(BMG)
RECOMMENDED
The balance this incredibly fun disc strikes between Eurocentric hypercool and red wine romance is the result of a pop malleability nearly worthy of Leonard Cohen. Adriano Celentano, one of Italy's premier singers and actors, charms and sneers his way skillfully through a selection of exotic originals and nicely presented covers, including of some English language classics: "Stand by Me," "Michelle," "16 Tons." The '60s and '70s cuts are where it's at though, as Celentano can wring an emotional rush out of dinner music or inspire great populist frenzy with his delirious choruses. Once in a while the disc resembles a drunken singalong at a pub; the rest of the time, it's more like the jukebox that might accompany the gradual emptying out of the same pub.
The Cohen reference point comes from the in-the-moment attentiveness, as irrespective of any chronological sequence the compilation flies through passing dance music trends and the dated but classic sound of Italian chamber pop. Whatever audience he's courting, Celentano remains a constant pleasure -- just don't expect pure schmaltzy romance through and through. It's all more sophisticated than that. But not too sophisticated.
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