Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Eternamente Blu, Volare in the 20's

In the past 15 odd years Eurocovers has been writing a lot about coverversions of Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare), the 1958 Sanremo winner and Eurovision entry by Domenico Modugno. It's an obsession.
If you use this link you'll see most of the earlier posts.

Here's just a quick runthrough of new coverversions just released, showing that Mr. Volare is still alive and kicking. With listening links for your convenience.

In February Italian heartthrob and superstar Tiziano Ferro was a guest performer at the Sanremo Festival performing Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu.
Now he has released his quite wonderful new album Accetto Miracoli: L'Esperienza Degli Altri and in includes a similar version of the Domenico Modugno classic. (out on 2CD, LP and digital) 
Youtube Audio. Sanremo performance via RaiPlay
 
It took Brazil’s former Minister of Culture (and music legend) Gilberto Gil over 60 albums to give us a version of Volare, recorded with his granddaughter Flor. They first performed the song back in April as a message of support and strength to the Italian people hit by the pandemic. Now they recorded a studio version for a digital EP De Avô Pra Neta (digital EP) Youtube Audio, Original performance
 
Another familiar name, Jane McDonald, Queen of British Cruiseships,  also released a version of Volare (in English) on her new album Cruising with Jane McDonald, Vol. 2. (CD and digital) Youtube Audio
 
Russell Watson just scored a U.K. top 10 album with his album 20 (CD and digital). 
This includes a new recording of Volare. He previously recorded it with André Rieu (2003, CD Zauber des Musik 3) the Royal Philharmonic (2008, CD The Platinum Collection), and with Aled Jones (2018, CD In Harmony). Youtube Audio


Some other 2020 Volares are by:
Franco Corso (CD Vincerò, to be released Dec 1) Website listening
- Corso also recorded it in 2005 but this is a new recording
Imai Shunshuke (今井俊輔CD I Am I 2020 Volare) Youtube audio
Claudio Capeo (CD Penso A Te) (streaming/shopping link)

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