This little girl’s voice is quite something – maybe it’s because she shares the same genes as her grandfather, Luciano Pavarotti! She’s only 11 years old but her poise – and also her power when she belts out the notes – is pretty impressive. She definitely needs some voice training to perfect her notes, but for only being 11, she is amazing! Plus, in this video, she’s singing one of the most beautiful and soulful songs ever – and I have to say that her interpretation of this song is very moving! She probably doesn’t really understand the meaning behind the lyrics, but she sure knows how to evoke the appropriate emotion!
Last night I got the chance, once more, to see Zucchero live in San Francisco! This time he was performing at the iconic Palace of Fine Arts! The setting was great, with the most comfortable seats ever! We got to enjoy them when we weren’t standing up to dance and move to the great beats! We were in the 3rd row, with a great view!
Zucchero put on a great performance – I’m always amazed at the stamina these performers have! He played straight for about 2 1/2 hours, never taking a break! His band was great, too! He had players from Italy as well as from the USA and they were incredible musicians! There was a sultry violinist that played front and center and she was definitely a show stopper!
He began the concert with some of the songs from his new album, Black Cat. The songs were good but I have to say that, sadly, they weren’t my favorites. After introducing these new songs, the rest of the night was spent playing lots of his other songs, which were amazing. He played the guitar on many of them, with his mesmerizing voice booming all the while! One of my favorite pieces was Miserere – they piped in Luciano Pavarotti’s voice from the original duet they had performed many years ago, along with the music video from that performance. This was simply stunning! Zucchero singing live while Pavarotti’s voice boomed from the recording! You can only imagine the emotion!
Zucchero spoke to us in his excellent English, even though he claims it’s not very good! He loves San Francisco and it shows! And it seems that San Francisco loves him right back! I saw so many of my Italian friends there – friends from my childhood that I haven’t seen in ages! The Italian community in San Francisco is timeless and seeing these special people is always a priceless treasure!
I posted this a few years ago….and wanted to share it again for a nice Holiday tradition!
Tonight’s the night….are your stockings hung? All over Italy, children are awaiting the loot they will find when The Befana comes to visit. And all women are getting ready for their day….or are they? There’s always the question if being wished “Auguri” tomorrow is a good thing or not, since La Befana is an ugly old witch….and does it mean that whoever is wishing us cheer is thinking we are like La Befana? Quite a dilemma, huh? The story of La Befana is a cute one, and you can read about it on my post here: La Befana by Tesoro Treasures.
But today, I wanted to share a fun little song from 1978, sung by the great Gianni Morandi, about La Befana.
Italian pianist and composer, Ludovico Einaudi, braved the cold and chill to perform a piano concert on a floating platform in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, near the Wahlenbergbreen glacier in Norway. He was assisted by Greenpeace and together they orchestrated this endeavor to demand protection for the Artic. During the concert “Elegy for the Arctic”, I was worried that the reverberation from the piano would cause some commotion on the glaciers and at one point, it did. Whether it was related or just coincidence is hard to tell, but scary nonetheless. The backdrop is stunning and the music, though a bit long, is eerie and mysterious.
As we approach the Christmas holiday, I’m inspired to post a beautiful song sung by one of my favorite Italian artists, Eros Ramazzotti! His songs always have beautiful lyrics as well as moving music. This one speaks of the peace that Christmas should bring, but that is sadly missing in our world today. The official music video (which you can see here and which I could not embed into this post) was filmed under the gorgeous porticos of Bologna and shows Eros dressed up as a homeless man, meanwhile another famous Italian artist, Biaggio Antonacci, poses as a taxi driver. This song about Christmas is from his latest album Perfetto!
LA NOTTE VISTA DA QUI SEMBRA BELLISSIMA STELLE CHE ACCENDONO IL BLU QUANTA LUCE C’E’ ECHI DI UN ALLELUJA CHE NON SI SPENGONO MAI OGGI E’ UN GIORNO SPECIALE, E’ NATALE ED E’ SEMPRE COSI’
DIMMI PERCHE’ E’ NATALE MA PACE NON C’E’ “BUON NATALE” MA IL SENSO QUAL E’ ? UN SALUTO FORMALE NON E’ COME AMARE, QUANTI SOGNI FANNO GLI UOMINI CHE IN UN GIORNO VANNO VIA “BUON NATALE” SE VUOI, QUELLO VERO CHE E’ DENTRO DI NOI DENTRO DI NOI
LA NEVE CHE CADE QUI MI SEMBRA CANDIDA MA NEL SILENZIO CHE FA C’E’ UNA GUERRA IN OGNI TERRA A META’ CHE NESSUNO MAI SALVERA’ ANCHE UN GIORNO SPECIALE FA MALE E TREGUA NON HA
DIMMI PERCHE’ E’ NATALE MA PACE NON C’E’ “BUON NATALE” MA IL SENSO QUAL E’ ? UNA FRASE FORMALE NON E’ UN PENSIERO CHE VALE PERCHE’ C’E’ UN NATALE SE VUOI MA PUO’ NASCERE SOLO DA NOI DENTRO DI NOI
STELLA COMETA SARAI STELLA PURISSIMA SE DALL’ALTO DEI CIELI UN BEL GIORNO LA PACE VEDRAI
DIMMI PERCHE’ E’ NATALE MA PACE NON C’E’ “BUON NATALE” MA IL SENSO QUAL E’ ? DUE PAROLE DA DIRE PERCHE’ E’ NORMALE CRESCERA’ UN ENORME ALBERO QUANDO FINIRA’ QUESTA FOLLIA UN NATALE VERRA’ E PER SEMPRE CI CAMBIERA’ CI CAMBIERA’… CI CAMBIERA’
Recently, I’ve been listening to some old music by the Italian group, Pooh!
This group has been around since the mid 1960’s, and their songs always seem to tell a story. I know that lots of people listen to music for the pure joy of the melody, while others listen carefully to the words. I am one who always listens to the lyrics, and many times I try to figure out what the song is trying to say! Most of the times, I can figure out the hidden meaning, if there is one, but other times, my imagination probably gets the best of me! One of their songs that always makes me wonder is L’Altra Donna (The Other Woman). When I listen to the lyrics, I’m touched in conflicting ways. The song is a type of beautiful love letter to someone they can’t have, but also to someone that they don’t want to have. The singer is obviously married but is singing the song to his mistress. I can’t help but get angry at the singer – he seems to want his cake and eat it, too. He is getting all the benefits of having a wife and a mistress, but yet is being unfair to both of them. I know that infidelity is rampant everywhere, but it seems to me that this song rationalizes its merits because the man is singing about love for his mistress (which proves he’s not a total cad) but yet, he won’t leave his wife for her. In Italy, and not just in Italy but lots of other places too, I feel that the institution of marriage is sacred, but the vow of infidelity is often times ignored. Therefore, men and women have lovers but yet, they will not leave their families for that lover. That’s a good thing, don’t get me wrong, but I often wonder where that leaves the lover, especially if they don’t have a spouse. And it seems to me that the only one who wins, is the one who is doing the cheating! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the song – what do you think they’re trying to say and how does it make you feel?
L’Altra Donna
È ancora tutto all’aria da ieri sera, è più comodo in albergo, paghi il conto e te ne vai; ma in certe cose tu ci credi ancora, far l’amore nel tuo letto, prepararmi il tuo caffè; è poi mi lasci andare via, quando è ora, perché ognuno ha la sua vita, e la mia non è con te. Sei l’altra donna, la libertà, quella che sa e non può dir niente, quella che all’alba rimane sola, e che non può mai lasciare impronte, con me non puoi cercare casa, o uscire insieme a far la spesa, sei l’altra donna, quella importante, quella che ha tutto e non ha niente, di me. Mio figlio è un’altra storia, un altro amore, tu non puoi partecipare, Dio lo sa se io vorrei. Tu in macchina con me non puoi fumare, mozziconi col rossetto. parlerebbero di te; ma in fondo tu che colpa hai del mio cuore, delle ore che mi manchi, dei problemi che mi dai. Sei l’altra donna, la libertà, quella che sa perché ritorno, e quanta pace tu mi sai dare, io dirò tutto a lei un giorno, faremo insieme un’altra casa, io e te che siamo un’altra cosa. Io e te che siamo la stessa cosa, faremo insieme la nostra casa; prima dell’alba c’è ancora un’ora, stringimi forte e sogna ancora, di noi.
Another romantic love song by the great Eros Ramazzotti, this time with the help of Il Volo! Beautiful as always….
Cosí
Cosí cosí L’amore a volte ci dimentica Ci lascia solo un pugno di ricordi Come farfalle libere
Cosí cosí L’amore píano se ne va cosí In cerca di nuovi sorrisi altrove Nei cuori di questa cittá
Aíutami a capire cosa sento Ora nel mio petto c’é un rimpianto Cosí grande cosí grande
Il cuore é come un mare senza vento Muore sulle labbra quell’istante Che era grande Cosí grande
Cosí cosí L’amore piano ci dimentica Lo fa cosí in modo naturale Come é arrivato se ne va da me.
Autami a capíre cosa sento Ora nel mio petto c’e’ un tramonto Cosí grande cosí grande
E non so piu’ che cosa sento dentro Il cuore ha le rughe di un deserto Che e’ troppo grande Così grande
Per noi Che non vogliamo ancora smettere L’amore e’ un bimbo da rincorrere Ma come l’alba tornera’
Da noi L’amore e’ come un uragano Ma se lo guardi da lontano Lo vedi anche da qui che e’ grande Cosí grande Autami a capire cosa sento Ti accorgi di un rumore se si e’spento Quanto e’grande Cosí grande
Ascolta la tua mano sul mio petto Quanto fa paura un cielo aperto
Cosí grande Cosí grande Cosí grande
Cosí cosi L’amore adesso ti ha lasciato qui
Ma senti l’aria arriva un temporale Chi l’avrebbe detto mai
Romantic summer nights, flowy white gowns…perfect summer weddings! We are so excited to have been invited to a wedding in Italy this summer! It will actually be the very first wedding I have ever attended in Italy and I am thrilled to celebrate Italian Style! Even though my wedding was pretty much “Italian” with lots of food, wine, and dancing late into the night, it was not celebrated in Italy! San Francisco’s Little Italy was pretty close, though, so no complaints from me!
As always with Mr. Eros Ramazzotti, he has the perfect lyrics for a the most romantic moment of a couple’s life. Here is his beautiful love song I Will Marry You Because….with photos of his beautiful wife Marica Pellegrinelli. There’s a bit of an age difference and I won’t make judgment – only to say that as a musician, he is WONDERFUL and has the most beautiful way with words. Enjoy!
“Ti Sposerò Perché”
Ti sposerò perché Mi sai comprendere E nessuno lo sa fare come te Ti sposerò perché Hai del carattere Quando parli della vita insieme a me E poi mi attiri sai da far paura Fra il bianco e il nero dell’abbronzatura Ti sposerò perché Ti piace ridere E sei mezza matta proprio come me C’è in comune fra di noi c’è più di una cosa Ti sposerò perché Per esempio so che del pallone sei tifosa Ti sposerò perché Non mi chiedi mai il giorno che sarai mia sposa E poi E poi perché io so già che Se litighiamo io e te Non stiamo mai più di un minuto Col cuore arrabbiato Ti sposerò perché Ami viaggiare e poi Stare in mezzo alla gente quando vuoi E sei di compagnia Si vede subito, tant’è vero Che il mio cane ti ha già preso in simpatia Sono straconvinto che sarà una cosa giusta Ti sposerò perché Sei un pò testarda si, ma quel che conta onesta Ti sposerò perché Per un tipo come me sembri fatta apposta E poi E poi perché se chiedo a te Fiducia e un pò di libertà Non dici no anche per questo Vorrei sposarti presto Ti sposerò perciò Ci puoi scommettere Quando un giorno quando io ti troverò
Italy’s version of “The Voice” has been hit with the latest singing sensation – and an unlikely one at that! Sister Cristina Scuccia, an Ursuline Sister of the Holy Family, has wowed us all with her sensational rock and roll style, all while wearing her black habit and veil! With no makeup and simple clothes, her true beauty shines through as we watch the pure joy she is feeling while sharing the gift that God has given her – her spectacular voice and style! She has captivated our hearts with this simple exterior appearance while belting out songs by Alicia Keys and, most recently, Cyndi Lauper. In her words, “I came here because I have a gift and I want to share that gift. Shouldn’t things be that way?”
Her initial appearance on “The Voice of Italy” blew the judges away. The Italian rapper, and judge, J-Ax praised her by saying: “If I had found you at Mass I would always be in church.” “You and me are like the devil and holy water.”
Would Pope Francis be proud of her? I would think so….and she hopes that he will tell her so! “I am waiting for Pope Francis to call me on the phone. He always says we should go out and evangelize, telling us God doesn’t take anything away from us, but will give us more. I am here for this.”
A native of Sicily, she appeared on the show while her parents and four fellow sisters came to cheer her on. Her first performance of Alicia Keyes “No One” opened the world’s eyes to this Singing Nun, and her most recent performance of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” just continued the awe and fascination of this amazing young woman with an incredible gift – we’re just fortunate that she had the willingness to share it with all of us! Go Suor Cristina!
Last night, my friends and I hit San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall for a live concert by the legendary Italian singer, Zucchero!
First of all, the venue was absolutely beautiful. An old music hall, built in 1907, with carved ceilings and decorated walls, was the perfect venue for an intimate concert. The acoustics were great…the only complaint I have is that it’s not a huge theater and the seating is first come, first serve. Therefore, if you’re not there early, the chances of getting a good seat aren’t great. Nonetheless, even after having to stand the entire night, the concert was entirely worth the slight discomfort! Everyone ended up standing and dancing anyway, so being up on the balcony gave us the perfect vantage point.
Zucchero’s voice live is something that can’t be described. Even though his CD’s are great, they don’t compare to what he sounds like in concert. The rich tones in his voice really blow you away. From the raspy deep tones to a clear melodic voice, he brings so much soul to his music. His ballads were sung beautifully with the words and meaning delivered in such a way to touch you – the true talent of a great soul singer. And his rock songs, performed alongside some incredible musicians, were loud and fantastic! It was impossible not to dance to them! Oddly enough, one of my favorite songs from last night was sung by him in English. “Never is a Moment” is the perfect illustration of his soulful talent.
He was promoting his last CD, La Sesion Cubana, which he recorded in Havana with producer Don Was. Along with tex mex guitars and Cuban rhythms, these songs bring a new element to his style by combining his gospel, soul, blues and rock talent to create an incredible new sound.
After the concert, we got to meet Zucchero’s bassist and musical director, Polo Jones. Throughout his career, Polo has collaborated with mega stars such as Whitney Houston, Andrea Boccelli, Bono, Joe Cocker and lots more! His road to Zucchero began in 1985 when he received a call from producer -guitarist Corrado Rustici, (who performed for us as well!!) to join “Holiday of Hands”, a San Francisco bay area fusion pop band. Shortly thereafter, Polo began recording albums in Europe and hooked up with Zucchero. They’ve been together now for about 23 years!
We didn’t get the chance to meet Zucchero himself, but meeting Polo was definitely a highlight to the evening.