PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
LOVANO JOE

AMAZON
The ebullient Italian-American jazz tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano pays tribute to the legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, on Viva Caruso in small combos and a 12-piece chamber ensemble primarily comprising woodwinds, arranged and conducted by Byron Olsen.

Lovano covers some of Carusos opera "hits", obscure songs and traditional Neapolitan ditties. Lovanos deep tones and passion parallel Carusos vocal gifts. The saxophonist adds a Coltrane-tinged, sax, bass and drum configuration to "Vesta La Giubba" from Pagliacci, and "O Sol Mio." On the slower rendition of "Tarantella Sincere"; and the waltzy "Soltano A Te (Only For You)", Lovano and the woodwinds echo Gil Evanss sonorities.

Judy Silvanos silky wordless vocals grace the bossa-nova-spiced "Compane A Sera (Evening Bells)", while Gil Goldsteins accordion laces Lovanos "The Streets of Naples" with a tinge of the tango. Lovanos tour-de-force is the four-part suite, "Il Carnivale Di Pulcinella"; it pays tribute to the Commedia dell Arte and to the Italian tarantella dance form. We can practically hear maestro Caruso shout from the heavens, "Viva Lovano!" --Eugene Holley, Jr.