Search - Paolo Conte :: Psiche

The Sentimental Moods Continue

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 11/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Nonesuch isssued a "Best of" collection of Paolo Conte some years ago, it was as if a soft cleansing breeze had swept away the stagnancy in my view of popular Western European music. Here was great art with a wink. His follow-up albums were not as enchanting, being too uniform and subdued in mood. Psiche, however, offers more variety in music. Although the jazzy fun is less abundant, there is much dramatic richness, poetry, inventive orchestra arrangements, and passion of remembrance. The absence of English translations of the included Italian lyrics initially reduced my enjoyment of Conte's impish compositions, but the music alone says much. [Translations can be found on the provided Decca records web site.] The album is exceedingly romantic yet melancholy, like a tango, and has that trademark Conte retro or nostalgic feeling. Very nice, and a must for a Paolo Conte fan."