Greatest Hits [Enhanced][Extra tracks][Import] Review

Greatest Hits [Enhanced][Extra tracks][Import]Nobody ever outpointed Carlo Buti in these Italian pop standards. The best of the songs on this CD---Firenze Sogna, Chitarra Romana, Reginella Campagnola, Violino Tzigano, La Romanina---are heard here in performances not likely to be surpassed. And the other, more ephemeral selections are here ennobled by Buti's performances.

Today's listeners might have some difficulty with the rigid beat and dated orchestral accompaniments on these selections---but they will have no difficulty whatsoever with the sound of Buti's voice, which remains unique nearly half a century after his death. Probably the best selectionof all is "Primo Amore", with words and music by Buti and sung to his own guitar accompaniment. Here, for once, we get to hear his voice without the semi-distracting 1930s dance-music orchestral background heard on the other selections. If "Primo Amore" is the only song you listen to on this CD, you've still bought yourself a bargain. Once heard, Buti's "Primo Amore" cannot be forgotten.

Essentially a light lyric tenor with a sweet, smallish, very beautiful sound, an incredible half-voice, and a more-than-adequate technique, Buti was a master of "fioritura": A vocal technique calling for the singer to embellish the vocal line. "Vocal embroidery" is a good descriptor for this technique---but you have to hear Buti for yourself to see how seamlessly and naturally he makes this traditional technique work in pop material.
You will hear no vocal embroidery, though, in the last selection on the CD: "Luna Malinconia", none other than Richard Rogers's "Blue Moon", here sung in the most immaculate Italian you'll ever hear from a pop star. This is a "Blue Moon" that one hopes Rogers himself heard.

There are no Neapolitan pop classics on this CD. Buti tended to prefer standard songs of the day, often bypassing the Neapolitan songs so successfully purveyed by the great Italian tenors Caruso and Gigli. Buti never had that kind of voice, never had that training, never commanded the huge sound those great artists had. He was wise enough to sing to his strengths, leaving the more heroic material to his opera-oriented colleagues. The wisdom of his decision is evident on this CD.

From the mid-1930s until midway into the 1950s Carlo Buti was the leading pop singer in Italy, with an immense following in the Italian-speaking communities in the United States as well. For today's listeners, those with patience and some understanding of the evolution of pop styles, this CD will provide great pleasure.

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Via Paolo Fabbri 43 [Import] Review

Via Paolo Fabbri 43 [Import]Plain and beautiful, this album is a little gem that narrates of its time, the 70's, and how the generational gaps influenced the society then. There's a lot to think about and a lot needed to be changed when abortion strikes in the heart of the middle-class. The fantastic "Piccola storia ignobile" ("A shameful short story") becomes therefore the most captivating ballad of the album. However, all the other titles bring on the chilling awareness of how too often youth is spent without a guidance, and how much the adults could help, if they could and would. Guccini embodies in "L'avvelenata" (literally "The poisoned") the ultimate outcry of anger and delusion coming from an entire generation lost in the middle of an apparent wealth. The cursing and bad words disseminated in this song were considered irreverent then. They will generate a smile now, perhaps a grin.

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Zucchero & Co. [Import] Review

Zucchero & Co. [Import]Probably one of the best album's I've bought yet. I have never heard a multi artist album collection of this caliber from start to end. (Hey Man / B.B. King / zucchero) how long I have been waiting to get this on CD. I first heard it sometime back on a Pavarotti DVD.Very surprised to hear Marcy Grey bring on with the big name's good on her. Every song on this album goes deep and finds the roots of life. You want to cut yourself away from the rest of the world then listen to this on surround sound and be at piece with your self. To end off, if you ever want to make a unforgettable impression on your partnerhave a candle light dinner and whip this CD on. Say no more.

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Product Description:
Special Australian pressing of the Italian popstar's 2004 compilation of duets includes one exclusive track, 'I'm In Trouble' with Tina Arena (Aussie & French exclusive), along with his breakthrough 1991 hit, 'Senza Una Donna', with Paul Young, & collaborations with Miles Davis. Sting, Vanessa Carlton, Macy Gray with Jeff Beck, & more. Universal.

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30 Ans Ses 20 Plus Grands Chansons [Import] Review

30 Ans Ses 20 Plus Grands Chansons [Import]Adamo's old hits like "Tombe la neige", "Mes mains sur tes hanches" sound familiar and fresh here. From the newer titles I find most touching "Les colines de Rabiah", "Plus fort que letemps" and "Je te dois". He is all the same as in myteen-age: a deep, strong voice, beautiful melodies and very meaningfullyrics. Who else can sing about love like Adamo!

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Ses Plus Grands Roles Review

Ses Plus Grands RolesI agree with music fan USA on their review of Mado Robin and this CD does not capture the voice at its best.If she were alive today and singing in the Opera Houses of the world she would of course be prized and admired. Unfortunately she was around at a time when the world was full of greatsingers, Callas, Sutherland, Gencer et al and the recording companies werelost for choice.Decca/London did capture her voice in the studio and wehave a live Lakme on Rodolphe (nla) but sadly not much is left for us tosavour.Her wonderful range was freaky (if that phrase can be used) surelywe need to preserve everthing we have of these singers and release as muchas possible, Decca/London take note.And surely we need more of Gencertoo.Maybe we the public should raid the archives of Decca/London andrelease many many recordings they have and are still holding onto.Thisdisc at its super bargain price, is a must for all soprano lovers let alonefor the high notes.Mado Robin was a great loss to the operatic world,sadly dying at an early age of 42.Lets preserve the memory of a veryunder-recorded artist.

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Caribbean Voyage: Brown Girl in the Ring Review

Caribbean Voyage: Brown Girl in the RingI was very satisfied with this purchase. It came shrink wrapped and in great condition. I could almost believe that it had never been opened. There was a slight musty/cigar odor, possibly from where it had been kept, but the book is in amazing condition.

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Jussi Björling: Early Swedish Recordings 1929 - 1936 Review

Jussi Björling: Early Swedish Recordings 1929 - 1936These are historical early recordings of the incomparable Bjorling, one of the greatest and most loved voices of the 20th century, starting when he was 18 years old in 1929, through his 25th year.
This was well before his prime, which was from 1945 to his untimely death at 49 in 1960, but the extraordinary beauty of his voice is there, with amazing strength, considering his youth. The clarity and purity of his golden tone shines through, even though these recordings show their age.
The repertoire is varied with lovely ballads mixed with well known arias. With the exception of the later arias on Disc 2, they are all sung in Swedish. Two big favorites are track # 18 on Disc 1, and # 10 (# 30 on the amazon listing) on Disc 2.
The bonus tracks: These were made in 1920, when Bjorling was 9 years old (he made his debut at age 5 !), and though these 5 tracks are not something one would want to listen to for pleasure, the sound quality being dreadful, they are fascinating and have their historical value.
Though this is far from the best Bjorling you can buy, even the less than perfect Bjorling is still remarkable, and an exquisite delight to hear.

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