The album opens with “Betcha I Getcha,” a song written by Giuseppe Venuti and Bix Beiderbecke. Vanessa Racci’s rendition is so damn cool from the start, with that groovy bass line and that bit of scat before she begins delivering the lyrics. This is a song in which she exudes a sexy confidence. There is a bit more scat in the second half after that good instrumental section led by the horns. That’s followed by “Volare,” which Vanessa Racci sings in both Italian and English. It was written by Domenico Modugno and Francesco Migliacci, with, as I understand it, later additions by Dean Martin, and originally recorded by Domenico Modugno. That opening section is gorgeous. And then after forty-five seconds or so, it kicks in to become a dance number, with delicious, bright bursts from the horns. There is a joyful excitement to this track.
“At The Jazz Band Ball” is another cool track, written by Nick LaRocca and Larry Shields, with lyrics later added by Johnny Mercer. I love that instrumental opening to Vanessa Racci’s version, setting a good groove. And then her vocal performance is a delight, one of the best of the album (and that’s saying something). Plus, the brass section seriously delivers here. This is one of those tracks that create an irresistible atmosphere, a place where you just want to spend your days. Ah, why can’t the energy and vibe of this song extend to the rest of the world? Imagine the effect that would have. Vanessa Racci then slows things down for a rendition of “Moon River” that has a somewhat magical sense about it, featuring some good work on flute.
Then “Coquette” bursts in, immediately owning the joint. Absolutely fantastic. Vanessa Racci includes a delicious spoken word section at the beginning: “Who does she think she is, walking around here, flirting with every guy in this place?” Here she delivers another seriously strong vocal performance. This track also features some nice work on piano. Truly, it is a joy to listen to this music. That’s followed by “Make Love To Me,” which at first will get you moving about the dance floor. Vanessa Racci is incredibly seductive in that section in the middle when she momentarily slows things down and sings, “When you’re near/So help me dear/Chills run up my spine/Don’t you know/I love you so/I won’t be happy until you’re mine.” Does she know that in that moment everyone is hers? Then on “I’m A Fool To Want You,” she again gives us a bit of spoken word at the beginning, creating an intimate feel. Then the first time she sings the title line, it is delivered a cappella, and we are pulled in even closer. What a captivating vocal performance. This is yet another of the disc’s highlights.
She also has a great time with “A Lifetime Or Two,” a more recent song written by Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli. These lines are so appealing: “I’ve got a great place to hide/Where we can go it alone/Shut off our phones.” It can be difficult to get that special someone to shut off her phone, but just imagine it. Imagine people not being able to reach you, imagine not feeling a need to respond to some text message right away. Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it? How did we become such slaves to these stupid little devices, and in so little time? Anyway, it is not just those lines that hold appeal in this song. This song creates a perfect scenario, tapping into that romantic part of all of us. And speaking of appeal, Vanessa Racci follows that with “A Sunday Kind Of Love,” in which she describes another desirable scene. The kind of love she wants is of course the kind of love most folks want. “I want a lonely road that leads me nowhere/I need that Sunday kind of love.” And her delivery has a relaxed, dreamy quality as she draws out some of those words. “My arms need someone to enfold/To keep me warm when Mondays are cold/A love for all my life to have and to hold/I need that Sunday kind of love.”
“Come Back Home With Me” is an original track written by Vanessa Racci, though it fits in perfectly with all these other compositions by celebrated songwriters. In fact, this for me is another of the disc’s highlights. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “How could you just walk away/After the many memories we’ve made/How can you be so sure/How do you know/You’ve never done this before/It hurts me to see you go/Leaving me here with what, I don’t know.” In this one, she gets playful when she explains how she is determined to get him back. “I’m going to talk until I change your mind/And you come back home with me.” That might work, as she wears him down. And I love when she begins to belt out certain lines toward the end. This track also features some nice work on piano. Plus, I dig that bass line. Then “September In The Rain” contains some wonderful stuff on piano. That’s followed by an interesting rendition of Chick Corea’s “You’re Everything” that begins with Vanessa Racci’s voice supported just by percussion. It then kicks in, and begins to move. The album wraps up with “At Last,” this version including the “I was never spellbound by a starry sky” introduction. As with “You’re Everything,” Vanessa Ricci puts her own spin on this song, particularly in the rhythm. This track features a powerful vocal performance, and some beautiful work on piano.
CD Track List
- Betcha I Getcha
- Volare
- At The Jazz Band Ball
- Moon River
- Coquette
- Make Love To Me
- I’m A Fool To Want You
- A Lifetime Or Two
- A Sunday Kind Of Love
- Come Back Home With Me
- September In The Rain
- You’re Everything
- At Last
Jazzy Italian was released on October 21, 2022 through Zoho Music.
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