Ad Gloriam

Le Orme ("The Footprint") had typical enough roots for any band from the 60s. Formed by guitarist Aldo Tagliapietra in Venice, the four-piece band, originally named Le Ombre after the Italian word for The Shadows, was a beat era group that recorded singles for the CAR Juke Box label. Guitarist Nino Smeraldi Claudio and bass guitarist Claudio Galieti rounded out the lineup, with drummer Michi Dei Rossi joining in 1968 after their first single, "Senti L'Estate Che Torna" b/w "Mita Mita." Prior to recording their first album, the band expanded to a five-piece when keyboardist Antonio "Tony" Pagliuca hopped on board. Ad Gloriam, released in 1969, follows on the heels of the New Trolls debut as one of the first rock records to come from Italy. The album is more than a curiosity however, and illustrates the band's shift from beat era into psychedelia. After the brief "Introduzione," the gentle, playful pop of "Ad Gloriam" kicks off, revealing the harmonious vocals of the band. "Oggi Verrà" bounces with a punchy bass, while "Milano 1968" goes for psychedelic fuzz. Tagliapietra's voice is distinct; a high tenor with a soothing tone, it would define the band's sound for the ensuing decade. The mellow "Flori Di Giglio" sports a child's voice, while the lengthy "Non So Restare Solo" offers some interesting instrumental work. Following the album's release, Galieti and Rossi left for military service (the latter only temporarily) while musical differences forced Smeraldi from the band; Tagliapietra then switched to bass. Le Orme's singles from the era were compiled on the album L'Aurora Delle Orme by CAR Juke Box in 1970. However, recordings of Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo à la Turk" and J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 would remain unreleased.