Customer Reviews

Innamorata

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This CD is probably the finest work Pat and Neil have produced over their 20 year collaboration period. Mature and adult, these tunes still rock with the signature Benatar style. This time out, however, they have traded bombast for a more lyric and beautifully texturized instrument mix - violin and viola, cello, and Neil's 12 & 6 string, and acoustic guitar playing. Take a listen to Only You, Pergatory or At This Time, and you'll hear Pat's voice hasn't lost anything. Her voice is still clear, bright and strong like we all remember from her years in the spotlight in the 80's. You can also smile to yourself that you have the good taste enough to have chosen such a rare and unfortunately, underexposed CD.

Absolutely a beautiful sounding performance. "Down to the River" rocks as only Pat can. Lyrics though are depressing throughout...very well crafted but almost every song is angry, sad or bitter. Check out "Pappas Roses" another true tale of neglect from the author of "Hell is For Children." I loved it but might be to painfully introspective for some.

"Only You" is the great rocking tune on this cd. A blend of jazzy guitar and Pat's strong voice make this a kickin' tune. In contrast, "Papa's Roses" is a beautiful ballad sung to perfection. Pat and Neil are going on 20 years in 1999, and they show maturity and growth on this cd.

This last album by Neil and Pat prove that they still have what it takes to make a great album. It's a shame that Pat is not setting the world on fire like she did in the 80's-maybe its because her music has a more mature sound then back then. Some of the best songs on this album are "Only Love" and "River of Love" "Papa's Roses" prove that they can still write good songs. And the voice....better then ever.

I'll start off by saying that if you are a fan of the eclectic Pat, Pat who did albums such as "Tropico", "Seven the Hard Way", & even "True Love", this record is for you.

Neil Giraldo (guitarist/husband/producer) & Pat both manage to draw together a focused record based in folk, latin, rock, & soul textures. "Innamorata" is a winner & finds Pat secure in her lyrics & voice.

Thematically, this is probably the most unified album Pat has done in quite sometime. Many of the songs deal with relationships, going through the phases of intense affection & then dissatisfaction. But, unlike the meandeing anger of "Innamorata's" follow-up 2003's "Go!", there is an world weary experience to the songs here. As if Pat put her own relationship struggles into these songs, which brings them across as genuine & passionate, rather than tired & done.

Soundwise, many of the songs are based within mid-tempo or ballad settings ("Papa's Roses"), or can pick up the pace & surprise a listener by rocking out ("Strawberry Wine", "River of Love"). Many of these mix in the folk & latin textures I spoke of very well, keeping them subtle, but close enough to the surface of the song to add flavor.

Vocally, Pat proves again why her monicker as just a "rock singer" pigeonholes her talent. This woman's voice is full of passion & conviction, sporting a control (over pitch) rarely seen.

Overall, a much more solid effort than 1993's "Gravity's Rainbow" & (as stated) 2003's misfire "Go!". Neil & Pat sound fresh here & manage to maintain why they have crafted such timeless music since 1979.

Highly recommended!

Pat Benatar's 'Innamorata' was released about 12 years ago and is one of the better disks I have in my collection. Honest.

The title is Italian and translates into 'sweetheart' or 'soulmate', but I can't say that all of these songs would fit into that category. Pat can still sing angry when she has to.

I will say that it is some of Benatar's strongest work. Yeah, I like(d) the '80s stuff and it was fun and seemingly it helped define the decade for female artists, but it had a certain shelf-life - not that there aren't songs I still listen to.

But 'Innamorata' was her first disk not on a major label and she and husband/producer Neil Giraldo had more freedom to write and record what they wanted - and it works. The songs are strong, the production is too and Benatar's voice has never been stronger. I think independence agreed with them.

I'm a huge fan of the songs here, especially "In These Times", "Only You", "Strawberry Wine", "I Don't Want to be Your Friend" and "At this Time". Don't get me wrong, the rest of the stuff is fine too, but these listed are the ones that got space on the iPod. Since that device holds a finite number of songs, I had to pick and choose carefully.

Like many of my reviews, the album underperformed at radio and sales levels. I always seem to pick and root for the underdog, but I've never really been a fan of stuff that is too mainstream. One issue with being a known name on an independent label is that most people assume it is a last grasp effort and if the product were any good, a major would still have you signed. Phooey.

I would suggest you at least sample some of her 'Innamorata' work on iTunes, amazon or the like. You might be surprised.

I'm kicking myself I hadn't bought this album sooner. As many singers get older their voice deteriorates. Not Pat Benatar, if anything she's gained more control and the song Papa's roses demonstrates what a superb voice she has. Songs like Angry are on par with big hits like Invincible. Definitly a better album than Gravity's Rainbow and the more recent Go.

some good stuff from a rock legend. Pat's still got the most beautiful voice in Rock, and her husband's guitar playing enhances it perfectly. Some of the songs are a bit drippy, but for Benatar fans, there are some that will not fail to please. (Such as the opening track, Only You, and the fine Strawberry Wine)

I'm just putting in a review to add a 5 star rating. This album is fantastic.

Pat is and always will be the greastest rock vixen ever, IMHO. Innamorata (beloved/loved one to you & I) marks a welcome return for Pat after 1993's amazing Gravity's Rainbow. This current album reveals how mature Pat's voice has become with 20 years in music & the wealth of musical knowledge and personal experince Pat & Neil have acquired. The album's top trax include the stonkingly catchy River of Love, wiith sensational backing harmonies all by Pat, demonstrating her opera trained background. At This Time strums along with confidence and the army drums of In These Times is a striking socially conscious piece of music. The top trak, the angst ridden Angry where Pat releives herself of a victimising lover aches with emotion and contains the most wonderfully tough yet sensual vocals, for which this multiple grammy winning legend is renowned. It may not be Pat's most commercially successful opus, but Innamorata reveal just how vintage artists like wine, maintain their consistency with the years. A true talent in a world of artifice, and forever in my Top 5 artists after all this time.