Author(s): John Makoni
Date of publication: ?
Iafrica.com
SHAKE
3.5 out of 5 stars
Some years back Zucchero sang "Senza Una Donna (Without a Woman)" and remarked that he would change the world. Whether he will actually do that we do not know but what is certain is that Zucchero is making yet another attempt at shifting the parameters of modern blues (although he also fits comfortably into the rock genre).
This attempt comes in the form of "Shake", a lively, hard-hitting album that's strong enough to awaken renewed interest in the Italian singer. Zucchero should thank his stars for placing him on the same path as a woman called Chance. Her crystal-clear vocal intonations are the balancing act to Zucchero's deep vocals. Chances are it's no coincidence that he sings: "It blows my mind now that I found you/Deep in the night of tequila boom boom".
Chance appears to take it upon herself to steer the Zucchero ship on course with her golden voice, which uncannily sounds like that of Aretha Franklin.
Zucchero and Chance sing in English and Italian, kicking off with "Baila Sexy Thing", which spells out clearly the duo's mission: to conquer the world's music establishments — the charts, stadia, music halls, theatres, you name it.
Zucchero himself plays Wurlitzer piano and as the song draws to its end, one woud like to believe that they were born to sing side by side. Sheer audacity.
The song is followed by the dance-along "Music In Me", where the powerful electric guitar of Corrado Rustici shines and again — Chance. There's even a rave segment to keep alive one's listening attention span!
Zucchero's powerful beat carries on with "Poca l' oca" where the slide guitar of Roy Rodgers plays the role of propeller, inflicting its full might on the senses.
"I Lay Down" is where Zucchero shows his true colours as a musician. He plays the melotron and sings soporifically. He is in the arms of an angel and his love is requited but still his voice has traces of sadness and his love appears helpless and dependent. Naturally, Zucchero is the kind of guy you cannot believe is alright and unharmed even when he reassures you. You still want to go and check him from beneath that stone where he will be hiding to personally verify that he's safe and sound and has not been stung by a scorpion. And that is to be expected of a blues musician.
The song is enriched by the voices of two legends — Zucchero himself and the late blues great John Lee Hooker, who sings background vocals. The presence of Hooker makes the song even more haunting. It's like a cry from the grave — Hooker died earlier this year — by one of the major contributors and shapers of the genre.
On "Sparkling Meadows", Rustici's guitar comes out on top again and for once, Zucchero's voice enthralls as he emotionally and optimistically croons: "I Believe In This Beautiful Love", ably propped up by a band of top-class musicians.
And like all good things, the album comes to an end when you're the least prepared. This is Zucchero in bloom. A worthy effort from a worthy artist.