(12 November 2000) The self-titled album by Filippa Giordano serves
as a wonderful introduction to this exciting vocal talent
(review).
The artist's earlier album is entitled Passioni (Sugar Music (Italy)
SGRD 77826, 1999). The lovely image of the artist shown to the left is from the
inside of the booklet accompanying the compact disc while the one below it is
from the cover.
While Passioni shares seven tracks with Giordano's self-titled
project, it includes five unique to the release. We found Passioni
to be more accessible, with more pop-oriented adult alternative tracks than
classic arias. We were reminded of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion more than
Sarah Brightman when listening to this extremely well-produced album.
As with the self-titled album, Passioni opens with the
"Casta Diva" aria; it also shares "Vissi D'Arte," "Addio Del Passato,"
"Lost Boys Calling," "You Are The One," "Dissonanze" and "Maria" with her
latest release. Several of the arrangements differ slightly, with those
on Passioni being more pop-, or dance-oriented. The five tracks
exclusive to Passioni include "Anyway," "Un Giorno in Piu'," "From
A Distance," "Fly Me Away" and "By The Sea."
"Anyway" is an upbeat contemporary track sung mid range.
A blend of rock and orchestral arrangements back Filippa singing in a
Celine Dion style soaring gently in the song's choruses. The evocative
ballad "Un Giornao in Piu'" is sung sensitively in Italian over a light
guitar and orchestral arrangement and the high notes are especially
reminiscent of Mariah Carey's work. The artist's sensuality is evident
in the pop-oriented ballad "From A Distance." The crescendo within the
song's chorus is a testament to Filippa's powerful and expansive voice.
Certain to please a broad range of audiences, it is a stunning track.
Filippa's voice is perfectly supported by the rich orchestral
arrangements in the sensitive ballad "Fly Me Away." Vocal excursions
soar above instrumentals and pay tribute to the artist's virtuousity.
Her range is accentuated in the anthem, "By The Sea (Maria)," where
vocal passages soar above the stunning instrumental arrangements. We
especially enjoyed the dynamic Passioni version of "Dissonanze."
"By The Sea" is the English version of "Maria"; the latter being the
Italian version of the same stunning and powerful anthem. A hidden
2:40 track consisting of a "By The Sea" / "Maria" instrumental begins
at 5:08 after a blank spot following the conclusion of "Maria."
At this time Passioni is only available outside
Europe as an import. With five highly accessible tracks and alternative
arrangements to some of the pop-oriented tracks on her self-titled album,
we think that Passioni should form a part of any serious
enthusiast's Filippa Giordano collection. Certainly worth a trans-Atlantic
journey, it is as good as or perhaps better than the artist's self-titled
album. We think that Filippa Giordano's Passioni is
absoultely a must listen!
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