutically equivalent” to the innovator drug, and is interchangeable with it.
FDA has stated that it has not determined how interchangeability can be established for complex proteins (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/HowDrugsareDevelopedandApproved/ApprovalApplications/TherapeuticBiologicApplications/Biosimilars/default.htm, November 2010). Historically, FDA has permitted interchangeability only when two products are “therapeutic equivalents.” However, when the follow-on manufacturer establishes a new manufacturing process, beginning with new starting materials, it will produce a product that is different from and not therapeutically equivalent with that of the innovator. Because of the complexity of biologics, the only way to establish whether there are differences that affect the safety and effectiveness of the follow-on product is to conduct clinical trials.

industry_corpus2: Biopharmaceuticals


text: Beautiful Open Ranch plan with 2,516SF on Main Floor. Walkout Basement adds an additional 2,516SF that is unfinished but sets you up nicely for additional bedrooms and recreational areas in the future. Hardwoods on main floor, and tile in laundry room and bathrooms. This plan has an oversized 3 car garage and also includes a large back deck above the walkout.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


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Let me be your guide through the sometimes confusing world of modern nutrition. Schedule your free 'Health Turn-Around' Introductory Coaching Session Today!
You can also sign-up for the Return to Health and Wholeness Coaching Program with 2 One on One Coaching Sessions per month for a year.
When she was only a year old, her father, Monte Kline, was diagnosed with cancer. This ultimately led to her family's journey into natural and alternative medicine. After many years as vegetarians, her family started to transition to eating some fish and poultry to add more protein to their diet. After struggling with her weight, intestinal issues, and food sensitivities, she now eats grain and dairy-free with a lot more vegetables and protein mostly from fish and poultry.
Since 1984 her father has been clinical nutrition practice (www.pacifichealthcenter.com). It has been a family business and Leah started working there in her teens. After graduating from college with a degree in Christian Education, she started working in the clinic full-time and has worked there in some capacity ever since .
Since the 1990's, Leah has assisted in her father's clinical nutrition practice. After college, she started working in the clinic full-time managing the supplement inventory and advising clients on their nutritional needs.
She has recently written 3 ebooks on helping to heal your digestive system naturally: Internal Wholeness, Peacefully Excursions, and Truly Gluten Free. They are available on Amazon Kindle.
When not reading up on the latest discoveries in the field of health, she enjoys reading, spending time with her horses, sewing, and traveling to visit and photograph lighthouses.
Thank you for sending the question. In order for Leah to receive it, you first need to confirm your identity by clicking on a link we have just sent to your e-mail.
Send a connection request to Leah.

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


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Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer found some amusement Tuesday after the Padres reached a reported 10-year, $300 million agreement with star infielder Manny Machado.
All kidding aside, Hoyer was happy for his former team.
He was general manager of the Padres from 2009-11 before joining the Cubs after they hired Theo Epstein as team president.
The acquisition of Machado completes the Padres’ long search for a shortstop that involved the Cubs for several seasons.
In 2015, the Cubs and Padres were involved in talks, with the Cubs seeking pitching and the Padres wanting a middle infielder. Sources said the Padres initially wanted Starlin Castro before shifting their attention to Javier Baez.
And in recent months, a source said the Padres were interested in Cubs infielder David Bote but deemed the price too high.
Nevertheless, look for the Padres to make another deal as they have eight outfielders on their 40-man roster, including seven who have played in the majors.

industry_corpus2: Sports


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Ashleigh & Burwood are a specialist home fragrance company; formed in London in 1993. We design and produce contemporary and classic home fragrance products under our signature ASHLEIGH & BURWOODM brand.
Products are created to refine, to beautify and to enhance home ambience. We see fragrance as an art form, and we believe a person takes the same care in choosing how to fragrance their home as they do in what perfume to wear.
Mill Race Garden Centre stocks a wide range of Ashleigh & Burwood fragrances that are perfect as gifts and for you. Choose from a large array for scents and fragrances for you and your loved ones and create the perfect atmosphere in your home.
Ashleigh & Burwood products come with our guaranteed fast UK delivery so you’re sure to receive your order and enjoy as soon as possible!
Quickly refresh your home with a wild range of frangrances from Ashleigh & Burwood. Favourite scents from the range include Sweet Honeysuckle which is an infusion of floral, spicy, heady aromas of honeysuckle blossoms and hints of carnation and lilac.
For a more autumn or winter feel, try the Enchanted Forest scent; a mixture of cedar, spice, iris wood and a number of rich aromas to bring the great outdoors into your home.
The wonderful things about using diffusers is that they spread the aroma throughout the air and allow it to last significantly longer. These are said to help not just the atmosphere of a room but your mental state too!
Festive scents such as Festive Fruits or Woodland Walk are perfect for the Christmas season – as gifts or in your own home. Let these deep fragrances spread throughout the room and instantly relax.
Ashleigh & Burwood Oils and Diffusers help to refresh your home and eliminate any unwanted pet odours throughout the house.
We’re sure you’ll find the perfect scent for you and your family!

industry_corpus2: Others


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Telltale has announced that The Walking Dead Season One will be making its way to Nintendo Switch.
The first season of Telltale’s Walking Dead released way back in 2012, but it has won countless awards and set-up a huge universe with some of the toughest decisions in video games. In addition to the five-episode season, this port will also include 400 Days, a DLC expansion showcasing several survivors stories that interweave with each other.
The final season of the beloved franchise has just aired on all platforms, but those who have yet to experience previous seasons, or for those who want to relive them before the final season comes to an end, this will be the perfect port for you. Plus, Telltale updated this port of the game so players will experience a new fidelity and a more fluid game in general.
The Walking Dead Season One will be priced at $24.99. The company has also announced that seasons 2 and 3 are on the way to the Nintendo Switch as well; however, no date as been specified as of yet.
Telltale’s The Walking Dead Season One is set to release for the Nintendo Switch on August 28. Will you be picking up this version of the game? Let us know in the comments below!

industry_corpus2: Gaming


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Show videos of Electric Field demonstrations. Describe to the students how these fields exist around around us all the time but the field lines are actually present. Have the students try to think about possible applications of electric fields.
Make correlations between gravitational fields and electric fields. The connections made here may be vital to many students to make Electric Fields less intimidating and more familiar. Emphasis needs to be placed on the direction the field line arrows are pointing in and how this represents the direction a PROTON would travel.
Draw diagrams of Electric Field lines and have the students describe and consolidate all the answers to ensure they know the basics of the lesson.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


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Candles bear light but quickly burn out. The human spirit degenerates much the same way: we get fired up about being the “light of the world” after a Sunday service, but sometimes by midweek we are a tired glimmer. God is the Sun who never stops shining on you; operate like a mirror and reflect his love on others.
The LORD makes his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you (Numbers 6:25, ESV).


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Amazing Carousel is easy-to-use, quite powerful and flexible. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for getting started.
With a wizard-style and self-explanatory user interface, Amazing Slider is easy to get started.
Amazing Carousel supports images, YouTube and Vimeo. You can create jQuery image scrollers, jQuery video scrollers or jQuery scrollers with both images and videos.
In this step, you can add images and videos, define the title and description, assign a web link to each image/video or you can choose to open the large image or the video in a built-in lightbox popup.
After you click the "Ok" button, the application will create jQuery carousel with the default skin.
Amazing Carousel comes with pre-made professional jQuery carousel skins. You can simply choose a skin from the left list then click the button "Ok", the app will create a jQuery carousel with the skin you selected instantly.
You can also define style images and position for the arrows and navigation bullets, define content HTML codes, background image and watermark for the carousel.
The last step is publishing the jQuery carousel as HTML files which you can insert to a HTML editor like Frontpage or Dreamweaver. You can also choose to publish the carousel to a WordPress plugin, Joomla 1.5 module, Joomla 2.5+ module, Drupal 6 module or Drupal 7 module.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


text: Upgrade your 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ bumpers to add style and functionality. For the complete look go with matching front and rear bumpers with a tire carrier. Carry all of your sporting and outdoor gear with our large selection of Wrangler roof racks, cargo racks, bike racks and more. Utilize your Wrangler's tow capacity with a receiver hitch and all of our towing accessories.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


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Our bodies have healing power. Imagine having a broken bone and putting a plaster. After a while, the bone will join itself even though there’s no medicine in the plaster. If you cut yourself, the skin stitches back together within days.
Intermittent fasting is one way the body can heal itself back after the damage we’ve caused with our modern living, but we rarely allow it to this work because we constantly eat.
As soon as you eat something, the body stops whatever it was doing to heal, and uses all its power to digest and get rid of the food. It’s good to give your digestion a break from time to time and let intermittent fasting do its thing.
Make sure to occasionally refrain from eating or drinking anything for 16 hours. This isn’t so hard because you can schedule the fasting window according to what best suits you. If you decide that your last meal is at 8 PM, your next solid meal should be at noon the next day. This way most of your fasting occurs while you’re asleep and the benefits are still there.
Almost all religions have a form of fasting in their rituals,and it’s known for a long time that fasting improves health, they maybe didn’t know how it affects health, but if they felt better they connected it with occasional hunger.
Yes, this is absolutely a way to heal your body. Earlier when I was suffering from Pancreatitis doctors used to suggest me to opt for intermittent fasting to heal the body faster. They used to refrain me from eating or drinking anything for a day at least then slowly and steadily they used to start the liquid diet along with other medications. So, think this intermittent fasting is an effective way to give your body ample time to heal and come back to the original position.
It’s true that fasting offers a wide range of health benefits, but it can increase risks for some diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Last year’s study showed that Intermittent fasting may raise insulin levels, damage pancreatic cells, and increase the amount of abdominal fat. It may be popular, but intermittent fasting may harm your metabolic health if it’s done too often and recklessly. It’s good,but in moderation, as with everything else.
Helpful writing so far! Intermittent fasting is a tool that provides incredible weight loss and has an amazing healing effect on the whole body. Anything that reduces insulin resistance should help lower blood sugar levels and protect against type 2 diabetes. In human studies on intermittent fasting, fasting blood sugar has been reduced by 3-6%, while fasting insulin has been reduced by 20-31% (12). Thanks and keep up the great work!


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Snitch Pointy Boss' first headlining gig, at The Old Vic pub on Fletcher Gate in Nottingham, on Tuesday September 26 saw the band premier five new songs to an audience packed with punks, librarians, comic shop employees, dental workers and publicans.
Were you there at The Old Vic? Mail us a review for the site!

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


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We would like to introduce to our latest Management team member Pam Austin. Pam is very experienced in the Care Industry and we are looking forward to her joining our management team.
Pam has 20 years’ experience in Domiciliary, Palliative and Specialist care (mental health).
During her time in the industry Pam has received Registered Managers award 2008 achieved 2008.
Management Diploma level 5 20017.
Previous registration with CQC in Newcastle and North Tyneside.
Pam has also worked with Council commissioners and CCG across Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Durham and Northumberland.


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As the summer season has ended and fall is in swing, brides feel the pressure to complete the plans for late autumn and winter weddings. Countries, customs, and traditions are different, but many things are alike. Before you can begin selection of flowers, paper products, the venue, and in some cases, the menu; you must decide on your colors and what will be in for the 2018-2019 autumn and winter season.
There are several color “families” that are being favored for the upcoming seasons. Remember for a wedding, a color does not always have to be the perfect match. Sometimes using two similar colors with a slightly different hue works beautifully.
Purple- The beautiful thing about purple is carries so many hues that you literally go from pastel lavender to the deepest black/purple. Purple looks stunning with a full bloom bouquet of white or if you’d like a very rich toned wedding, pair it with a bouquet that has leafy greens and burgundy florals and deep purple berries. Magnolias, fully bloomed roses and orchids also look perfect against purple.
You can brighten or deepen the colors with accessories. A lace shawl will bring a bit of color. Also, select shoes that are lighter. Gray, bone, cream, or even clear will lighten the look if you are going for early autumn. For modern colored wedding palettes, you do not want to accessorize with silver. Stay with lace, crystals, gold, cream, or ivory.
We have seen a recent trend toward dresses that are not blazing pure white in color. Especially for fall and winter weddings with deep hued palettes, a stark white dress can sometimes look out of place. We love the trend toward softer, more subtle beautiful fabrics. Candlelight as a dress color is stunning for fall. Soft creme in a lace or flowy sheer fabric is gorgeous for winter and fall. If you’re on a budget and looking for a beautiful dress for less, we love these affordable casual wedding dresses made by Azazie. We especially love Addy and Ember.
Gowns can be tea length or longer, etc.
Also keep in mind that when it comes to fabric, a different material can make the same color look different. So be sure to order swatches or view the fabric in person!

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


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(Black) Magic – Black magic is always bent on evil. Dreaming about black magic is indicative that our soul is in dire peril of falling into the great abyss. Black magic represents selfishness, which is the root of all evil including anger, resentment, jealousy, greed, malice, hate, spite, lies, fear, pride, sloth and gluttony.
Dreaming about black magic means that you or someone close to you has fallen into the trap of selfishness. It is important that you or they practice forgiveness and generosity in order to counter the negative powers that are encircling you.
I had a dream in which i at NIGHT in an empty room which usually has a table and a chair and i study in the room.
In dream, i put HOLY PEACOCK FEATHERS against a CANDLE sort of thing, chanted some CHANTS and the feathers moved away and went shivering. I am writing one more dream i saw on the same night in a reply.
I don know if it was a dream or nightmare so im invited to clean this house by this family and i do for a while untill one day there all mad at me but its a ruse and the family chased me then corned me i tryed fighting back but was overwhelmed and nothing i seamed to do did anything i think they cursed me all i saw is the gold cresent moon before i went under after in the dream the head guy told me that my dad ” practically handed me to them” after i whent to new Orleans to get help i was explaning to the women in the shop what happened then i woke up bad blood was written in cursive in my dream.
Just had a dream where a witch with black magic was trying to kill me and a house full of random people i just met in the dream.i could predict her presence because things around me would decay such as a baby lamb in the back yard.we all grabbed hands at a table and prayed and on the table her face appeared in it as if magic….it was so real and scary i started to pray in my dream so loud i heard it and woke myself up.
I just had a dream and for some reason I can’t sleep (it’s 2:45AM) It was night and everyone was asleep (it was pretty late, I think my sister was up too, I can’t remember, I don’t remember if I had woken up or was already asleep) I went to eat a piece of bread, my sister appears and we start talking until I saw that the front gate and door were open and I went to lock them telling her to do something (again, I don’t remember all I know is that she left). I hurried and locked it but when I did I saw a man in black outside hurrying over to me and I hurried back inside and lock the door (it was a glass door) and when I look up out the door he was there with a hammer and was about to smash the door, I remember staring at him and him stopping, and that’s when I wake up.
Oh and I also dreamt that i was wifi a bunch of girl all making a circule. I remember a girl telling us that no matter what not to open our eyes. And then she started shanting something. I opened my eyes and there was this huge demonic thing without it’s eyes. One of the other girls also had there eyes open and I remember her being in shock and the thing broke the circle by grabbing the girl and slamming her to the ground and started acting like a dementor (it was sucking something, I remember the feeling like I was sophocating (sp?) and the girl cying. Then the one chanting started screaming a name really high pitch. And that’s where I woke up.
I had a dream ,I m with my family on a vacation, when we chose a twisted and bended lone banyan tree for staying at night which will never happen. It’s like a spend an ilentire night there and at dark night I touch a bloody bone that was on the ground mistaking it as a stick,I am not able to get than bone off my hand and a black magic person who eats human is trying to kill me for which my family members and my mother is not helping me and turning their backs at me.. I felt like i trapped and then all of a sudden I woke up.
I’m looking for somebody to help me get my dreams back. Because someone put a curse on me with black magic.
this was all in my dream.
I dreamt about a witch seemed lady telling me that I have not done right with my gurus. He checks on all my relatives if we are the prey and finally when it checks on me . I have fallen into the prey .


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Coroner's Office says cause of death from "blunt and thermal trauma due to a motor vehicle accident"
Thaddeus Kalinoski was one of the last people to see "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn alive.
Thaddeus Kalinoski was one of the last people to see “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn alive.
Kalinoski, an acquaintance of the 34-year-old movie and reality show star, spent time with Dunn Sunday night at Barnaby’s in West Chester before Dunn died in a car crash. Kalinoski snapped photos of he and Dunn drinking with friends.
Not long after, Dunn died in a fiery crash when the Porsche he was driving went over a guardrail and burst into flames in West Goshen, Pa. A passenger in Dunn’s car, Zachary Hartwell of West Chester, also died.
April and Phil Margera, parents of "Jackass" star Bam Margera say Ryan Dunn was like a son to them. They are devastated by his death.
Chester County Coroner's Office announced Tuesday that the cause of death for both Dunn and Hartwell was "blunt and thermal trauma due to a motor vehicle accident and that the nature of the deaths was accidental." A toxicology report is not due back for a few weeks.
Dunn appeared on MTV shows “Jackass” and “Viva La Bam” and the three “Jackass” big-screen adaptations. He also was the star of his own MTV show, “Homewrecker,” and hosted “Proving Ground” on the G4 cable network.
Dunn’s passenger, 30-year-old Hartwell, worked as a production assistant on the movie "Jackass Number Two" and starred in Bam Margera's movie "Minghags."
As for Kalinoski, he says that Dunn will never be forgotten.
“He’ll be completely missed and we love him,” Kalinoski sobbed.


text: Looking for a luxury Rio de Janeiro property for sale? Rio Exclusive is a leading agency in Rio de Janeiro specialising in luxury real estate in the best areas of the city. We buy and sell top of the range villas, apartments, and penthouses in Rio de Janeiro.


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During the spring of 2013, NPR and APTS worked together to strengthen the 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting advocacy campaign. The sole objective was to make this resource a more capable and vital asset in the effort to preserve federal funding for public broadcasting stations.
Three steps were taken to achieve this goal. First, they commissioned focused research into the characteristics and opinions of supporters of public broadcasting on federal funding. Next, they engaged a digital partner, The Beekeeper Group, with deep expertise in online advocacy strategy and website development, to assist us in building a more robust and effective online advocacy platform. Lastly, they identified and agreed upon a core bucket of key advocacy and social media strategies to recruit more public broadcasting supporters to our campaign, especially in regions where they were needed most and where public advocates could do the most good.
All of this work led to a more unified, coherent and purposeful plan to better serve stations’ local advocacy efforts. With the insight of the research and the expertise of a digital partner, NPR and APTS re-launched the national grassroots efforts under a new name and a new website: Protect My Public Media.
Their efforts to protect federal funding have been rooted in enabling supporters to take action in their communities to speak out on behalf of local stations and the programs they love. And the new website has made this task easier and more straightforward.
The new website launched in July. Its layout and design is more streamlined and advocacy-focused, making it easier for supporters to take action to support the local stations and programs they love. There is a renewed focus on social media strategy to bolster advocacy efforts in key regions, including a blog co-written by NPR and APTS staff. And, they enabled all of these new features with mobile capability so that supporters can engage with the campaign, whether they are sitting at their computers, using a tablet, or on their phone.
Among the exciting new features within Protect My Public Media is an interactive grid of testimonials from public broadcasting supporters sharing why local stations are important to them. Stations’ roles in communities are as important as ever and your help is needed in constructing a compelling portrait of local support across America in this interactive grid.
Click here to learn about the NEW Protect My Public Media online campaign.

industry_corpus2: Media & Journalism


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"Mammograms are important because they play a key role in early breast cancer detection and help decrease breast cancer deaths," said Kathie McCracken, director for women's health patient advocacy and medical ethics in the Military Health System.
"They can be used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease," she said, "or to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of the disease has been found."
The National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., reports that more than 192,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
Early diagnosis, officials agree, is the key to ensuring the best-possible outcome. The five-year survival rate of patients diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer is 95 to 98 percent, the National Cancer Institute's research reveals.
The military's TRICARE Management Activity is working to get the word out, too, reminding its beneficiaries that mammograms save lives.
TRICARE covers yearly screening mammograms for women ages 40 and older, at no cost to them. For those considered at high risk, TRICARE covers mammograms beginning at age 35, officials said.
TRICARE officials reported the stories Mara Street and Heather Cooke, military spouses who initially balked when their TRICARE doctors suggested mammograms.
An Air Force spouse and mother of six, Street said she didn't think she needed a mammogram because she was healthy at age 40 and had no family history of breast cancer.
But when the clinic staff called to press her to make an appointment, Street listened. Street had her first mammogram and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"If it hadn't been for [the clinic] making two phone calls, we may have waited until she was 50 years of age, and our opportunities and options would have been grossly limited," said Street's husband, Timothy.
Heather Cooke, age 52, married and mother of four, also learned after a routine mammogram that she had early-stage breast cancer. After undergoing a series of procedures, she is now cancer-free.
"My doctors have told me that because I was able to detect [the cancer] early and aggressively attack it, that my chances of not having another cancerous growth are 99 percent," she said.


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Now that we’re into our second week of rotational grazing, I’ve take the time to get the Gator, my “grazing-mobile,” prepped for the season.
We rotate animals to new paddocks every 3-4 days. I like to have my go-to-supplies on hand so I’m not constantly running back to the barn or the shop for things, and then back again.
This season I also spray painted some of the harder to find in the grass items blaze orange in the event I misplace something. I should be ready for just about anything when it comes to fence repair, waterline repair and working with my goats and guardian dogs.

industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


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This is contrary to reports by some international bodies that the election was free and fair. Campbell, in his election post-mortem for the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC obtained by The Guardian yesterday, said the election was marred by historically low turnout and credible allegations of rigging.He noted that the electionwas a step-back from that of 2015, adding that actions should be taken to identify what had gone wrong and what could be corrected.
The former ambassador alleged that there were evidence that the security agents at some polling units prevented voters from casting the votes, particularly in opposition strongholds, and intimidated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad-hoc members of staff.
He said: “Buhari and his main challenger, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both Muslims from the Fulani ethnic group in northern part of the country, are part of the political class that have dominated Nigeria since independence in 1960. Their contest meant there would be no generational leadership change in a country where the average age is 18 and half of registered voters are under 35. Buhari, who spent much of his last term abroad for medical treatment, hardly campaigned at all.
“During their campaigns, the candidates and their parties offered little that was new to address security breakdown caused by Boko Haram in the country’s North-East; conflict over land use, ethnicity and religion in the Middle Belt; and the division of oil revenue in the Delta. Moreover, they were mute on climate change, urbanisation, and a population boom that is expected to push Nigeria past 450 million people by the middle of the century.

industry_corpus2: Politics & Administration


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Monograms are initials, embossed or embroidered on silver, linens, or other items to give them a personal stamp. There was a time when almost every wedding gift bore a monogram when it arrived. However, you probably won't want gifts to be monogrammed until after the wedding. This will give you time to decide if you will keep your maiden name after the marriage, or to design a contemporary monogram that includes both your husband's and your own first initials. So, what etiquette guidelines should you keep in mind as you pick a design for all of your wedding registry items? We found a few helpful ones!
Ask your registry consultant or wedding stationery resource to help you choose an appropriate style and make suggestions. Some general options include a single initial (usually your husband's last name); your first and last initials and your husband's first and last initials; your first initial and your husband's first initial; the initial of his last name, large, at the center, with each of your first initials on either side.
Can I tell guests not to get gifts engraved?
Since most stores have a no-return policy for monogrammed items, it's totally normal to ask guests to hold off on adding their own, especially if you've created a personal monogram. Request on your Wedding Gift Registry list, "Please do not monogram."
What should I do if our joint initials spell out a word?
If your initials create a real word, like JAR, FUN, BAD, ICK, etc., choose a monogram in which the last initial is in the center, larger than the other two: jRa, fNu, bDa, iKc, etc.


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I just know we've been awfully needy this first year... That says to me what I already knew...you make it happen for your clients.
Thanks for the advice. BTW people love signing up online and it makes my life much simpler, a win/win!
I see you all over the place for different events and things. I think it is a great service you offer to non profits.
They need all the help they can get and your company makes it very easy to allow online donations: Good job.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! You did in a few days what other folks were (supposedly) working on for weeks. I cant thank you enough for your help.
"Can't wait to get rid of Pay Pal! Yahoooooo!"
You can't imagine how lucky we feel to have 82North as a resource. It was certainly a wise investment! As you can see, we have used it beyond our original intentions. Thank you so much!
Customer service is fabulous (a huge plus in my book - I'm a real stickler for that) and the fees are unbelievable. I believe AEA's contract for 1 year is $150, and that will now include a one-time dedicated on-line link for our Investors In Education Campaign which will launch in a few weeks. They will manage all of the money coming in from that campaign and provide us with detailed donor reports. A great resource to keep in mind and recommend to our clients.
You are amazing! I wish I had that talent for technology. In that case, it would be great to have the cash, check and charge payment options and then we dont have to recreate the reports by pulling info from two different areas. This is great. I will be showing this to the group at St. Mary Magdalen this weekend. If they have any questions, you can be sure that I will be emailing you on Monday.
Thank you so much!!!! You made our life so much easier the night of the auction. We will be calling you again!
Thanks so much for your time today- so glad we subscribed with 82North!


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This guide explains how to take a screenshot on the Moto G6, Moto G6 Play, and G6 Plus. If you want to share or capture something on your screen, like a conversation or email, you do it by taking a screenshot. This is a basic feature available on any phone but you need to know how to do it first.
This works the same on all Motorola smartphones. Whether you call it a screenshot, screen grab, or you just want to save a funny text message, here’s how.
It’s really simple, but it won’t work if you don’t press both buttons down at the exact same time. Push down and hold both buttons, hold for a second or two, then let go. You will see and hear the screenshot capture. Your Moto G6 will save what’s on the screen and you can instantly access it from the gallery, or from the notification pulldown bar.
In the notification bar, you can open, share, or edit the screenshot. Giving you quick access to modify something or share it with a friend. This is a great way to capture a funny photo you see on your phone, save an address or sentence from an email, or screenshot and save an entire text message conversation. Basically, you can save any and everything you see on your screen as an image.
Now that you know how to take a screenshot on the Moto G6, give it a try today. While you’re here we recommend buying one of these 10 best Moto G6 cases to keep your phone safe.


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I have been a military history, modelling and wargaming enthusiast since I was 8 years old. What a great combination we have in our hobby: endless researching, therapeutic painting, compulsive collecting and strategic thinking. Everyone should do it!
It all started when my brother and I were each bought a packet of Airfix 1/72nd plastic figures by a relative back in 1970 – we had hours of fun pitching my US Marines against his WW1 Germans! Auntie Louis has a lot to answer for.
From there we progressed to model tanks, and about three years later – after seeing an article in Battle magazine – I played my first real wargame using model tanks and plastic soldiers on a squared grid system. I then found several books by Donald Featherstone and Charles Grant in the local library and made a point of getting them out repeatedly – I was hooked!
I discovered the Society of Ancient and WRG when was 11 – first playing 4th edition and most things since. I spent my early teens, collecting micro-armour after my first games of desert tank warfare on the drive of my good friend Mark Bevis (guru on WW2 and all the weird armies of the Napoleonic era and publisher of the MicroMark lists). I was introduced to Napoleonic’s by Tony Dalton (now of the Reading Club) using Bruce Quarrie’s Napoleonic Campaign in Miniature. Since those early days I have played everything from ancient Egypt to Sci-fi, from 1-1 skirmish to massive campaigns, and from historical refights to competition games – and enjoyed them all.
I have made some fantastic friends from the hobby, both at clubs (I am often seen at Reigate, Farnborough and Oxford) and on the competition circuit in the UK, and around the world playing in places as far afield as South Africa, America, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. I have made friends across the globe through my hobby, and with the wonders of the web and modern communication I feel closer to them than ever. Through the 90s I played a lot of competition games (with the very popular DBM system conceived by Phil Barker), and had some success in the competitions. I was often a competition umpire and creator of competition clarifications for those rules.
I started creating rule systems back in the early 1980s. I have always had an interest in game systems and indeed a fair part of my second degree was about game theory (Russell Crowe played its pioneer, and one of my heroes, Professor John Nash in the film “A Beautiful Mind”). This combined with a good grounding in stats and simulations has, I hope, made for a decent basis for rule development. In the 2000s I became a published rule author myself, as one of the inventors and authors of the very popular Field of Glory rule system published by Osprey Publishing/Slitherine.
We all owe a great deal of to thank the founding fathers of wargaming – people like Donald Featherstone, Charles Grant, Bruce Quarrie, Phil Barker, Terry Wise, and Phil Bath. As the saying goes we can no “stand on the shoulder of giants” to move our hobby forward in to the modern age.
Now I have the opportunity to give something back to the hobby and I hope you all like the results and enjoy them. At the end of June 2016 I am retiring from full-time work and have started TheWargamesZone.org as a vehicle for me to develop further rule systems and enhance the community of world wide wargamers. As part of the “retirement” plan we are also moving the family to South Africa where we will be setting up a TWZ Holiday Centre in the sun in Cape Town – more news in 2017. I will be back in the UK about 6 times a year to do what little work I am keeping, but mainly to attend tournaments and shows, and to get some serious gaming in with my friends.
I am particularly passionate about trying to get new people into our hobby. We are an ageing niche of table top players yet computer games have 100,000 of youngsters playing with tanks and planes on-line. Whenever and wherever I show such youngsters the tabletop game they are fascinated and interested. The modelling and 3D side of the game still appeal. We need to embrace he new world and encourage as many people as possible to pick up our fine hobby. Indeed we owe it them. Our hobby is fantastic for personal development. I made a career as Strategy Consultant for big business, to this day I am convinced it is my hobby – started so young – that led to this success.
Mortem et Gloriam is the first of a series of wargames rules I will be releasing over the coming years. I have been mulling over ideas for various rules for a good 20 years but never had time to develop them fully. Now I do. Mortem et Gloriam came out on July 1st 2016 and is growing rapidly – well over 1200 players. Small army variants are out Jan 2018. WW2 is out 2019. Renaissance 2020. Napoleonics 2021.
A special thanks to my play testing team who have provided invaluable input and tested the rules in all situations ranging from friendly club games to the most rigorous of competition environments. Most recently to those in South Africa joining the group. And to the whole MeG team who have done the most amazing job on 600 army lists. It is so good to have a great team of enthusiasts working together.


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Cecelia “Fi” Mazanke has been empowering people through her Leadership Coaching techniques since the start of the millennium. Fi’s unique discovery process using the body’s wisdom uncovers a person’s road blocks to unveil the power of possibility within. The direct connection that occurs as a person remembers his/her greatness inspires success in all areas of life. The far reaching impact of Fi’s coaching methods includes improved business or sports performance; enhanced personal relationships; healing of emotional stress; and an overall feeling of joy, peace and purpose. Outcomes are achieved quickly as Fi’s clients discover their innate wisdom.
Fi began coaching in January of 2000 in the marketing company in which she worked. The success of Fi’s program was evident when one client more than doubled his business in a year and another client shifted her debt to being able to save over $17,000. The program swept the nation. In 2001, Fi stepped out of corporate coaching to diversify her client base to start Direct Connect Coaching. Direct Connect Coaching is based in beautiful St. Charles, Illinois. Fi works with clients of all ages and backgrounds throughout North America. She can be reached at fi@directconnectcoaching.com.
Supporting people in feeling empowered and inspired to utilize their gifts and talents to live their dreams. This includes moving through any road blocks that may be hindering success. This process is done through a loving and trusting relationship where criticism and judgement are removed and freedom to live in the power of possibility is established.


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Fenwick patent litigation partner David Tellekson spoke with Law360 about the Supreme Court of the United States’ hearing in Commil USA LLC v. Cisco Systems Inc. The issue before SCOTUS is whether to uphold a Federal Circuit court’s ruling that a good faith belief that a patent is invalid can be a valid defense to induced infringement.
The current case will be decided by only eight justices, as Justice Stephen Breyer has recused himself. In the event of a 4-4, split, the Federal Circuit's ruling would prevail.
After the hearing, Tellekson told Law360 that based on the justices’ observation of inducement as being similar to aiding and abetting, there "appeared to provide some cause for optimism" for proponents of the Federal Court’s decision.

industry_corpus2: Law & Justice


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CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is proud to present the winners of the annual Men's Indoor Track & Field Track Athlete, Field Athlete, Rookie and Coach of the Year awards for the 2018-19 season. These awards are voted on by the coaches within the conference.
The 2016 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year Sean McAneny has transferred his success over to this year's Track Athlete of the Year. The Greenville, N.Y. native finished first in the SUNYAC Championship in the 3000 meter run with a time of 8:36.41. The junior earned All-Conference first team for his efforts in the championships. In the prelims of the 2019 NCAA Division III Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships McAneny ran 8:22.21 to advance to the finals on Saturday. He finished fifth in Saturday's 3,000 finals with a time of 8:17:12 to earn All-American status.
From Central Islip, N.Y., the junior Micah Assibey-Bonsu wins the Field Athlete of the Year award. At the SUNYAC Championship Assibey-Bonsu took second place in the triple jump with a leap of 14.27 meters and earned a place on the All-Conference second team for his efforts. He finished second nationally in the triple jump, breaking a 36-year-old school record in the process, to highlight the Red Dragons' performances at the final day of the 2019 NCAA Division III Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships. Assibey-Bonsu covered a distance of 15.00 meters (49' 2.5") on his first attempt of the day, 13.77 meters on his second and passed on his third attempt. He earned three more attempts in the finals, with the last of those tries marking his second-best distance of the day at 14.48 meters.
The first year athlete from Warwick, N.Y. has been selected as the 2019 Rookie of the Year after a stellar season for the Red Dragons. At the SUNYAC championship this year, Dane Sorensen placed first in the pole vault with 4.80 meters earning him a spot on the All-Conference first team. He finished 12th nationally in the pole vault after clearing 4.60 meters (15' 1"). Sorensen was one of four competitors to finish at 4.60 meters and earned the highest spot of that group with the other three taking three attempts to clear that height.
For the first time since being named head coach for the Golden Eagles, Ed Jaskulski is being honored as the Coach of the Year. Jaskulski was named the Director of Cross Country and Track & Field following the 2013-14 season and served as an assistant to the programs since 2002. Brockport men's track and field finished second in the SUNYAC championships this year and also had 11 different athletes on the All-Conference first, second and third teams.


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Yesterday's divided U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sharply restricts the use of students' race to achieve diversity in public schools has left state and local education officials uncertain whether the decision cripples programs to integrate classrooms across Massachusetts.
The ruling could affect communities that enroll thousands of Massachusetts students through the Metco program or those that oversee internal efforts to ensure racial balance in neighborhood schools.
"Metco is a voluntary desegregation program that works," said Wayland schools Superintendent Gary Burton, whose district enrolls 132 children through the program. "I think a lot of people would be upset if the program" was affected by the ruling.
The Supreme Court yesterday rejected school diversity plans that take account of students' race in two major public school districts, but left the door open for using race in limited circumstances.
The decision in cases affecting schools in Louisville, Ky., and Seattle could imperil similar plans in hundreds of districts nationwide, and it further restricts how public school systems may attain racial diversity.
The court split, 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts announcing the court's judgment. The court's four liberal justices dissented.
According to Justice Stephen Breyer, in the dissent, said Roberts' opinion undermined the 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education. That 53-year-old case outlawed segregation in public schools.
In Massachusetts, legal advocates are reviewing whether the ruling affects the Metco program, which allows nearly 3,300 students to attend 190 suburban schools, said agency spokeswoman Catherine Tang.
It is also unclear whether the decision will impact 22 school district's use of state-approved plans to reduce racial imbalance inside their buildings, including Framingham, Waltham and Worcester.
State education officials are studying how the decision affects local schools, said Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll, who added that any changes will be made "thoughtfully."
"It does not, however, mean the end to educational equity," he said in a statement.
U.S. Sen. John Kerry criticized the ruling, saying it threatened the Metco program.
"This decision has turned Brown vs. Board of Education's promise of fairness and opportunity for all upside down," Kerry said in a statement.
Hudson Superintendent Sheldon Berman - who starts his new job as head of the Jefferson County, Ky., schools next week - said the ruling should not change his future district's objectives.
Louisville's schools spent 25 years under a court order to eliminate the effects of state-sponsored segregation. After a federal judge freed the Jefferson County, Ky., school board, which encompasses Louisville, from his supervision, the board decided to keep much of the court-ordered plan in place to prevent schools from re-segregating.
"In some degree it's disappointing," said Berman. "I don't think it's going to be as impacting as it might seem."
Framingham School Committee Chairman Philip Dinsky did not believe the ruling would affect the town's own school choice program.
"We've come to the conclusion that desegregation should be based on socio-economics, not race," said Dinsky, who had not seen a copy of the ruling.
More than a quarter of Framingham students qualify for low-income statutes, according to state education officials.
About 32 percent of Framingham's roughly 8,000-member student body are ethnic minorities, according to the state Department of Education, but census data does not count Brazilians as a minority group.
The town also enrolls four students through the Metco program. Dinsky was uncertain how the ruling would affect Metco enrollment.
In Wayland, Burton said the town has participated in Metco for nearly 40 years.
"(Metco is) one of three voluntary desegregation programs (across the country) that works," said Burton, who had not yet read the court ruling. "It's a jewel in the crown of the state's effort (toward) voluntary desegregation."
Many of those children are black, but several students of Hispanic and Asian descent are included in the program, he said.
"It makes no sense to bus white children from Boston to the suburbs - that's not desegregation," said Burton.
Natick Superintendent James Connolly said it was too soon to know what the effect of the ruling will be. Natick enrolls about 60 students through the Metco program.
"I don't know if this will have an impact on the Metco program," said Connolly.
MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Mass.) correspondent Eric Athas contributed to this report. John Hilliard can be reached at 508-626-4449 or jhilliar@cnc.com.


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Sell your QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA items on eBay !
Im my opinion Italian prog does not come better than this group. Although short in time but time only , this style of music is the most present in Italian prog but few of them manage to move my neurons like they do. The music on here is simply stinging me with curiosity , something that many of the other bands mange not.
The first release from QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA and in my opinion one of the all time Italian prog greats. This excellent debut album has a strong PFM-like attitude with loads of violin and classical themes. Songs are delicate and exceptionally well performed with warm precision. Imagine great 70's sounding keyboard work layered with flute, violin and great guitar work and you have got QVL. As you listen to this album four toes will be tapping and you hands will be moving as this music captivates your motor reflexes. QVL draw on some pretty heavy classical interludes to build their music on. Along the way we are treated to many thematic mood swings and tempo changes. This album has many standout tracks which combine the classical underground 70's Italian sound with a solid blend of tranquility and beauty. Vocals are very expressive and are full of harmonic textures.
This debut album and their second one as well are almost equal, regarding of their good skill at the composition; even though the present debut is closer to such stuff by PFM, as from the use of the violin and considering also their classical arrangements, rather than resembling only the acoustic lightest moments within the stuff by Mussida & company, unlike "Il Tempo della Gioia". However such arrangements are often inspiring despite of being quite similar to those ones by PFM . Moreover "Q.V.L." are not a derivative ensemble: in fact this opinion is confirmed by the array of personal arrangements. Their true imprinting, which made this album a classic one in the seventies!!
Excellent, sophisticated, melodious Italian progressive rock music. Using flute and electric violin liberally, this album reminds me a little of PFM and JETHRO TULL. All the songs are very good but I particularly like 'Realtà' which is mellow, and 'Dialogo' which is heavier with some good synth, bass and drums followed by vocals making a great song. 'Immagini Sfocate' rocks, as does 'Il Cieco' which also has some great flute work. 'Verso La Locanda' starts with some slightly jazzy violin and piano and then ups tempo; the track reminds me a little of TRAFFIC in places. The last track 'Sogno, Risveglio E...' starts with some good piano and electric violin, and turns into quite a classical-sounding piece with a good tune.
I should also mention that the electric guitar, bass and drums are by no means neglected on this album. I suspect that this album would appeal to the entire spectrum of progressive rock fans: it doesn't have the very sentimental feel of LOCANDA DELLE FATE which is a turn-off for some (not me, though), it has some very melodious parts, and there are also some good heavier parts. Only if you're not keen on violin might you not like this album so much, as the electric violin does play quite a role; it does fit in perfectly though.
A timeless classic of Italian progressive rock. Highly recommended.
Quella Vecchia Locanda's debut album is quite an energetic offer, full of electric fire, which comes from both the rock and the blues area, and yet, their style can't be labelled as hard prog (more suitable for Metamorfosi, Biglietto, Museo Rosenbach.). Sure these guys can rock, since there's plenty of highlight space for the guitar riffs, and there's also furious drumming and mean bass lines along the way; but regarding the repertoire as a whole, you can tell that the presence of recurrent baroque motifs, as well as some passages full of Mediterranean romanticism (tracks 3 and 8, by he way, a delicious closure), keep the sonic balance in favour of the achievement of an overall symphonic prog sound according to regular standards. At this point, the general reminiscences may be accurately referred to PFM, though by no means is QVL to be considered as a clone. The vocal performances are somewhat relevant in QVL's repertoire, though the lyrics are not precisely too abundant: yet, the two lead singers the flutist and the guitarist) alternate their different ranges for good effect, and there's also a bunch of enthusiastic choral parts. The violin is the most prominent lead instrument, since it not only serves as a basis for all those classically inspired intros and interludes, but also appears as a complementary companion to the electric guitar parts in most of the heavier parts: straight examples of this are incarnated on the first two numbers, though QVL shines in its most explosive levels on tracks 4-7. These ones really show you that Donald Lax, despite being the last to enter the band, became te main muscal focus for the sextet. The flute passages add some excellent colours into the varied musical pallet created by QVL (lovely lines on track 3), while the keyboardist makes tasteful use of chords on the piano, the pristine harpsichord, and the aggressive organ, as well as mesmerising ambiences on mellotron and some occasional solos on synth. Tracks 6-7 are my favs when it comes to appreciating the most inspired level of interplay among all six musicians. 'Quella Vecchia Locanda' is a real Italian prog gem, that should have deserved a better sound production; sure some of the material could have actually benefited from a little more consistency in the arrangements department, but all in all, it is a stunning piece of prog music.
The debut-album belongs to the top of the acclaimed Italian progrock from the Seventies, it contains eight beautiful and original compositions. They are a bit short but it's such a splendid blend of folk, classical and symphonic. The music is build around the magnificent (inter)play from the sparkling piano, compelling violin and cheerful flute but some guitarplay (acoustic and electric) adds a pleasant dimension to the very warm atmosphere on this album. SIMPLY WONDERFUL!!
"I live in this dark wood where there will be no other life than the mine. I love the world but the world hates me. Its refusal means death for me, death for me..."
Quella Vecchia Locanda is an important italian band of the seventies with that peculiar sound, an evocative reference to classical and baroque music. Rich instrumentation: flute, piccolo, piano, organ, mellotron, moog, electronic zither, spinet, acoustic and electric vionins (their trademark, wonderfully played by Donald Dax), bass, acoustic and electric guitars, 12 strings guitar, drums, percussions and frequency generator.
Their self titled debut album is a wonderful product of the year 1972. At the time they seemed to have a wide success, maily due to the great live shows as for example the Villa Pamphili Festival. It's trange thing such a band only managed to release two albums and then disappeared.
I do not think their first album is their best effort. It is excellent, indeed, but lacks sometimes in maturity, in my opinion. In particular you can hear many references to Jethro Tull that will be gone definitively in the second work, which seems really more original both in sound and music' structure.
"Prologo" is a delightful opener and immidiately the listener is pleased by the fantastic violin. "Immagini Sfocate" is the most explosive and hardest track they ever recorded. All the lyrics's meaning is not what most people could imagine listening to their music: anguish, illusion, fear, tremor for existence.
From the first sound of Donald Lax's marvelous violin which opens "Prologo" you know that the QVL sound is unique. They are one of the most distinct and important bands from the classic Italian scene. Mixing rock with a classical or jazzy sound and incorporating flute, violin, guitar, and keys with a tightly wound "Fragile" style rhythm sound. Add to that very good Italian vocals and lots of mood changes and you have the right ingredients for a great debut. Some think there is a Tull comparison here but it is only fleeting to me-QVL sounds like no one else. These songs have the punchy quality that PFM sometimes has and maintains the sound quality level.
Lax now lives in Hawaii and is still performing. While recalling his time in QVL very fondly, in a 2004 interview he sadly reports that the band never made a cent from the albums, were treated poorly, and were not even informed of the reissues. He says he had to go on the Internet and pay for his own music just to get a copy!
"Un Villaggio, Un Illusione" does sound a bit Tullish when the flute kicks in albeit with mad violin the comparison is only partially worthwhile. It is Lax's marvelous playing that steals the show here, without it this track is basically a grooving rocker.
"Realta" begins softly with acoustic guitar before the warm vocals usher in a nice melody. This track sounds very PFM with piano, flute and percussion all very good. This has to be one of the most perfect examples of the beautiful Italian sound.
"Immagini Sfocate" sounds quite experimental at first but devolves into a guitar rocker with some great drumming at the end and a nice guitar solo. The lead guitars on this album have a unique sounding distortion to them, quite dry.
"Il Cieco" and "Dialogo" both have some nice moments but with less of the magic of the other tracks. "Verso la Locanda" is better than the previous two but again I sense some lack of direction in the overall song.
"Sogno, Risveglio" may be the highlight of the album and I think it hints at the potential that this band would realize on their masterpiece two years later. Gorgeous pastoral moments mingle with occasionally edgy violins and an unsettled piano that keeps trying to rock the boat. But they come together at the end for a lovely closing.
Both QVL albums are a must for anyone interested in putting together even a modest Italian collection. This debut is more accessible at first and more instantly likable but their follow-up is the real thing, even if it takes longer to appreciate.
The Japanese mini-lp sleeve is another gatefold that shows off the beautiful cover art that I never get bored with. The remastered sound is excellent for the time period. 3 ½ stars.
I have to admit that I like the Italian prog style quite a lot although I have only reviewed a few albums so far (lot more to come). But I'm afraid that I won't be in-line with most of the reviews for this one.
I am lacking the emotional style of several other bands from this genre. Contemporary of "Quella" or not. This mood will be present, but too scarcely (second part of "Prologo" for instance). Quella mixes the classical genre too much IMO. When I listen to "Un Villaggio, Un'Illusione", I can't find any link between the several parts of the song (even if it is rather short one).
My second preferred track of the album is "Realta". When you listen to the intro "Immagini Sfuocate", you'll know where "La Maschera Di Cera" got part of their inspiration. But I very much prefer the complex style of "La Maschera" to the one of "Quella". Mater of taste I guess.
The jazzy and chaotic start of "Il Cieco" contrasts with the classical break which follows. Nice fluting (but this is valid in any number featuring this instrument). Vocals are weak in here while the finale is very pleasant.
There are several very good moments on this album but short and too few. "Dialogo" is one example. Lot of energy developped; but it sounds a bit too jazzy for my taste. But again, a very gentle and tranquil part will bring a breathe of fresh air.
At times, I fully fall in love with this band. It is the case when I listen to "Verso la Locanda". This is what I expect from an Italian band, I guess. Fully symphonic, beautiful harmonies and passion (even if some jazzy flavour is present). The best song, IMO.
Another RPI legend and among the Italian prog wave's founders,QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA were formed in Rome in 1970.They started as a pop/rock group and actually there is an early live recording from 1971 with famous covers and three original arrangements with hints of what was going to come a year later.So,in 1972 the band released their first eponymous debut through Help Label.With a total sound lifting QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA delivered superb-executed symph-oriented progressive rock with deep vocals and rich compositions.Their style starts from delicate acoustic guitars,tasteful flutes and soft musicianship and ends in furious driving violins,up-tempo rocking structures and classical interludes and interplays.A magnificent album,QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA's debut is among the greatest albums of the traditional Italian progressive rock!Nothing more or less than extremely highly recommended!
QVL's debut album is a good choice if one is interested in jumping into the ISP environment. Here you'll find a lot of the issues that made the sub-genre fame: bombastic instrumentation, dramatic vocalization, all-weather symphonic atmosphere blended with touches of jazz and folk, weird sound effects and neat rock tunes. The influences are all displayed too: Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, late Beatles, other contemporary Italian pop & rock & prog acts, opera compositions, some classical movements, etc.
In many cases, this mayonnaise may taste sour and indigest but it's not the case for QVL's "QVL" where all condiments are disposed accordingly, turning this release into a nice appetizer, truly an indication for beginners - considering that notorious ISP fans know this album from heart since it's really basal. Also noticeable is that unlike other Italian prog conceptual albums of the same period, QVL show a bit of irony together with the usual tragic and/or pastoral widespread themes.
'Prologo', the opening track is a fine introduction card for the album content, a real summary of everything to be heard en suite: flute, guitars and vocals are grabbing. 'Un villaggio, una illusione' keeps the climate warm with its colorful violin intro, later replaced by a mix of instruments playing in frenzy. 'Realta' is soft and catchy while 'Immagini sfuocate' jams intensely. 'Il cieco' closes album's first half not in the same level of previous tracks.
Final part is a memorable one, thanks to the stunning section provided by the last 3 tracks, a gorgeous and admirable musical adventure, supplied with beautiful flute and violin chords, backed by splendid piano and keyboards tunes. The farewell song, 'Sogno, risveglio e.' deserves the honor to be included in the pantheon of the great prog songs ever recorded.
No need to add more, except to recommend this magnificent album as an excellent addition to any music collection (be it prog or not).
Rough around the edges and filled with spontaneous, infectious bursts of energy, Quella Vecchia Locanda's first album easily finds a place in your heart if that's what does it for you, musically speaking. At first it almost felt too unpolished, as if some of the songs were put together mostly on a whim; lacking in smooth transitions and natural mood-shifts. Thankfully, after a dozen or more listens, that criticism still remains, but the fantastic music has been given a proper chance to grow.
Unfortunately, this is one of those rare albums that just doesn't reach me on an emotional level, even though it has all the characteristics for it. The only reasonable explanation I can think of is the fact that much of it feels very slightly familiar. Almost every spin of it have revealed new passages, breaks or moments where I can swear I've heard almost the exact thing before. Most of these moments actually originate outside of RPI, from all over the prog spectrum. While initially mostly funny, it now somehow alienates me from the record. Paranoia? Perhaps. But it sure consumes some of the originality for me.
It is an interesting and varied blend of all the characteristics of RPI, I cannot deny that. Stating that this is one of the most representative albums of them all isn't much of an exaggeration. There are the abundant classical influences, folky touches, inspired vocals and warm keys. On top of that also an interesting rhythm section with a skilfully played, more melodic bass and great flute and emotional violin work. Just as many other early albums playing this kind of music, much of the heavier influences are still there. Definitely more hard-rocking than what the poster names PFM, Banco and Le Orme come across on their biggest albums. It adds spice to the mix, a quality that makes this album interesting for people with a broader taste of music, who not necessarily think RPI is a sub-genre for them. Some songs almost come across as some kind of contemporary pop-rock, reaching its peak in the often eerily Babe I'm Gonna Leave You-like Realtà.
The more I listen to this album, the more I feel that it can be broke down in four distinct pieces. The hard 'n' heavy guitar and rhythm-carried parts, the Tull-ish folk-jazz blend with flute, the pastoral and delicate classical arrangements and finally the best part of it all; where it all forms a consistent whole. I'd want more of that fusion to be really happy with this album. Too often are these individually excellent parts just that.alone. One follows after another without interfering with each other, making many of the songs feel scattered. This might come across as a little stingy, but this is what keeps me from enjoying the album fully, even with the many pros considered. When these different parts diffuse in to each other in an original way, those moments aren't far from the masterpiece zone.
Recommended for discovering many of the characteristics of the genre. 3 stars.
4.5 stars. There sure isn't much about this album that I don't like. Lots of variety on this one with excellent vocals. I like the prominant piano, violin and flute. I really like the edge that this record has, their second album would be much softer.
"Prologo" opens with the violin, piano and guitar trading off. Drums come pounding in as the tempo picks up. Great sound as piano and violin dominate. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Synths and a beautiful soundscape follows. A calm 3 minutes in as it becomes dreamy. It kicks back in before 4 1/2 minutes to end it. "Un Villaggio, Un'Illusione" opens with some terrific violin melodies as drums pound. Guitar and flute come in ripping it up. Vocals a minute in. Amazing section. A calm with flute after 1 1/2 minutes as it builds. Violin is back after 3 minutes. "Realta" is a mellow track with birds chirping as acoustic guitar and flute are gently played. Reserved vocals join in. An outburst a minute in and then it calms back down as piano takes over. Themes are repeated as vocals, acoustic guitar and flute return. Some violin 2 1/2 minutes in.
"Immagini Sfocate" is experimental to open. A violin / drum melody arrives a minute in. Mellotron 1 1/2 minutes in followed by guitar tearing it up. Vocals follow. This is fantastic ! "Il Cieco" opens with a catchy beat as synths then vocals join in. Piano comes in and i'm finding it impossible not to groove to the music. A calm as violin and flute take over. The uptempo melody returns 3 minutes in. Violin and piano end it. "Dialogo" opens with drums, bass and synths. A calm 2 1/2 minutes in as vocals and piano lead the way. Synths 3 minutes in and then drums. "Verso La Locanda" opens with piano then violin and drums come in. It picks up 2 minutes in with flute. A calm, then reserved vocals come in after 2 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in after 4 1/2 minutes. "Sogno,Risveglio E..." opens with piano as mellotron comes and goes. Violin after 1 1/2 minutes and then flute. Vocals 3 1/2 minutes in. Themes are repeated.
There is so much to enjoy on this album. If you want to check out the Italian scene then this is a must.
01. Prologue Classical, classical music all! Interesting. violin solando much, I felt an influence of Vivaldi in the violin, which makes everything even more interesting. The next to voice synthesizers also provide a different touch. An incessant melody broken until .... ours, a melodious guitar and keyboard doing to bridge the voice even more beautiful. In the first theme returns to the flute appears to enhance further the theme, Jethro Tull? Influence total.
02. Un Villaggio, Un'illsione What I talked about the Vivaldi is further confirmed here. Only this time mixed with the Rock (and well before heavy!) The voice and could not fail to be Italian in the bands are very well sung, the very language gives a taste of most everything. The second part reminded me something I do not know and explain but it is very good, and once again the influence of Ian Anderson on flute, which is fine (Jethro Tull).
03. Realtà The classical guitar renaissance is that voice takes on the issue (along with the flute). The violin with wha wha was interesting and also the piano, in general the sound of the guys Quelle Vecchia Locanda is very classic.
05. Il Cieco The various vocal jazz piano and give the tone that follows in style. In the second duel of the violin and flute, you need more?? Keyboards and various traditional flutes. This is extremely beautiful. And once again the second most rock, and again pro Psicodélico.
06. Dialogo Synthesisers excellent. Instrumental even better. Duplicates the vocals near the piano, moogs strangers. Of trash!
07. Verso La Locanda Piano and violin, hit the weight attached to classic, one of the first bands to do that. The timbre of guitar music that are heavy for the progressive patterns of the time, gives a whole charm, serious and well- marked low, Romualdo Coletta has beautiful lines in that song.
08. Sogno, Risveglio And ... This here is classical piano total, Massimo Roselli is worthy of concert. Are still added to the mixture violin and flute, this is classical music from beginning to end! And if anyone cares? Of course not, but soon enter the smooth voice of Giorgio Giorgi (owner of flutes, too)!
This disc is almost classical music, wonderful musicians and music idem. When I heard I was in doubt that he was recorded in 1972, I find it very 'fresh' face again! Excellent!
Indeed, The Old Inn is a band to remember carefully, because after 37 years, the record has still an heavy impact on the serious listener: you just can't get enough of it.
The inevitable Jethro Tull comparison is not as big as I read somewhere else; they have their own sound and range of originality. Proof, name a band with tragic italian/gypsy violins melted in classical grand piano with tempestous flutes and mellotron all together?...just a magical atmosphere for you to discover.
It's a blessing not having to search too hard for this record compared to other italian cds; so take advantage and give it a shot!
A complete winner, worth every penny.
The first of only two studio albums from Quella Vecchia Locanda, this eponymous debut released in 1972 is rightly regarded as a highly important album in the RPI genre. Their second album, Il Tempo Della Gioia would take them into mellower territory, expanding on the classical influences already on display here. Their debut however is to a large extent a more bombastic affair with a rawer sound, yet still displaying moments of finesse and beauty.
Alongside the classical influences is a band playing powerful early seventies prog on the rocky side, sometimes reminiscent of early Jethro Tull; I'd be very surprised to hear if they weren't an influence. To reinforce the Tull vibe is the use of flute to great effect. Equally important to their sound is the exciting violin playing, ranging from the sublime like on Sogno, Risveglio E... to wilder moments perfectly captured in album opener Prologo. A solid, though not complex rhythm section lays the foundations for this alongside some impressive keyboard work to please mellotron, moog and piano lovers. Electric guitar, again has a Tull vibe at times as well as some tasteful acoustic playing and Giorgio Giorgi is a very good vocalist displaying a powerful and melodic voice capable of subtle restraint like on the folk inflected Realta.
It's a fairly short album at only 34 minutes, the eight compositions all between the three to five minute mark, but surprisingly with such short pieces they still find the space for dynamic instrumental workouts which do tend to take precedence over the vocals. The melodic nature of the material here makes it a very accessible album, an ideal early entry into discovering the vast world of Italian Progressive rock.
Many years ago, a friend introduced me to QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA (That Old Inn), with an original cassette of their self titled debut, my first thought was that I would probably listen another good band from the fertile Prog scenario of the early 70's, with beautiful melodies and a pastoral sire, but I was wrong.
QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA is a different specie, of course they have that unique Italian melodic sound but their approach is much more aggressive than most bands of the region, the massive use of violin makes the different to most of their coetaneous plus the fact that they still have a post Psyche sound reminiscent of the 60's with a relation to FOCUS rather than to any other band.
"Prologo" introduces us to their unique style, the first section is a contrapuntal between violin, piano, violin drums and then a an explosive section as intricate as the early works of KING CRIMSON, this guys rock much more than their peers and are not afraid to take a violent approach instead of the mellow and soft that we could expect from other band of Italy, even the choirs are absolutely radical with polyphonic and almost chaotic arrangements, in other words one in a kind.
"Un Villaggio, Un 'Illusione" starts again with the violin as lead instrument with a strong and perfectly syncopated drum as support, when the flute enters, I feel all the style of Thijs Van Leer, and the vocals introduce us to Hard Rock with a sound of the late 60's. The bass work by Romualdo Coletta is brilliant, and maintains the band connected with reality while the rest of the instruments are allowed to wander through uncharted territory. Special mention to the breathtaking violin solo, is simply outstanding.
The first notes of "Realta" announce that this is the first track in which they sound more as a classical Italian band, the sweet melody is impressive, but still the multi layered vocals indicate that the band wants to be unique. Even when they never abandon the soft mellow sound, they manage to experiment with contradictory styles and complex arrangements.
"Il Cieco" begins with a drum and bass duet that leads to some sort of Italian Rock with touches of Prog, but it's not until when the instrumental breaks begin that they dare to explore most than almost any Italian band of the era, the JETHRO TULL aroma is there, but much more rough and aggressive.
"Dialogo" is another complex track that reminds of KING CRIMSON structures, with a lot of dissonances and complex sections that morph into different ones in a matter of seconds, the song jumps from elaborate and weird to melodic and soft and weird again, in other words pure Progressive Rock.
"Verso Locanda" sounds like an Emersonian keyboard nightmare with Jazzy atmosphere and ultra radical changes, a good prelude for the melodic and extremely beautiful"Sogno, Risveglio E..." that closes the album with a fantastic piano performance by Massimo Roselli who almost makes me break in tears, specially when the nostalgic violin of Donald Lax and the flute of Giorgo Giordi join to create a Classical oriented song that closes the album with a special taste.
To be honest there are many Italian Symphonic albums that have impressed me more, but this album deserves no less than 4 stars, despite my personal taste.
One of the aspects of RPI that appeals to me most is that the classical influences are transparent. That is, while Genesis and ELP have some obvious roots in classical music, the Italians seem to have it written in their marrow. The amount of "rock" in their prog is variable, but the classical influence is always crystal clear. Among the bands with the heaviest classical flavor, by far my favorite is Quella Vecchia Locanda (QVL). Their second, classic album was the second RPI album I owned and I still hold it as one of the masterpieces in its genre even after acquiring a much bigger collection. I later acquired their self titled debut and found another great piece of work. Perhaps not as evocative as the sophomore, it is still a grand album well worth owning.
Interestingly, one of the stars of this particular album is an American, classically trained violinist Donald Lax. His violin opens the "Prologo" theme which is echoed by various other instruments, and then has a torrid solo which would have been a better example of the devil's champion that that offered by Charlie Daniels. Indeed, despite the minor keys and classical arrangements, his energy and tonality are almost fiddle-like, stretching an already diverse sound.
The most rocking part of this band is the rhythm section. Conventional trapset and electric bass form the backbone, and they can range from quiet accompaniment to nice bombast. Unlike the second album, guitar plays a slightly larger role, with the track "Immagini Sfucate" having both a distorted riff and rock leads. Flute plays a large part in the mix, adding a significant 60's psychedelic flavor. The voices are pleasant and less operatic than some RPI, though they still fall within genre. Finally, keys range from clean piano to distorted organ and possibly mellotron.
Some of the highlights are the Genesis-like "El Cieco" which features frenetic rock interspersed with ethereal flute interludes, the aforementioned creepy "Immagini," and the Zeppelinish "Realta." The latter combines with the Italian harmony vocals beautifully, before a wah-electric guitar brings up the intensity. The whole album is more rocking than the second, more intense, but also lacks a little of the intricacy and longer, more ambitious compositions. Still, it is an excellent piece of work and among my favorite RPI albums. 4 stars.
Quella Vecchia Locanda's first of only two studio albums (a shame, really), offers a tornado that ripped up symphonic and heavy progressive rock styles and churned out something delicious yet hard to digest. Most of the pieces are admittedly disjointed- the compositions do not all flow very well, but the individual ideas themselves are quite a compensation. All in all, this is an important album for any Rock Progressivo Italiano collection.
"Prologo" With call-and-response violin and piano, other instruments join in, soon creating a frantic yet easy-to-follow rhythmic backing- it is the violin that is the most crazed, sawing through several lower notes before abruptly shooting up into a long high one. Backed by that same rhythm, the singing comes through loud and clear, with a floating monophonic synthesizer in the backdrop. It all falls away to bring in gentle acoustic guitar and more keyboards. The flute solo at the end is a non sequitur, but a welcome one.
"Un Villaggio,Un'illsione" Sweet violin begins this track, offering an almost classical introduction (not unlike the Electric Light Orchestra). Soon it becomes a bit harder rocking than the previous track; the lighter flute passage is akin to early Jethro Tull, but that violin sets it apart.
"Realta" A delightfully familiar finger-picked acoustic guitar passage provides this song's gentle, melancholic foundation. The vocal harmonies are excellent, and this time the flute outshines the violin. For those familiar with The Steve Miller Band, "Winter Time" sounds very much like this song.
"Immagini Sfuocate" Emerging with a far more experimental sound initially, this piece eventually takes on a more coherent form. From then on, it's all heavy progressive rock finished off by a quick drum solo.
"Il Cieco" The drums fade back in, inviting a cool bass groove to tag along. I really like this primal rhythm and the harmonic synthesizers that creep in. After this, however, is one of the most breathtaking passages I've heard in the genre- violin and flute, like two graceful fairies of different worlds dancing over a lush bed of organ. The tribal business makes a brief return before gorgeous violin and piano finish it off.
"Dialogo" A tumbling bit of guitar and synthesizer kick this off, and soon there's a funky bass line in 6/4 time along with a nasally synthesizer lead. The vocals arrive over piano, and the late verse has a slight Supertramp feel.
"Verso La Locanda" A strange bit of piano opens this track- it sounds like a nervous child practicing at home under the watchful eye of an instructor. A refreshing violin and some rock music rescues the lad. This is, however, the most disjointed of the material on this album, with several abrupt changes and an apparent lack of direction. The verse is one of the quietest points. The flute plays over a calm electric guitar, but everything settles into a nice groove with yet another interesting bass line, and as it picks up, a wild synthesizer solo concludes this difficult music.
"Sogno, Risveglio E..." This has the same feel as the previous track initially, like that of a person practicing the piano at home, although the player here is clearly more advanced- in fact, the piano is brilliant, and the ghostly violin adhering to it, followed by a reluctant flute, is one of the highlights of the album, despite not being a rock song at all. Vocals follow, with discordant fills on the piano. It is strange to me that the band would choose this sleepy work as the conclusion to such an otherwise dynamic and disorderly affair, but perhaps that is my American sensibilities peeking through!
The opener "Prologo" (Prologue) depicts in music and words a desperate and gloomy landscape of solitude and alienation, an old and decrepit house in a dark wood where even the worms refuse to live, where love for life gets hate in return. The very first notes are picked up from Johannes Brahms' piano trio, op. n. 8, then the music develops in a shifting way before calm down... "These walls are heatless and dark / You can find here nothing but pain / Light I'm looking for you / Life, I'm running after you".
"Realtà" (Reality) is a beautiful dreamy ballad where the dread illusion melts and hope rises... "I can breath / I can see the light... Pain, hate and love do not make any sense to me by now / I look at the sky that resembles to me / A storm starts raging / Shouts, lightning, wind... They do not notice the people who is suffering and envy their honey... I'm dreaming of something that could give you a real peace... Who can understand this reality?".
"Verso la locanda" (Towards the inn) is another excellent track, bittersweet and dreamy, where the violin leads the way to the house of joy... "Thousand shadows are running in my direction / Come, my friend / The way is long but I will lead you / That's the inn...".
One of the reasons RPI attracts me so much is the endless diversity between bands. Most bands only managed one or two albums, but with each new discovery you get introduced into an entirely new sound world, often taking influences from the UK bands but molding everything into something personal and unique.
Quella Vecchia Locanda is no exception. Their debut is a prime example of the creative bliss that struck Italy in the early 70's, mixing clashing elements such as heavy prog, classical piano and violin, Jethro Tull folk flutes, Italian pop and much more into one heartfelt and passionate album. The vocals are outstanding, very emotive, both tender and full. This nation can sing! The music reminds me a bit of the Paese Dei Balocchi album, another example of that rare successful marriage between rock and classical orchestration.
With no dip anywhere in the entire album, this is yet another highly original and captivating RPI album. Looking forward to the next one!
The debut album by Quella Vecchia Locanda is a concept album about a person experiencing an allegorical dream, in which they try to seek out a legendary inn ("Quella Vecchia Locanda" meaning "That Old Inn"...) in which the joy they used to feel in life can still be found. Though the typical RPI influences of Trespass-era Genesis and Jethro Tull are to the fore on this album, at the same time it also displays an impressive ability to synthesise these sounds into something new, yielding a gentle, acoustic style of prog much along the same lines as Premiata Forneria Marconi's work.
This is the debut by an excellent RPI group that released only 2 (now-classic) albums before collapsing due to the lack of greater success. As with PFM, the sound of QVL included flute and violin, but these bands have otherwise quite different styles. Instead of PFM's soft, pastoral and romantic side QVL has more dynamic rock attitude, and more complex time signatures. (I prefer PFM.) These musicians share the passion for classical - especially Baroque - music, and many of them had classical studies. This shows mostly in the virtuotic use of instruments, especially on violin and keyboards (including harpsichord). The compositions are complex but not "symphonic" in the YES sense. The longest track lasts no more than 5:15.
One can make comparisons to e.g. KING CRIMSON and GENTLE GIANT, but QVL don't quite have the wide pallette of moods, forms or arrangements (like PFM also does), but instead play with high intensity - and complexity WITHIN the tracks - most of the time. One of the highlights is the soft instrumental first half of the ending track (title meaning "sleep, waking up and...") with the piano lead, where also the flute part is gentle. Then suddenly the sharp violin - soon followed by vocals, guitars and drums - brings more edge to the track. The flute is often very JETHRO TULL influenced. Acoustic guitar is not much heard even if there is some folk flavour here and there. The violin is often a bit too strong for my taste. Since I have several negative notions about this undisputed classic, I give it three stars only. Probably not on my Top Ten of Rock Progressivo Italiano albums, but definitely worth recommending if you enjoy classical influences served with the rock power.
A true gem of not only the Italian scene, but prog as a whole. Quella Vecchia Locanda's debut self-titled album is a real treat, playing out like a storybook, painting vivid musical pictures as it takes its listener on a spell-binding journey.
Many people have noted stylistic similarities between the band and Genesis or Jethro Tull. While these comparisons are valid, they're a little bit contrived. Sure, there are lyrical, pastoral moods, charismatic vocals, classical interplay and heavy blues rocking throughout the album but those are just characteristic of the Italian sound. No cloning to be heard here.
So what makes "That Old Inn" stand out so much in the vast RPI scene? It really all comes down to composition. This is one of the most wonderfully, thoughtfully, intelligently composed albums that I've heard. The amount of energy that the album conveys is incredible, and it's evident from the opening bars of "Prologo", yet it's not a hack-and-slash headbanging album at all. There's such a great diversity of mood in this album, from soft, nocturnal pastoral sections to spirited classical melodies to hard rock riffing. And what makes it so powerful is that it's all delivered so succinctly. "Quella Vecchia Locanda" offers build-ups, climaxes, lyrical storytelling, breathing room, all in the short span of under 35 minutes! Though it's a shorter album, the length makes it easily digestible and always leaves me in awe, wondering how a band can take me on such a great journey in such a short time frame.
An absolute must-have for anyone looking for a quality album that's short and sweet. 5 well-deserved stars for an underrated classic.
This is a nice blues rock album with a lot of input from classically trained musicians and composers. The presence of flutes, violins, and clarinet make it a little more interesting. The drums and bass play make it sound rather dated.
An album that does a fairly competent job of melding classical music instruments and compositional styles and themes with rock instruments and formats. It would have been better if the rock compositionship was a little beyond fairly simple, straightforward blues rock formats.
A near-masterpiece of classically-infused blues ("progressive") rock.
QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA has so much more of a beautiful ring to the ears than the rather plain sounding English translation 'This Old Inn' which found this band from Rome carrying on the Italian progressive rock tradition of taking on a cutesy band name in the same style as Premiata Forneria Marconi (Award-winning Marconi Bakery) and Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (Bank of Mutual Relief). This quintet formed in 1970 and enjoyed a rather vigorous live setting that helped them become one of the more remembered Italian prog rock bands of the heyday in the early 70s. Their eponymously titled debut emerged in 1972 after a rather pop-oriented beginning which while almost completely faded into history left traces only lingering about on a various artists compilation titled 'Progressive Voyage' (The track is titled 'Io ti amo' or in English 'I love you.' While they would hone their prog rock chops in no time and be ready for the big time, there's no doubt that the pop aspects of this band carried over to their proggier side and allowed them to dish out some of the more melodic flow of compositions in the Italian prog rock scene.
QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA only released two albums in their short career with this one being released on the Help label and then finally getting picked up by RCA for their second album 'Il Tempo Della Gioia.' While they only released two albums, both are quite distinct in their style despite both firmly placed in the category of classically infused rock with folk and jazzy touches. This debut album lacks the production prowess of the second album but for my ears is the more interesting album of the two as it unleashes a powerful youthful exuberance and enthusiasm that 'Il Tempo Della Gioia' lacks as they began to slip into a comfort zone but a very beautiful one i must add. The band's main leaders were lead singer and flautist Giorgio Giorgi, guitarist and clarinetist Raimondo Maria Cocco, keyboardist Massimo Roselli and percussionist Patrick Traina who all played together in the earlier pop rock phases of the band but for their more adventurous prog years added Donald Lax to dazzle with his violin skills that added a unique gypsy swing and Paganini element to the band's overall sound that set them apart from many of the purely symphonic rock contemporaries of the day.
'Prologo' bursts onto the scene with a scorching duo between the violin and piano with the guitar bursting in and finally the drums and as the intro cedes into the more symphonic leaning rock segments, the instruments all go crazy on each other. Lax plays both acoustic and electric violins and sometimes delivers frenetic assaults reminiscent of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and at times reminding of the folkier side of the prog rock scene from such bands like Comus or Spirogyra. While not unique to QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA, the band mastered the dynamics shifting of soft sensual classical piano oriented pastoral segments with the heavy guitar laden rock sections that allowed Roselli to unleash his best Keith Emerson inspired keyboard wizardry. Certain tracks like 'Un Villaggio,Un'illsione' display Lax's playing around with Bach, Brahms, Corelli and other classical masters and weave them into a more Paganini performance that would be reworked into the rock fusion compositions that start out with classical intros and slowly morph into the heavier guitar, bass and drum action accompanied by the passionate vocal style of Giorgi who had the perfect vocal style for this type of music magic.
It may only last slightly over 34 minutes in duration but the debut album by QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA is one of the best offerings the early RPI scene had to offer. These eight tracks are chock full of passionately strewn classically infused rock sophistication very much at a level of the other greats of PFM, Banco, Il Balleto di Bronzo, Le Orme and the rest. The music is as perfectly constructed as the stunningly beautiful album cover and covers so many grounds in such a small amount of time that i can easily put this one on rotation and listen to it repeatedly without getting bored for one second. This band mastered the melodies, the Tull inspired folk feel, the ELP keyboard prowess, the medieval chamber aspects, the freak gypsy folk and the symphonic heavy rock. Chock full of brilliant dynamic shifts and progressive time signature workouts without sacrificing some of the most intricately designed melodic developments, QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA is one of the Italian greats of the era. For my money this debut release is one of the absolute best examples of this era of Italian progressive rock that rightfully deserves all the high praise and positive criticism that it has received ever since.
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