Customer Reviews

Belle Speranze

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this album in the local import bin and fell absolutely in love with it. Although I don't understand a word of the Italian lyrics, Fiorella's voice keeps me entranced. The musicians on the album are also exceptional. The guitar work is especially terrific.

Fiorella is one of my new FAVORITE Italian singers, ironic that I just found out about her this year, since she's been a singing star about as long as I've been alive! This is a beautiful CD: the first time I heard the title song was on Radio Italia TV and I literally stopped what I was doing and waited until the end to see the name of the person with this astonishing contralto voice, the auditory equivalent of a really good espresso in my opinion! Her diction is also extremely clear, like that of a good actress (nice for foreign language learners of Italian). She does not write her own songs but has said that they express her state of heart and mind, and they are eloquent and poetic, some political, others more emotional. There is not one bad song on the CD; however, my favorites are Belle Speranze, Non Sono un Cantautore, and Un Aeroplano a Vela.
BTW She has a great website (in Italian), www.fiorellamannoia.it.

In "Belle Speranze" Fiorella Mannoia has graced us with songs that are intelligently written, skillfully arranged, and artfully sung. Mannoia's voice is arguably the most powerful alto in contemporary Italian popular music, and she uses it confidently, often declaiming much of the poetry she sings. Yet she can be effective in a softer song, such as 'E Comunque Natale'. For those studying the Italian language, Mannoia's diction is exceptionally clear.

I also want to recognize the arrangers and musicians, who have achieved originality that is a pleasant surprise. Too often I have been disappointed in Italian (and other European) music that differs from American music only in the language being sung. I am happy to say with confidence that Belle Speranze will not be mistaken for an American record translated to Italian!

I just found this CD by chance and love it! She has a deep and soulful voice which entrances me. Her interpretations are not sickly sweet, and she doesn't overdo it to show off her vocal ability, as so many American female singers do. (Her voice reminds me a little of Tracy Chapman) The musicians are great too, and there are some hauntingly beautiful melodies. (My canary loves it too and he's quite selective.) I have listened to it over and over (which I don't usually do). You don't have to understand Italian to appreciate the music, but the CD came with the Italian lyrics enclosed, so if you're learning Italian, or even if you understand some Spanish or Portuguese, you can follow them and they're quite good. Other Italian singers I like are Eros and Zucchero. Her style is original but in their league.

I read the first customer review of this album, and have to add my review. I first heard Fiorella Mannoia's "Certe piccole voci" in a village in northern Italy as I was grocery shopping in a little store. The owner's teenage daughter was blasting the album (her mother was really mad), but I also stopped in my tracks and listened to that amazing voice. I bought the album the next chance I got. I had the great experience of seeing Fiorella live at the Arena in Verona. She appeared with other greats--Pino Daniele (whom I adore) and Francesco de Gregori (whom I can take or leave), as well as Ron--and she was the brightest liight. Her collaborators are all great musicians and songwriters, especially her ex, P. Fabrizi, who has written some amazing songs, like the one about witnessing American parachutists falling like white lilies out of the sky in Normandy, called "Normandia." I digress; this is an excellent album.

Personally I think "Le Canzoni" is the best album. Belle Speranze is my second favorite, but this one comes so close that I can't decide.