Search - Rossana Casale :: Stranni Frutti

Brava Rossana!!!

alemartini | 03/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rossana Casale is a great Italian vocalist. "Strani Frutti" includes a nice selection of jazz standards reworked thru her big big talent. In this Cd Rossana sings in italian, english, franch and brasilian too. her voice and her quite unique style recall me a lot Blossom Dearie. So if you are a fan of Blossom you MUST buy this cd you won't be disappointed!!"

Her crystal clear voice resounds as one of the top ones !

alemartini | 05/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Casale's tribute to her biggest female influences,STRANI FRUTTI (Strange Fruits) is an impressive album that manages to capture both Rossana's passionate,delicate vocal power and the spirit of the women it is paying tribute to.
With an ace backing band and a firm understanding of how to achieve her tributes,Casale has provided a very engaging album.
Her sensual vamp through Cole Porter's 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' is an incredible tribute to Marilyn Monroe,capturing the spirit of the original while giving it the exotic twist that Rossana's unique voice and class can provide.
The "medley" that appears in the middle of the album serves as a tribute to both Judy Garland and Elis Regina,jumping back and forth between the two artists through the top notch string work from the "Solis String Quartet".
Occasionaly her ambitions do not live up to her performances,although this only happens a few times.Her take on 'Strange Fruit' is not as powerful as Billie Holiday's,but it remains a heartbreaking tale of racial prejudice in anyone's hands.
The same does not hold true for 'Summertime',a noble but inappropriate tribute to Janis Joplin that suffers from a heavy clash of styles when Rossana attempts the Joplin's method of singing.
Still,this is an excellent,compelling album that only takes a few questionable,provocative paths along the way.
Fans of vocal jazz may be intrigued,especially by the tracks performed in Casale's native Italian.And it cannot be said enough that her backing band is superb,giving this album the necessary push to bring it over the edge.
While Rossana's phrasing and singing often bring to mind jazz acts such as Jane Monheit, Silje Nergaard and Lisa Ekdahl,I have to say that "STRANI FRUTTI" is a wonderful,true discovery and a great success because it avoids being pretentious,and Casale's obvious passion for this material makes this a recommendation.
With a voice that reaches deep into the soul,encompassing the traditional sounds of some great music 'cult icons',Rossana Casale has carved a path for her talent among the globe's most stylish and classy modern vocalists.
You cannot be disappointed !"