A Pauper In Paradise

 

 

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Being a huge lover of Gino's music since Crazy Life, I bought this album the day it was released.

I remember stopping by a lounge for a little refreshment before going home and ran into a couple of friends. We ended up heading over to their place and we played the album. It was our first listen. All three of us were stunned. I think that I had a better idea of what to expect. Neither of my friends had ever heard of Gino.

I remember the total silence, except of course, coming from the stereo. After side two played, we all said WOW! That was all we could say. We played it again all the way through.

"Oh lady black, please don't be blueeeeeeeee...." that song...and A Pauper in Paradise are two of the most meaningful songs in my whole life...and I have been a lover of music for 53 years now! Until Canto, this was for me, the essence of Gino's finest work. It still is but I love Canto as well. Gino obviously loved this piece more than any other. His composing talent is superb and I have always been stunned by that...each time that I listen to it.

If you have never heard this piece, you should. Even if you don't think that you care for Gino. You will like this. There's no denying the sheer talent, grace, beauty that comes from every note. What a gift! Thank you Gino!

This is the album that led me to interview Gino Vannelli in Pittsburgh, PA in 1977.
I interviewed Mr. Vannelli after a concert for West Virginia Public Radio. I still have the (3) reel to reel tapes--an awe-inspiring 4-hour event. The out takes are priceless.
The music that evening, from Pauper in Paradise, was electrifying and the experience was unforgettable.
Little did I know then that I was in the presence of a "master" of sound and experience. This album is the"essence" of Gino Vannelli.

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.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Fine wine
A long time ago when I was about eleven and crazy about Deep Purple-I still am-somebody in my family(sorry can't remember who)thought it was a good idea to get me a partner to my... Read more

Published on Jan 15 2003 by Nicole Emery

5.0 out of 5 stars Its all about the voice
Despite his pop-status, Gino made a daring departure from the top 20 with this mixture of smooth ballads, up-beat rythmns and down-right gorgeous, classical-influenced sounds... Read more

Published on Jan 10 2003 by linda bishop

5.0 out of 5 stars Gino was PROUD of this one -- you will be too !
Gino attained new heights with this FANTASTIC 1977 album. Both this & the prior year's "Gist of the Gemini", allowed Gino to express himself in a totally new way... Read more

Published on May 24 2002 by Chris_Carlisle

5.0 out of 5 stars Pauper In Paradise
Pauper In Paradise came out in 1978. It was one of Gino's Greatest Albums to date especially with the London Symphony. Read more

Published on May 30 2000 by cookiecruncher

5.0 out of 5 stars Pauper In Paradise
Pauper In Paradise came out in 1978. It was one of Gino's Greatest Albums to date especially with the London Symphony. He is like a late - Moody Blues. Read more

Published on May 30 2000 by cookiecruncher

5.0 out of 5 stars If you will ever buy a Gino cd, buy this one !
I've heard them all, from "Crazy Life" to "Yonder Tree". And I must admit "Pauper" is by far the best of the Gino collection. Read more

Published on Nov 9 1999 by Randy Paschal

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely the best of the best.
Great strings with the London Symphony. Great pop side too. Way ahead of his time.

Published on July 13 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best pop orchestration ever recorded
I was thrilled to find this on CD. I have worn out my vinyl LP. Quentessential Gino Vanelli. More mature than his earlier recordings. Read more

Published on Jan 5 1999

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