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The Gist of the Gemini

Gino Vannelli

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Album Review

Romantic progressive pop with layered piano and synthesizer atop outrageously pretentious lyrics about love and war. Those who can get past lines like "A post-war eunuch/A lover that is lame" will find some relaxed, smoky melodies here, especially the closer "Summers of My Life." "Fly into This Night" was a minor FM hit that lands a hefty keyboard punch courtesy of his brother, Joe Vannelli. Instrumentally, this is perhaps Vannelli's best effort. The lyrics are quite amusing, though that might not have been his intention.

Customer Reviews

This LP is "The Love of My Life"

When I first heard "Love of My Life" on the radio back in 1977, I remember running to the record store (remember those?) and with my handwritten scribble, asking the clerk for this LP with that song. He looked at me very odd and gave me the only copy they had in their bin. I was 18 then. I snagged it not knowing that this LP would be my "Mantra" and "Desert Island" LP if I had to choose only one. Energetic, Moody, sexy, sad and exotic ..after the first listen you just want more!! I miss you Gino! You are still to this day my favorite songwriter and vocalist. I Thank you for the gift with "The Gist" and all that you have done musically! Thinking about it..Just Get it, trust me!

The War Suite

We see Gino again experiment with longer compositions en route to the later Pauper In Paradise record where he really sinks his teeth into a full orchestral arrangement. The keyboard orchestrations on this record give it rich textures and infectious grooves. The keyboard bass playing is inspiring, even to an electric bass player. My personal favorite is "New Fixx for 76"-a short shuffle that weaves in and out of different tonalities. As usual with Vannelli, the lyrics are sometimes overdramatic, but with such a rich musical backdrop you may find yourself not even caring about the lyrics.

Two Words: Buy It

If one can say anything about Gino Vannelli's early works, it's that his music always trancesnded the era and simply never let itself sound like anything else. This album, his fourth, is a musical masterpiece. Strong if unusual lyrics, soaring emotions, and a great blend of pop, jazz with an African touch are all present here.

And let not one forget the War Suite. This album came oput not long after the end of Vietnam, and Gino is unafraid to boldly explore the atrocities yet necessities of war; its aftermath, pain, death, the resilience of victory. It's all here, scored and performed excellently. I never cease to be moved when I listen to it, sing along wiht it, and listen to it many a time I have. From its symphonic beginnings, to the march of war, to jazzy interludes, to triumphant return... it rings true to the soul. The closer to the Suite, "Summers of My Life", starts with the sound of the Ocean and it's deep tune, smooth and feeling, a real gem.

Side one is also very strong, a blend of jazzy pop and moving, slow ballads. It's all great, but my favorites on this side of it are "Love of My Life" and "Fly Into This Night", both of which feature killer keyboard work by Joe Vannelli and the driving, insanely good percussion by Graham Lear.

This may well be Gino's best album. If you are a fan of Gino's other works and want to hear some truly incedible music,get this album!

Biography

Born: June 16, 1952 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Gino Vannelli learned to play the drums early in life and studied music theory at McGill University. He formed an R&B band with two brothers, but later began recording solo material for RCA in 1970. He became popular four years later when A&M released his hit single "People Gotta Move," from the Powerful People album (re-titled People Gotta Move). Many albums followed, including Storm at Sunup (1975), Gist of the Gemini (1976), A Pauper in Paradise (1977), Brother to Brother (1978), Nightwalker...
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