Pauper in Paradise

Gino Vannelli | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000002GG8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,801 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: VANNELLI,GINO
Title: PAUPER IN PARADISE
Street Release Date: 11/15/1988
Domestic
Genre: ROCK/POP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Gino's Musical Paradise", May 4, 2005

By 

Joan B. Montney (Glendale Az USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pauper in Paradise (Audio CD)

" A Pauper In Paradise " is another one of Gino Vannelli's adventures in music. Gino is a vocal virtuoso !!!! A naturally gifted singer. He is everything you would expect from a vocalist. Powerful,smooth,distinctive,articulate with awesome range and clarity.

This Cd also gives us an opportunity to hear Gino perform with the World Famous "Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" on tracks 6 and 7. Recorded in the summer of 1977 and still as fresh sounding today as it was then. Excellent musicianship abounds !!!!
Three keyboard players are featured along with Drums, percussions, background vocals and saxophone to name a few.
The use of three keyboardist in the same group is extreme to say the least. But, this also accounts for why the music sounds so full and orchestrated. All the Bass guitar parts are done with keyboards. Except for tracks 6 and 7 even the horn and string parts are played with keyboards.
Very creative percussion and drums. Tastefully played and blended without being over bearing.

Tracks:
Mardi Gra---- a funky Rock feel with some bluesy rock vocals. Impressive keyboard solo and fine drumming.

Valleys Of Valhalla---- features a refreshing sax solo, dynamic percussion and some nice background vocals.

The Surest Things Can Change---- Gino's beautiful ballad vocals are the highlight of this piece. Clear and Bright !! Solid keyboard and percussion. Background vocals add even more depth.

One Night With You---- a spiritually mystifying melody can be heard along with some spectacular drum fills. This song is very heavily keyboard influenced.

A Song And Dance---- a jumpy "happy" feel to this one. A little Bossa Nova rythym sets the mood and you can really feel the Fun that Gino's having while he's singing.

Black And Blue and A Pauper In Paradise---- "WOW" !!!! Gino singing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. A real treat !!!!
Ease back in that recliner chair and be prepared to float in the cosmic void of Orchestrated bliss. Sensuous,vibrant,melodic and moving. " A Wonderful Piece Of Music "

This is a must have for all vocal enthusiast no matter what your age or gender. Enjoy !!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Gino Vannelli's Finest., July 19, 2003

By 

Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pauper in Paradise (Audio CD)

Gino Vannelli's musical creativity reached a high point in 1977 with the release of his fifth album "A Pauper In Paradise". Like his previous album, "Gist of The Gemini", "Pauper.." is high on dynamic musical arrangements and showcases Vannelli's vocals at their very best.
The opening track "Mardi Gras", is a jolly slow shuffle with some excellent jazzy arrangements. This is a fun piece which will have you smiling in no time.
Tracks such as "Valleys of Valhalla" and "A Song and Dance" are in the light-pop genre while the album's hit "One Night With You" has a faint touch of disco.
"The Surest Things Can Change" is a gentle ballad perfect for late-night slow dancing with that special someone.
The main highlights of this album are represented in its second half. Both "Black and Blue" and the four-movement title track were recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The end results are beyond belief. "Black and Blue" displays Vannelli's dynamic vocals in full range as the orchestra provides a beautiful lush backup behind him.
The album's epic title track is very much in the same vein as The Moody Blues' "Days of Future Passed" in that it features extended orchestral passages with embelishments from Gino's backup band (consisting of three keyboarists including brother Joe Vannelli plus a drummer and two percussionists). This piece is not rock nor is it commercial pop. The majority of this piece is definitely programmatic classical music (ie: classical music with an overall story and concept). It is only during the third movement that the orchestra is not center of attention. Here, Gino's band lets loose with a progressive rock/jazz fusion hybrid loaded with busy percussion patterns and skittering keyboard passages. This piece as whole demonstrates Gino Vannelli's great strength as a composer and not just a vocalist as the majority of it is instrumental with only a few vocal lines at the very end of the last movement.
"A Pauper In Paradise" is definitely one of Gino Vannelli's finest albums and makes for a perfect match alongside "The Gist Of The Gemini". Although I did not hear this album when it was first released in 1977, I must say that in 2003, "A Pauper In Paradise" sounds like a brand new album. It offers something fresh and exciting from this brilliant vocalist and composer.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best pop orchestration ever recorded, January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pauper in Paradise (Audio CD)

I was thrilled to find this on CD. I have worn out my vinyl LP. Quentessential Gino Vanelli. More mature than his earlier recordings. Not the wanna-be new wave pop of his later work. This album is solid on every track. Similarities exist to Brother To Brother and Nightwalker, but Pauper in Paradise is so complete and self-assured that I would I would recommend it as the single best Gino Vanelli album. Brother Joe Vanelli's string arrangements on Black and Blue and the title track(s) gave my rock-n-roll leanings a whole new appreciation for orchestration. The first time I heard this recording at a local studio, I ran out an upgraded my stereo system, just so I could listen this album in all it's intended glory. Many people dismiss Gino Vanelli as a lightweight crooner. This album clearly demonstrates that he (with the invaluable assistance of his brother Joe) is capable of much, much more.