Eros Ramazzotti - 9 CD

9 songs The Italian version of EROS contains 2 songs that do not appear on the Spanish version. It also contains 8 songs that are completely re-recorded. At the height of his popularity, after establishing a fan base for himself across much of Western Europe as well as parts of the Spanish-language world, Italian singer/songwriter Eros Ramazzotti took some time off during the late '90s and released Eros, a greatest-hits compilation comprised primarily of newly recorded material. The 16-track compilation is comprised of five songs that appear in their original versions, nine that have been newly recorded specifically for this compilation, and two new ones. While the decision to re-record the majority of the inclusions is unusual for a greatest-hits album, Eros ends up being a much more interesting album than it would have been otherwise. The nine songs that are re-recorded are the early hits of Ramazzotti, namely "Terra Promesa" (originally released in 1984), "Una Storia Importante" (1985), "Adesso Tu" (1986), "Ma Che Bello Questo Amore" (1987), "Musica E" (1988), "Se Bastasse una Canzone" (1990), "Cose Della Vita" (1993), and a couple others. The five songs that appear in their original versions are more recent hits such as "Un'Altra Te" (1993) and "Più Bella Cosa" (1996). In fact, none of the songs on Eros predates 1993, and only two predate 1996. As a result, Eros sounds as if it were a totally new album -- a brilliantly written one, at that -- rather than a compilation of greatest hits. For instance, there's no trace whatsoever of the sometimes-bombastic synth pop style that characterized Ramazzotti's mid- to late-'80s output. In its place is a more subtle, relatively cutting-edge style of sleek adult contemporary pop/rock that embraces modern-day production technology (note the drum programming in particular), sophisticated string arrangements, and sharper guitar leads. This brings new life to the old material; for instance, the drum programming of "Ma Che Bello Questo Amore" is remarkably contemporary in style, seemingly taking its cues from drum'n'bass. Moreover, there are a couple of guest features worthy of note: classical crossover superstar Andrea Bocelli is featured on a ten-minute version of "Musica E," while American R&B legend Tina Turner duets with Ramazzotti on a dynamite version of "Cose Della Vita" that might be the highlight of the entire album. As for the couple new songs ("Ancora un Minuto di Sole," "Quanto Amore Sei"), neither is especially notable, though neither is particularly bad either and thankfully, they're sequenced late. ~ Jason Birchmeier Personnel includes: Eros Ramazzotti, Tina Turner, Andrea Bocelli. Personnel includes: Eros Ramazzotti (vocals, acoustic guitar); Paolo Gianolio (acoustic & electric guitars, bass); Mike Landau (guitar); Danny Higgins (alto saxophone); Larry Williams (tenor saxophone); Rudy Trevisi (saxophone); Jerry Hey, Cary Grant (trumpet); Bill Reichembac, Charlie Loper (trombone); Celso Valli (piano, electric piano, keyboards, Hammond organ, synthesizer, programming); Jay Winding (piano); Neil Stubenhaus (bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); Luca Bignardi (programming); Antonella Pepe, Aida Cooper, Luca Jurman, Silvio Pozzoli, Luca Velletri, Antonio Galbiati, Raffaella Casalini, Manuela Rasori, Giovanni Dattolo, Mauro Gabrielli, Philip Ingram, Jim Gilstrap, Lynn Davis, Alex Brown (background vocals). Engineers: Luca Bignardi, Mike Tacci, Alberto "Schizzo" Bonardi.

9 album for sale No stranger to success, Europop sensation Laura Pausini sold over 25 million albums in her first decade or so of recording, quite a feat for someone who was just turning 30 years old and had never broken into the lucrative English-language market. Yet she essentially struck out when she did try to cross over to that English-language market in 2002 with From the Inside. Put mildly, the album bombed stateside. Its qualities (and the qualities of stateside consumers) aside, it was the first full-fledged failure Pausini had experienced in a career of multi-million-selling albums and sold-out world tours. Here was someone who had sung for Pope John Paul II at Christmas and for Barbra Streisand at a birthday party, yet she couldn't sing for ordinary Americans, who just weren't interested in her melodramatic schmaltz. And so Pausini took a sizable break, perhaps the first of her whirlwind, world-conquering career. When she did finally emerge from her self-imposed silence, she returned with Escucha, her first Spanish-language album in four long years (not counting her best-of collection in 2001). (The album was also released in an Italian-language version, Resta in Ascolto.) Expectations were high, obviously, for she'd been gone for what felt like an eon in music years, and they were also high because of the dissatisfaction her Romance-language audience felt with her after the English-only From the Inside and its resulting mixed reception internationally. All of the tension seems to have seeped into the music of Escucha, because this is probably the most intense Pausini album to date. Sure, Europop is by nature dramatic in tone, brassy in approach, melodramatic in mood, and bombastic in practice. But man, Pausini really takes that approach to its fullest extent here, for a great many of these songs feel like "power" ballads, with their soft-hard dynamics, soaring choruses, and emotive outpourings. The album's stellar standout single, "Víveme," is the prototype. As its chorus approaches, it builds in tension, only to explode in a burst of strings and voice worthy of a solar eclipse. "Escucha Atento," also a single, is another good example, with its outright rocking chorus (perfectly embodied by its video, which has Pausini emoting the chorus from a mountaintop -- with a setting sun behind her, no less!). And so the album goes, with the earlier-sequenced songs packing most of the punch. That's not really a figure of speech, either -- this album really does pack a punch, especially in terms of Europop. Escucha is a forceful return for Pausini, and it bodes well for her continued success. From the Inside notwithstanding, she's made a great career out of precious and passionate indulgence, topped off with her fragile beauty and Italian-Spanish accordance. Few, if any, have done it better, and for that reason, it's great to hear her regain her footing and deliver a purposeful album that just oozes everything poetic about Europop. Nope, nothing schmaltzy here -- nada. ~ Jason Birchmeier Personnel: Laura Pausini (vocals); Massimo Varini (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Roberto Rossi (trombone); Celso Valli (piano, keyboards); Paolo Costa (bass instrument); Ian Thomas, Alfredo Golino (drums); Luca Bignardi (programming).

9 CD music Beloved Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti's reputation as an international pop star was solidified with this guitar-heavy, rock-leaning album. Several strong songs on this set include the opener "Cosas de la Vida" (which later resurfaced as a duet with Tina Turner), "A Medio Camino," and the duet "En Compania." "Nostalsong," as the name implies, has a nostalgic feel to it, and "Nada de Malo" is one of the album's catchier, more upbeat tunes. There's also a heavy emphasis on slow numbers, several of which are saved for the end of the album, resulting in an anticlimactic ending. Some, such as "Un Fuerte No," recall 1980s power ballads, this particular one complete with gospel undertones. This album's saving grace is Ramazzotti's passionate and capable singing, and a good number of powerful and catchy Latin/Italian rock songs. ~ Jose F. Promis Arranger: Celso Valli. Personnel: Phil Palmer, Steve Farris (guitar); Brandon Fields (saxophone); Kai Winding (piano); Celso Valli (keyboards); Steve Ferrone (drums); Luis Conte (percussion); Luca Bignardi (programming); Beth Andersen, Clydene Jackson, Luca Jurman, Aida Cooper, Moreno Ferrara, Rick Nelson, Renzo Meneghinello, Jim Gilstrap, Joe Pizzulo, Julia Waters, Maxi Anderson, Emanuela Cortesi, Antonella Pepe, Myrna Matthews (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Gordon Lyon; Luca Bignardi.

9 buy CD music The Italian version of this album is STILE LIBERO. Personnel includes: Eros Ramazzotti, Cher (vocals). Producers include: Nacho Mano Nuria, Rachel Diaz, Trevor Horn, Rick Nowels.

9 songs The Italian singer has been a superstar in Europe since the mid-'80s, with his romantic rock songs forming the basis for adventurous musical explorations into Latin rhythms and country music. He solidifies his popularity in the Americas with his tenth studio album, Calma Apparente, an immaculately realized collection of Latin-flavored ballads and more uptempo numbers that frame his soulful vocals with a nuanced, imaginative production.

9 album for sale Eros Ramazzotti stretches his wings and covers a wider variety of styles on his 1996 album Donde Hay Musica. This outing is much less rock-oriented than the previous Todo Historias. The album opens with the pop feel of the title track and never really ventures into the guitar-laden territory that dominated his previous effort. Standout cuts include the ballads "Yo Amare" and the beautiful "Casi Amor," as well as the album's closer "Buena Vida." Other high points include "Este Inmenso Show," which is upbeat, bears a hip-hop influence, and ends as a soaring, gospel-tinged number complete with a saxophone. "Yo Sin Ti" finds Ramazzotti exploring more Latin sounds, and the result is a pleasant, sunny, and breezy offering. "La Aurora" is also a good song, finding Ramazzotti sounding somewhat like Phil Collins. The only problem with "La Aurora," however, is that it sounds a tad too similar (especially in the chorus) to his earlier hit "A Medio Camino" (from the Todo Historias album). If it worked once, it will work again, correct? Not entirely, because this album is, first and foremost, a departure from his earlier sounds and makes for quite a pleasant listening experience. ~ Jose F. Promis Recorded at LCD Studio, Inverigo, Italy; Fonoprint Studio, Bologna, Italy; A&M Studios, Los Angeles, California. Recording information: Estudios A&M, Los Angeles; Fonoprint Studio, Bologna, Italy; LCD Studio, Inverigo, Italy. Personnel includes: Eros Ramazzotti (vocals); Celso Valli (string & horn conductor, acoustic & electric pianos, Hammond organ, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming, background vocals); Paolo Gianolio (acoustic guitar, bass); Michael Landau (electric guitar, guitar); Sid Page (violin); Danny Higgins (alto saxophone); Steve Tavaglione, Kim Hutchcroft (tenor saxophone); Harry Hay, Gary Grant (trumpet); Bill Reichembach, Charlie Loper (trombone); David Garfield (piano); Nathan East, John Pierce, John Pena (bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); Luca Bignardi (programming); Antonella Pepe, Emanuela Cortesi, Alex Baroni, Phil Ingram, Lynn Davis, Jim Gilstrap, Alex Brown, Traisey Elana Williams, Luca Jurman (background vocals). Engineers: Luca Bignardi, Alberto ...