Passione, the easy listening Bocelli

Just had a big goosey moment. I was listening to Passione, the latest CD release by Andrea Bocelli, when there came this haunting, familiar voice in one of the songs. Is it? I thought. Can it be? I checked the credits and it is. The Italian tenor is singing a duet with the original version of La Vie en Rose by the French chanteuse Edith Piaf. Goose pimples material indeed.

And I thought, producer David Foster is up to his old tricks again. Creating surprises in his albums that are absolutely delightful. Remember, he also did that duet of Unforgettable by Natalie Cole and her late father Nat King Cole. It is obvious here that despite a lot of efforts to clean it up, the old recording has suffered some wear and tear and the quality is not at par with Bocelli’s. Still it is quite a moment. Too brief, I think. But thanks to the wonder of technology we now get to hear the legendary Piaf and Bocelli sing together.

There is so much to enjoy in Passione. The CD is a companion piece to Bocelli’s Amore. That one was made up of old well-loved songs and was a huge hit. Amapola, Le Feuilles Mortes, Can’t Help Fallin’ In Love, Jurame, Solamente Una Vez, Somos Novios, Besame Mucho and others. Passione sticks to the same formula, oldies in different languages. Bocelli sings in English, Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Now, I do not know if it is because of the Piaf duet or something else. But, I think this new album is so much more enjoyable. 

Passione is Bocelli in an easy listening mode. He is singing from a different vocal placement and it is all nice and easy and most accessible. Foster takes advantage of this by choosing songs in the same mood, soft and sweetly sexy. Then, he creates the most romantic, strings-loaded arrangements to match. Those who like the classical Bocelli will not like this CD but I am sure that a lot more music lovers will be surprised and delighted with his new sound.

Piaf is not the only guest in the album. Bocelli also sings with Jennifer Lopez in the Spanish standard Quizas, Quizas Quizas, with Nelly Furtado in the Brazilian samba Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) and with trumpet wiz Chris Botti in Il Nostro Incontro and When I Fall In Love. Again, the two pop divas are unlikely choices but Foster was not really looking for matching voices and the contrasting styles are really quite charming.

Bocelli’s soft tenor is magical in his solos. I am unable to pick out favorites. It is such a lovely smooth ride throughout from the quiet opener Perfidia to When I Fall In Love that closes the album. In between are Roma Nun Fa’ La Stupida Stasera, Champagne, Anema E Core, Era Gia’ Tutto Previsto, Tristeza, Sara Settembre, which is Neil Diamond’s September Morn, Love In Portofino, Garota De Ipanema, Malafemmena, Love Me Tender, Senza Fine and A Mano A Mano.

Speaking of Piaf, the troubled life of France’s beloved Little Sparrow is the subject of a play with music by Pam Gems and it will open the 2013 season of Atlantis Productions. Piaf is directed by Bobby Garcia and will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Building in Makati from March 8 to 23.

Talented but self-destructive, the diminutive Piaf was an alcoholic and junkie who rose from extreme poverty, she was born on a sidewalk in Paris, to become the toast of France and later proclaimed a legend all over the world. She was known for her expressive rendition of heartbreak songs that mostly reflected what was happening in her real life. She died of liver cancer in 1963. How propitious that we will have the chance to watch Piaf on the 50th anniversary of her death.   

Starring in the title role is Pinky Amador, the movie and TV actress and Miss Saigon veteran, had dreamed of doing Piaf ever since she saw the play in London. Theater lore says that actresses who play Piaf invariably win awards. Maybe this will also happen to Amador who is now celebrating her 30th year in show business. 

Piaf is as equally demanding of her other roles. So be sure to check out how Ima Castro, Giselle Tongi-Walters, Jamie Wilson and others will fare as Pinky’s co-stars.

For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or go to Ticketworld online.