It is not too often that I get into an instrumental CD like I did with Cinema Iatliano. And the reason I enjoyed the CD so much was thanks to the talented performers like Sting, Deborah Harry, and Pavarotti. Cinema Iatliano is a delightful CD that takes a new look at music inspired by Italian films like Romeo and Juliet, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and of course, The Godfather.
     Andrea Griminelli seduces the listener with some of the best flute work I have ever heard. I immediately remember how much I enjoyed the rendition of title theme to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. It was awesome, as was the theme to The Godfather. How could you not include that into a CD like this and Griminelli does not disappoint. However, the most enjoyable tracks come from such legends as Luciano Pavarotti, Deborah Harry and Sting. The former lead singer for Police sang his heart out in My Heart and I from La Pioura. Pavarotti was perfect for the opera piece from Romeo and Juliet, but the performer who seemed so out of place for this CD, Deborah Harry, blew me away with two great performances. The Blondie star nailed her renditions of You'll Come to Me from Amacord and When Love Comes By from Il Postina. Harry has such range as a singer and performer, which made her a fine choice to be included on this CD.
     Cinema Iatliano is an Italian music lover's dream come true- beautiful and cool. Capice?
     Someone decided to take a wonderful singer with a history of classical work and have her sing equally wonderful Broadway tunes. Conveniently titled Encore, Sarah Brightman, an awesome Soprano singer, delivers a CD as beautiful as her voice. Songs from Crooked Mile, Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats are all included in this compilation of Broadway hits from a Brightman perspective so to speak.
     Anything song from Andrew Lloyd Webber os great in its own right, but Brightman gives them her signature touch, raising most tracks on this CD to another level. Brightman can sing every genre from pop to classical. Together, with a wonderful arrangement of music, the listener becomes mesmerized. I especially enjoyed her renditions of If I Ever Fall in Love Again from Crooked Mile; Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera, Piano from Cats and Surrender from Sunset Boulevard.
     My only complaint is that some of the songs sounded the same. Brightman doesn't change her pitch, from song to song, so several songs seemed to blend into the next. If I was not really paying close attention I would have sworn it was all one long song.
     All that said and done, Encore is a great CD for someone truly into Broadway tunes. She is a tremendous talent. I just wish I could hear some original material from her.
     Laugh all you want, but the Badseed, Jon Minners thinks that David Cassidy's music kicks ass. If Star from New York's Hot 97's morning show could love his music, then so can I. He is the original boy band. Cassidy is a legend. Less than a year after the Partridge Family premiered, Cassidy had a lock on the industry with a #1 single and multiple Grammy nominations. Fans fell in love with the guy, who has sold 25 million copies of his records worldwide.
     A new generation of fans now has the opportunity to enjoy David Cassidy's chart topping singles, like I Think I Love You and Cherish. This album even features new interpretations of such popular songs. You will also get to hear songs like Do You Believe in Magic, Ain't No Sunshine (DMX covered this song) and C'mon Get Happy and my favorite, I Woke Up In Love This Morning.
     David Cassidy fans should have this CD. Those who don't know him should check out his music and enjoy the one who paved the way for today's so called greats. Cassidy still tops them all.
     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.