| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Gino Vannelli | |
| casparus -- 08/12/2007, 18:43:24 -- #36336 | |
| Over the course of my musical career in performance and learning piano, bass and guitar, I have attempted to broaden my musical influences constantly, in hopes of picking up an idea here and there from as many artists as I can. Beginning with the Beatles/Beach Boys/Stones in the mid sixties I moved to more jazz-oriented rock bands like Blood Sweat and Tears, Chicago, Steely Dan through the seventies, I began to drift more toward ( amongst many others )Miles, Coltrane, Corea, Peterson and Tatum later into the eighties, all the while keeping a close watch on the pop/rock, broadway and even the country scene. Through it all, I would say the performer who has impressed me the most is one which may raise an eyebrow or two from those who have even heard of him—and that is Gino Vannelli. Not a player really, he is a vocalist and a composer of music which brings me to musical landscapes as no one other has. Hailed as “The greatest musician in the World’ by many-- including Miles Davis and Yehudi Menuhin, Vannelli is mostly known as a swoony pop-rock singer who has released 16 albums since 1973. I know Buddy Rich and Oscar Peterson have done covers of his material—there could be more--I’m just not aware of. Many of his earlier tracks are very jazz-oriented , and practically every one of them boasts some terrific chord formations/progressions that sound like no other. What is rather ironic about his singing abilty is that his style isn’t even all that suited for jazz—more for pop or even opera ( he has recorded an operatic CD, also composed entirely by him )! Through the 80’s his material was a bit more pop oriented, yet interesting at times. From this era I would recommend the CD “Storm At Sunup’ or “Pauper In Paradise’ ( the title cut actually being a 4 movement symphony with a full orchestra! ) To me he has the greatest control of musical harmony/timing at his disposable--being able to move in any direction harmonically throughout the song , with more agile and fluid skill than anyone. Two albums he released in the 90’s-- “Yonder Tree” and “Slow Love” are his most jazz-oriented works show this ability at it’s best- with top notch players and production. I would recommend those two works for anyone who is interested in giving Vannelli a closer listen. To the casual listener, many find the songs rather ‘plodding’ and ‘mooshy’ but within a few listens , anyone well versed in musical harmony and production will recognize the sheer brilliance in these compositions and arrangements. I would find it an injustice if any person interested in jazz—or even music for that matter who is not familiar with this artist who I still after all these years cannot find enough superlatives to describe his genius. Here is one of his more recent compositions which is fully orchestrated ( by Gino )with the Meropole Orchestra the North Sea Jazz festival. Take note of how some extremely complex chords move so effortlessly from one to another –building and releasing tension just at the precise moments where they ‘should’—then you realize you’ve never heard anything like this before— a signature of practically every track he has ever recorded. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvdtUG-TGRY I would recommend check a few other entries at YouTube—some older ones are included—and performing with various sizes of accompanying players—all of which are always top notch. | |
| Paul -- 08/13/2007, 09:46:12 -- #36336 | |
| I listened to his stuff alot back in the 80's when my main interest was drumming. He always had great drummers on his albums. Vinie Calauta comes to mind. I haven't checked his latter stuff out but thanks for reminding me about him. | |
| jmkarns -- 08/13/2007, 13:32:45 -- #36336 | |
| Another great Vanelli cut is "Brother to Brother". It's on youtube as well. | |
| Paul -- 08/13/2007, 13:41:08 -- #36336 | |
| Yeah, the drumming on it is great too! Sadly, I found out the drummer on that album died not to long ago. | |
| casparus -- 08/17/2007, 08:25:35 -- #36336 | |
| Paul--yes that was Mark Craney on BTB, a very strong drummer, and died much too young. Graham Lear has also played on his albums, another fine drummer who has also played with Santana and in Paul Anka's orchestra! | |
| casparus -- 08/20/2007, 06:42:11 -- #36336 | |
| Now I find this a curious reaction indeed. After gushing endlessly about this artist, in hopes of having a forum of musically literate participants who I felt would recognize the true genius of an often overlooked artist--all that results is a handful of comments on how good a drummer was that played with him. | |
| jmkarns -- 08/20/2007, 07:39:56 -- #36336 | |
| I find your curious reaction curious as well. You are asking for comments on a pop/jazz vocalist at a jazz piano site. I wonder how many drummers double on piano? OR Vice Versa? OR Verse Visa? | |
| charlp88 -- 08/20/2007, 07:47:27 -- #36336 | |
| I find him a good singer BUT, he is in my "humble", in the genre of Buble Cincotti etc. who I consider O K.There are many Singers out there and he must be compared to the very best once he performs andtries to prove why I should listen to him over the others of his style .Ie kenny Rankin Al Jarreau Bobby McFerrin. Dave Frischberg and Mose allison. I am Sure he will do well.Thx for letting me voice | |
| CynBad -- 08/20/2007, 08:33:28 -- #36336 | |
| There is a jazz piano connection here, and I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it yet. Randy Porter, jazz pianist out of Portland, has played and recorded with Gino Vanelli quite a bit. | |
| Paul -- 08/20/2007, 13:24:34 -- #36336 | |
| Yes I am a drummer that doubles on piano. Sorry, I didn't comment on Gino's talent as a singer/song writter musician. No disrespect intended. | |
| casparus -- 08/20/2007, 13:31:42 -- #36336 | |
| I realize Vannelli is not a jazz pianist, but what I am attempting to do here is direct attention to his composing ability; his unique affinity with harmony/resolution/timing--ingredients I certainly feel would be of interest to anyone associated with jazz performance, regardless of what instrument they play. As he is so highly regarded within the industry, and often overlooked by the public for being 'a fluffy pop-singer' ( among other things )there is far far more here than one initially hears. I have personaaly found an investigation into his works very musically rewarding, and I wanted to share that potential exhilaration with a few musical peers. Yes, vocal style is similar to those mentioned, but inasfar as the material he performs--he goes far deeper into the trenches, and there he manouevres as very few are able . | |
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