"Powerful People" is the title of the second studio album of Italian-Canadian singer Gino Vannelli. The album was released in 1974, and was produced by Gino and his brother Joe Vannelli.
The album is characterized by Joe Vannelli's first experiments with synthesizers.
The music and singing are pleasant enough on this Montrealer's second outing. The funky "People Gotta Move" was Vannelli's first hit in the United States, when disco music was gaining popularity. And you just know from the lyrics that while you are having a good time grooving to the music that Gino also wants you to think a little bit too. The ballads "lady" and "jojo" are two favoirtes. They showcase Gino's honeyed, crystal clear, beautiful voice (the instrument that I think he plays the best). You feel as if the songs are really personal. I imangined he was singing "lady" just for me (as did, no doubt, a million other women), and I wondered who "jojo" was, if he was really the child of a family member or friend. The last track, "Poor Happy Jimmy", is a tribute to American singer Jim Croce, who died in an airplane accident a year earlier.
"Powerful People" gives listeners a hint that in addition to being a talented singer, musician, and lyricist, Gino is also a superb arranger and orchestrator. The songs on the album that most clearly demonstrate that are, "son of a new york gun", "jack miraculous", and "powerful people".
Tracklist
1. People Gotta Move (Gino Vannelli) - 3:21
2. Lady (Gino Vannelli) - 3:43
3. Son of a New York Gun (Gino Vannelli) - 3:23
4. Jack Miraculous (Gino Vannelli) - 2:42
5. Jo Jo (Gino Vannelli) - 3:40
6. Powerful People (Gino Vannelli) - 6:12
7. Felicia (Gino Vannelli) - 3:04
8. The Work Verse (Gino Vannelli) - 2:54
9. Poor Happy Jimmy (Gino Vannelli) - 3:49
Released: 1974
Label: A&M
Genre: Soft Rock, Jazz, Funk
Length: 32:48
Producer: Gino Vannelli, Joe Vannelli
Arrangements by: Joe Vannelli
Personnel:
Gino Vannelli - vocals
Joe Vannelli - electric piano, synthesizer
Richard Baker - organ, synthesizer
Graham Lear - drums
Tony Golia - bongos, congas
John Mandel - percussion
Lani Hall - background vocals
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