Photos Of Ghosts

PFM released their second album, Per Un Amico ("For a Friend"), in late 1972, and saw it rise to the top of the Italian hit parade—partly due to heavy touring at the time. The band signed to Emerson, Lake and Palmer's newly formed Manticore label to seek their fortune outside of their native Italy. Pete Sinfield was brought on as lyricist and producer for the resulting Photos Of Ghosts, the group's first English-language album. Basically a remixing of their second album, it did feature two songs not on that album: The high steppin' "Celebration" is reprised from their first album ("È Festa"), while the quiet instrumental "Old Rain" is altogether new. Both "River of Life" and the title track highlight the attention to detail that PFM bring to their compositions. "Il Banchetto," the only track sung in Italian, features some delicious synthesizer lines from Flavio Premoli; while "Mr. 9 'till 5" is positively electric. Whether the English lyrics add or subtract to the original music is open for debate (I like it). Not surprisingly (with Sinfield collaborating), the album has a gentler, more reflective mood than its Italian counterpart. PFM's skill in arrangement takes another step forward, although some foreign influences persist (notably Gentle Giant). PFM held their debut concert in the UK upon the album's release, followed by their first tour outside of Italy in support of Sinfield (and Mel Collins). The album even entered the lower reaches of the US Top 200 album chart.