Françoise Hardy – Canta Per Voi In Italiano
This remastered Italian-language 1963 LP, produced by Jacques Wolfshon, features 22 reissued tracks & may appeal more to Italians. Italy definitely has a folk music culture & the songs interpreted here possess a Euro-MOR pop elaboration with a few ounces of rootsy flavors. Is this showcase considered Americana? Canta Per Voi In Italiano (Drops Dec 12/Omnivore Recordings/Disques Vogue/Sony Music/56:26) probably not in the tradition Americans are accustomed to. But…
Francoise Hardy’s voice is silky smooth on these great pieces. Not as distinctive as the legendary Milva (“La Luna”) or as dark & mysterious as Francesca Chiara (“Te Amo Che Strano”, “Edera”). But Francoise has a command of the language. Elvis sang “It’s Now Or Never,” (an Italian folk operatic pop song “O Solo Mio”) & recorded “Surrender” (“Come Back To Sorrento”). Foreign singers adapt their style & Americans knowingly & unknowingly to European folk songs.
The late French alto Françoise Hardy (1944-2024) was a genre-hopper. She was effective & her work stretched brightly through a 50-year career. Bob Dylan admired her. The songs, like the German showcase, continue to be originally melancholic, romantic & in a sentimental way. Hardy’s music is influenced by American & British artists like Brenda Lee, Connie Francis, the Everly Brothers, Nick Drake, & Elvis.
“E All’ Amore Che Penso,” (And It’s About Love That I’m Thinking) is wondrous. Italians have great melody & words. Listen to the vowels she cleanly sings on “Quella Della Mia Eta,” (That of My Age) in perfect Italian. The strings are powerful & distinct. Her voice spread across the arrangement like a layer of smooth chocolate frosting. Some tunes are drenched in typical Italian overproduction, but that was in favor at that time. Melodies like “Ci Sto” (I’m In) with its hot sax solo may even shake American ears with familiarity.
Each song is impeccably arranged & performed. Françoise takes a page from Caterina Caselli’s formula with her “Oh Oh Cheri,” upbeat & humorful as Caterina’s hit (“L’Orologio” – The Clock 1968). Concluding songs are closer to Americana. “Il Ragazzo Della Via Gluck,” (The Boy From Gluck Street), & with “I Sentimenti,” (The Feelings), a nice upright piano drive. Ms. Hardy’s album sparkles.
If the lyrics don’t get you, the melodies will.
Highlights – “L’Eta Dell’Amore,” (The Age of Love), “Il Tuo Migliore Amico,” (Your Best Friend), “E All’Amore Che Penso,” “Quella Della Mia Eta,” “La Amore Va,” (“Love Goes On”), Ci Sto,” “Vorrei Capirti,” (Want To Understand You), “Il Saluto Del Mattino,” Morning Greeting), “Vorrei Essere Lei,” (I Wish I Were Her), “Devi Ritornare,” (You Must Return), “Non Svegliarmi Mai,” (Never Wake Me Up), “Il Ragazzo Della Via Gluck” & “I Sentimenti.”
Orchestrations – Ezio Leoni, Marcel Hendrix, Charles Blackwell & Jacques Denjean.
A folded poster is included. CD @ Amazon & Apple + https://www.facebook.com/francoisehardyofficiel/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Françoise Hardy “In Deutschland”
