Gino Vannelli - A Pauper In Paradise (1977) - €10,00

A Pauper in Paradise is the fifth studio album by Italian-Canadian singer Gino Vannelli.

Gino Vannelli was surfing on a monster wave, he was one of the most creative heads in Pop music during the mid-seventies. By 1977, he felt the need to adapt his sound a bit to what was going on around him. Stylistically, this album stands between the two or three previous albums and the next album, one of his most acclaimed records, Brother To Brother, anticipating in a way that album's sound.

For instance, Gino has female background vocals now instead of dubbing his own voice; those background vocals make a bigger difference than you'd think. And Valleys Of Valhalla and One Night With You are already influenced by that L.A. studio sound brought to fame and fortune by folks like Jay Graydon, a sound which in itself was an derivation of Earth, Wind & Fire's epic sound.
And in retrospect, this move seems to be a first hint at impending doom, the path Gino would take after Brother To Brother - all on a high level, it should be understood. This and songs, which are not as inspired as similar compositions on the last albums, therefore only two and a half stars for Side One of A Pauper in Paradise.

Side Two is another story.
Hiring a symphony orchestra was one of the fads in Pop music in the seventies. Gino Vannelli jumped on that wagon rather late. His concept was more closely related to film soundtrack than to Rock music.
The opener, Black And Blue, is a fine ballad. The title track is an instrumental suite in four movements and Claus Ogermann comes to mind. That's not really far fetched: both Claus Ogermann and Gino Vannelli love rich and sweeping harmonies, in the way of the French Impressionists and of Hollywood during the fifties.
As the suite carries on, there's a busy part that fuses Vannelli with Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman. Towards the end, the orchestra walks back in and Gino sings a few lines.


Side A
A1.  Mardi Gras - 3:26
A2.  Valleys of Valhalla - 4:23
A3.  The Surest Things Can Change - 4:35
A4.  One Night with You - 4:18
A5.  A Song and Dance - 3:37

Side B
B1.  Black and Blue - 4:21
B2.  A Pauper in Paradise (In Four Movements) - 15:14

Notes

Release:  1977
Format: LP

Genre:  Art rock, Progressive Rock
Label:  A&M Records
Catalog#  AMLH 64664

Vinyl:  VG
Cover:  VG

Prijs:  €10,00

Gino Vannelli - Brother To Brother (1978) - €4,99

Side A
A1. Appaloosa - 4:44 
A2. The River Must Flow - 3:48 
A3. I Just Wanna Stop - 3:37 
A4. Love & Emotion - 3:49 
A5. Feel Like Flying - 5:17 

Side B
B1. Brother To Brother - 7:16 
B2. Wheels Of Life - 4:14 
B3. The Evil Eye - 4:14 
B4. People I Belong To - 4:01

Release:  1978
Format:  LP
Genre:  Fusion, Synth-pop, Soft Rock
Label:  A&M Records ‎
Catalog#  AMLH 64722

Vinyl:  Goed
Cover:  Goed

Prijs: €4,99

Gino Vannelli - Nightwalker (1981)

Artist:   Gino Vannelli
Title:  Nightwalker
Release:  1981
Format:  LP
Label:  Arista Records
Catalog#  202849

“Nightwalker” is the seventh studio album by Canadian singer Gino Vannelli, released in 1981.
Gino Vannelli is one of the few artists to effortlessly navigate between pop and R&B. With the songs “Walking,” “The Surest Things Can Change,” and his 1978 classic “I Just Wanna Stop,” Vannelli’s work is always filled with both skill and passion. After six successful years at A&M he signed with Arista in 1981. “Nightwalker” is his label debut. During the three years between albums, not only did pop music come into vogue again, but he grew as a writer and singer. This album reflects the change. The dramatic title track has him singing overripe lyrics like “I can’t live in this world without love, without you.” The powerful “Put the Weight on My Shoulders” has him doing some good vocal riffs. Although most of his albums took a tumble when he decided to pick the pace, “Nightwalker” is actually better for its faster tracks. “Stay With Me” has him singing the horrible come on, “The only crime I see/is killing time with me.” The searing guitars and Vannelli’s sense of fun makes up for it. The album’s biggest hit, “Living Inside Myself,” with its haunting electric piano and Vannelli’s phrasing, is compelling drama yet not overdone. The last track is another expert ballad. “Sally (She Says the Sweetest Things)” has a strong chorus that he nailed every time out. Nightwalker, co-produced by Vannelli and his brothers Joe Vannelli and Ross Vannelli, is one of his best and most accessible efforts.


Side one
1.  Nightwalker  (5:06)
2.  Seek And You Will Find  (4:40)
3.  Put The Weight On My Shoulders  (4:45)
4.  I Believe  (4:09)

Side two
1.  Santa Rosa  (4:05)
2.  Living Inside Myself  (4:18)
3.  Stay With Me  (4:42)
4.  Sally (She Says The Sweetest Things)  (4:27)

available at: http://www.ad-vinylrecords.com