Zucchero & Co.
Customer Review:
A must for any Zucchero fan!
Please note this review is pertaining to the IMPORT (not Italian) version of this CD which has 18 tracks. Of the four extra songs not on this CD, only one of them is a 'skipper,' (the Tom Jones duet that I mention below). Otherwise, it's worth the few extra dollars (I think) to get the longer, IMPORTED version. If not, get this one! You have got to give Zucchero a try if you haven't already. I also highly recommend his "BLUE" CD.
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I adore this CD. It's worth the price just for the Macy Gray (Jeff Beck) duet in "Like The Sun" which is my favorite, if I was pressed.
If you already have 'SHAKE', you will recognize the John Lee Hooker duet from that cd; but you can't hear that tune too many times, either.
"Blue" from the BLUE cd is made fresh with the Sheryl Crow addition. I don't know who "Mousse T." is, but the "Mama Get Real" duet is a toe tapping winner.
I only have to skip past a couple of unfortunate songs here: the duet with Tom Jones (!!) being one of them. But there is Lots to love here like I said before-well worth the price for any Zucchero fan.
regards,
Laurie in Alaska
Come Sweet Soul of Mine, I Lay Down With The Angels
John Lee Hooker sings with his soulful voice and mellow tones with Zucchero's rustic, Italian pop and blues, "I Lay Down". This song was recorded in 2001, and John Lee Hooker died in a month's time. When you hear this tune, you will play it over and over in your mind.
"Come sweet soul of mine
I lay down with the angel
I lay down with an angel
I lay down
With an angel
I lay down
With an angel
'cause she treat me kind sometimes
Vieni in me
Portami via
Ali d'oro"
Zucchero which means Sugar, whose real name is Adelmo Fornaciari, was born in Roncocesi, Italy. He learned to play the organ at church, and was eventually introduced to Black Spirituals by a visiting American. He formed his first band known as "Le nuove luci", The New Lights. He traveled Italy playing his music. In 1994 he played at Woodstock Festival with Eric Clapton and Lucianno Pavorotti. But this is one of the first times his music has been played in the US. This CD is climbing the charts quickly. Zucchero has joined many talented musicians and has produced a CD of magnificence.
The most magnificent of these tunes is "I Lay Down" with John Lee Hooker. I forecast this as a top ten hit. This is followed by "Blue" sung with Sheryl Crow, with her lovely, lilting voice. They performed "Blue" first in 1998 in another album. The lyrics are written by Bono of U2. This song will catch you and lift you into the stratosphere.
Former Cranberries singer, Dolores O"Riordan, sings "Pure Love" with Zucchero, a memorable performance. She has a particularly lovely accent.
Miles Davis heard the song "Dunne Mosse" "Dune of Mercy" on the radio while he was touring in Italy, and he performed it with Zucchero first in 2001 and then in 2003. Gravelly voice and catchy rhythm.
Sting asked Zucchero if he could write lyrics to "Muoio per te", "Mad About You."and this is the final version. This is Sting at his finest.
"Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime" with Vanessa Carlton is one of the newer tracks on this CD. Vanessa Carlton plays the piano and Haylie Ecker plays the violin. You will recognize the lovely melody and sing along.
I have not been a fan of Macy Gray, but she sings "Like The Sun" with feeling and style. Macy Gray sings and Jeff Beck added a guitar solo
"Wonderful World", Eric Clapton met Zucchero in 1989 and they started singing together whenever their tours coincided. Eric Clapton at his best,sounds like his earlier style.
"Diavolo In Me" (Devil in me) with Solomon Burke is a treasure. Zucchero and Burke met in the 80's on several tours and festivals. Their styles click and this song is sweet. Higher and higher as the notes and their vocies swell, the sweeter the song.
"Miserere" with Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli was written by Zucchero and Bono. Pavarotti recorded it first, and Bocelli recorded the studio version. Bocelli as an unknown is now a known entity.
This is a masterpiece of an album. The Italian pop and blues of Zucchero mixed with the talented voices of BB King, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Sting, Sheryl Crow, John Lee Hooker and others have given us a mix of a soulful, resounding memory. Highly Recommended. prisrob
Raspy, Sexy---Fresh
Zucchero is a true talent. His Joe Cocker-like voice fills your ears with emotion, pain, exhileration. The songs are fabulous, the arrangements intriguing. He is the real deal. I especially like the songs adapted by Frank Musker, but all are great. He is a master in his prime.
Keywords: Int'l & World Music;
Italian Pop;
Italy;
Latin Pop/Rock;
Modern Electric Blues;
Political Folk;
Pop;
