Customer Reviews

These Are the Days

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Greetings and congratulations to all the (good) music lovers and the Vannelli fans ! here is the new harvest from his majesty Gino ! Having all he has released and many of the things he has collaborated on, you could call me one of Gino Vannelli's fans. So when this cd came out, I did not have to hesitate too long.

As I am writing, I am asking myself what Gino and the record company were trying to do. If you read the inside of the booklet, you will see that, initially, this was supposed to be a greatest hits (yet another?) compilation made by Gino himself. He goes on saying that he got an old guitar out of the closet and started composing a bunch of songs. The result was a "balanced" album with 7 new songs, and 7 old ones.

So where's the problem, why 3 stars ? Well, as I said, this is sort of an inconsistent project. Either you give us a new album, either it's a best of. But here we're sort of halfway, so none of the two. And as for me, the seven remastered songs don't add anything to my collection since I have the 3 cd collection (that is a true gem) where all those songs are already featured. I personally would have liked a (daring and innovative) different version for songs 8 to 14. Gino does that so well (been to 3 concerts, each time saw different interpretation of his songs) that this was a disappointment. Besides, haven't we already heard "I just wanna stop" over and over and over on local FMs ?

Having said that, out of the seven new songs on part one of THIS cd, 5 are fabulous. As said by other reviewers, they are in the line of Slow Love, but when you listen several times and look for details (Gino's music has always been detail and quality oriented), you will find it is a nice blend of his earlier style (his first four albums), his mid career (Nightwalker, Black Cars, Big Dreamers and Unconsolable man), and his jazzier side (Slow love, Yonder Tree). My two favourites are Venus Envy and Eastwest world, two very powerful tacks.

In short, excellent purchase if you don't have the ultimate collection 3 cd set or if you want to start listening to this unique voice and talent. Otherwise, it falls a bit short with just 7 songs...

Yes, I can hear the complaints now. Why include seven old Gino classics and not make room for seven other new tracks? I agree. Like most of you I have every one of Gino's CDs, and to add ANOTHER semi greatest hits package to the collection is tedius.

However, I gave this CD five stars because of the seven new tracks that are included here. I fell in love with the Gino sound back in the late seventies, and this CD is the truest to that form that I have heard from Gino in years. I loved 'Slow Love' and even 'Yonder Tree', but found that Gino was taking me on a new path of his which was a bit more jazzy than I was looking for. I can't say that I'm a fan of 'Canto', but at the same time, appreciate his need and desire to stretch. I give him that. I'm a true fan.

But these seven new tracks are his very best I have heard from him in years. It's the 'pop' Gino that I love. 'Venus Envy' is probably my favorite up tempo track on the CD, but he decided to give us possibly the greatest ballad he has ever written in 'Great Divide.'

Yes you have to fork over the money for seven old Gino favorites to get to some of the best NEW Gino he has blessed us with in maybe two decades.

Finally something new from one of my favorite artists. The new stuff is quite good, kind of jazzy and fun, but still not as great as some of my earlier favorites. Generallly upbeat, great vocals. Should be liked by most Gino fans.

I highly recommend that anyone, who is a fan of Gino Vannelli, take a listen to his newest CD, Those Were The Days, as his writing and singing is excellent. I have found myself listening to this CD, many times. As a musician myself, I'm very impressed with the first 7 new songs, which are more acoustic backed than his 80's synth sound.
I can't wait until his next CD comes out.
Give a listen, this CD will grow on you.

This album was released in fall of 2006 and for me I have been playing it every day. The first half of the CD - 7 tracks - is new material and show Gino's range of writing skills, just like his last album Canto from 2003. The reason that I gave it 4 stars out of 5 is I was disapointed in the second half of the album. They are older songs from past albums which would have been OK had he put a new spin too them. I know from watching a DVD about the last album Canto and his mind set about what all the album was too be about, that he had a slower version of "I Just Wanna Stop". It was live on stage with the full orchastria and showed his openness to rethink a song in his past and make it sound new. So I was hoping this would be on the CD but sadly it was not to be, but still a good listen of your time. I have been a dedicated fan of his work since 1976 when I saw him live and I have every album and half of his concert tour DVD's, so I know a little about his unique sound.

Yes, we all know half the CD is "old stuff." Whatever- I'm paying for the new stuff. "It's Only Love" is probably the hippest thing he's ever done. A guy trying to be cool about getting dumped, "excuse me while I go off and die." You have to listen to it over and over to catch everything. "Venus Envy" would be my second favorite. Its message is great- why do women feel they need all that plastic surgery?

"Great Divide" is so sad, so full of that realization that, "Oh, boy, I have really screwed up my life."

It's also great to hear his voice sounding as good as twenty years ago. So many singers really lose range and force as they age. No, he's not going to hit those "Fly into this Night" high notes. He's 54, okay? But, with this release, I think Gino can really get the spotlight back on himself, gain better backing, and really come out with some terrific stuff in the future.

Powerful voice, musical genius, this would definitely be the CD to begin to fall in love with if you are not familiar with the music of Gino Vanelli. It's a nice compilation of some of his hits you are sure to enjoy.

This CD is simply terrific in which Gino Vannelli, gifted vocalist, poetic lyricist, composer and musician (who plays drums, keyboards, guitar and probably other instruments) - delivers a excellent blend of blues, jazz, and rock with melodic and romantic ballads. There are some fine new compositions along with some of his hits of the 70s and 80s. This combination only serves to show that his music stands the test of time - these older rock standards show nicely beside his newer compositions. Their richly layered orchestrations along with the thoughtful texturing and soaring emotion of Vannelli's vocals (unequalled by any of his contemporaries in the field of rock music) sound fresh and never dated. Excellent musicianship, attention to detail, insistence on high standards, and creative artistry have always been hallmarks of Gino Vannelli and his brothers Joe and Ross. This is an artist who is constantly maturing and only getting better. He deserves to be at the top of the charts with this one. Grows on you with each listening... very worthwhile and Vannelli demonstrates once again why he is one of the most gifted musicians of his generation.

One day, I decided to buy all of Gino Vanelli's albums. This is just another addition to my collection. I have followed Gino's career for about 25 years now and I never get tired of listening to his great music....

I have been a Gino fan for 30 years. His music is wonderful. Canto is a combination of Italian, French and English lyrics with music that is more classical then jazz or rock. Canto is incredible and to sum it up...takes you to another place. My husband and I listen to it often and each time we are inspired.