Raffaele Celeste "Nini" Rosso (19 September 1926 – 5 October 1994) was an Italian jazz trumpeter and composer.
Born in Turin, Rosso's parents had attempted to send him to university, but at 19 he chose the trumpet over academia, and left home. After his employment in a nightclub
was terminated by the police, he returned home, but soon after departed
again to relaunch his career. He soon became one of the best-known jazz
trumpeters in Italy, reaching the crest of his popularity in the 1960s.
He became known in the UK in 1962 when his recording of "Concerto Disperato" was covered by Ken Thorne and his Orchestra and became a hit under the title "The Theme from 'The Legion's Last Patrol'". Rosso's original was quickly released on the little-known Durium label and also made the charts, but was less successful than the cover. His 1965 worldwide hit "Il Silenzio" went to #1 in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and sold over five million copies by the end of 1967. It was awarded a gold disc. He also acted in the 1960s.
Rosso died of a tumor in 1994, at the age of 68.
This is his easy listening version of Russian folk songs ... enjoy the way he played the trumpet !
Personnel: Nini Rosso (trumpet) + a bunch of unknown studio musicians
Tracklist: 01. The Red Sarafan (Traditional) 3.01 02. Katyusha (Traditional) 3.20 03. Moscow Evening (Traditional) 2.37 04. Lullabye Of Cossack (Traditional) 2.52 05. Karpbschka (Traditional)2.45 06. Sulico (Traditional) 2.40 07. Polyushka-Polye (Traditional) 2.32 08. Aganyok (Traditional)3.00 09. Sunrise Of Siberia(Traditional) 2.35 10. Through Wild Transbaikal Steppes (Traditional) 2.44 11. A Dashing Troika (Traditional) 3.41 12. Black-Eyed Lady (Traditional) 3.20 ARMU 0024
This debut album of the third incarnation of Curved Air is one of the
most unusual approaches to music-making; it focuses its mood on
humbleness rather than blaring flashiness and on soft passion rather
than obvious passion. This is undoubtably Curved Air's best mood
album,and as far as essential creativity goes,this is tremendously
high-ranking in the hierarchy of the world's music. All this and more
from a group that was supposedly on the verge of total disintegration
and disillusionment. The group at this point consisted of Darryl
Way(Violin,piano),Stewart Copeland(Drums),Mick Jacques(Guitars),and
Sonja Kristina(Vocals). Sonja's vocals are so intense,passionate,and
full of emotion that many,I have observed,are overwhelmed and are
unable to appreciate their beauty. Darryl plays incredible violin,both
as lovely as harp and as upbeat as guitar; he is a true master of the
instrument. Jacques has a knack for playing a very grooving guitar,but
also
plays some very powerful stuff. Stewart's drums are varied-at
times jazzy,at others shocking,but always good. Curved Air is also
supported by excellent sessionists. Although both the keyboardist and
John Perry,the bassist,are noteworthy,it is lyricist Norma Tager who
earns the most attention. Norma Tager's lyrics are wonderful, epic
portrayals of what we think of as dull and typical lives. Darryl
dominates the group's songwriting in terms of both quality and quantity.
His
compositions include "Day Breaks My Heart", outwardly sad
and mourning,yet inwardly a testament to the fact that there is a reason
that a heart can be broken;"Orange Street Blues",an amazingly fun yet
phenomenally sophisticated rocker;and "Midnight Wire",a 7 minute epic
of intense emotion. Dark,powerful,tragic,intense, soft-a true
masterpiece. "The Fool",a co-write between Darryl and Mick,is a
crafty take into the world of folk music while remaining true to the
style of the group and album. "Dance of Love",by the same composers,is
a bit pop-ish but has incredible vocals by Sonja- terrifically
passionate and trembling-and a beautiful violin solo from Darryl.
Mick Jacques's own composition is a rather trippy and fascinating
instrumental called "Pipe of Dreams". Sonja also manages to get one of
her compositions on the album,an intensely passionate song called
"Woman on a One Night Stand". This song is not only one of Sonja's
most elaborate creations,but also one of her most breathtaking with its
unpredictable vocals,haunting guitar,and devil-may-care violin. This
album keeps Curved Air's usual genius-conceived mix of hard rock,soft
rock, progressive,and classical,yet also steps outside the boundaries
of anything that has ever been done before. Using a relatively small
and untried band,they nonetheless succeed in creating a masterful
album. An essential for Curved Air lovers,and an album which anyone
with taste should at least brifly consider. (by Robert)
Personnel: Stewart Copeland (drums) Mick Jacques (guitar) Sonja Kristina (vocals) Darryl Way (violin, keyboards,vocals) + Derek Damain (backing vocals) John Perry (bass) Norma Tager (lyrics) Peter Wood (keyboards)
Tracklist: 01. Woman On a One Night Stand (Kristina/Tager) 5.06 02. Day Breaks My Heart (Way/Tager) 4.38 03. The Fool (Way/Tager/Jacques) 4.27 04. Pipe Of Dreams (Jacques) 3.58 05. Orange Street Blues (Way/Tagger) 5.01 06. Dance Of Love (Jacques/Way) 4.36 07. Midnight Wire (Way/Tager) 7.32
