Eros Ramazzotti Album: “E2 (Expanded Spanish Edition)”

Description :

Personnel: Eros Ramazzotti (guitar, background vocals); Chris Maxwell (vocals, baritone guitar, organ, bass guitar); Phil Hernandez (vocals, bass guitar, drums, percussion); Mike Landau (guitar, guitars, electric guitar, nylon-string guitar); Paolo Gianolio (guitar, guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboard programming); Michael Thompson , Rusty Anderson (guitar); Claudio Guidetti (guitars, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, piano, electric piano, keyboards, drums); Giorgio Cocilovo, Jorge Valdez Chicoy, Giorgio Secco, Dan Warner, Massimo Varini, Phil Palmer, Tim Pierce (guitars); Fabrizio Leo, Luke Potashnick, Bicio (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Jesse String, Paul Stanbotough, Lyle Workman (electric guitar); Patrick Leonard (lap steel guitar, keyboards, drum programming); Melvin Duffy (pedal steel guitar); Ramone Stagnaro (Spanish guitar); Sebastian Petiiet (mandolin); Sean Keane (fiddle); Neil Martin (cello); Paddy Moloney (flute, gaita, tin whistle); Matt Molloy (flute); Juan Jose Restrepo (accordion); Rudy Trevisi (saxophone); Alfredo Thompson (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Juan Manuel Jimenez (trumpet); Carlos Alvarez Guerra (trombone); Jamie Muhoberac, Celso Valli (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); Maurizio Bassi (piano, keyboards, programming); Harold Lopez, Mark Harris (piano); Charles Judge (electric piano, keyboards, drum machine, programming); Ron Taylor, Davide Rossi (Hammond b-3 organ); Guy Chambers (keyboards, bass guitar); Chester Thompson, Pat Fitzpatrick, Arden 'Keyz' Altino (keyboards); James Blennerhassett (double bass, bass guitar); Frank Rubio, Dino D'Autorio, Matteo Bassi, John Giblin, Lee Sklar, Nathan East, Paul Bushnell, Sal Cuevas, Tony Franklin, Tony Levin , Paolo Costa, Bryan Beller (bass guitar); Keith Prior, Emiliano Bassi, Jeremy Colson, Abe Laboriel Jr., Lee Levin, Vinnie Colaiuta, Charlie Morgan, Lele Melotti, Steve Ferrone (drums); Lloyd Birne (drum set, percussion); Luca Bignardi (drum machine, programming, sound effects); Kevin Connell (bodhran, tambour); Amadito Valdez (timbales); Laercio Da Costa, Julio Guena, Karl Perazzo, Lenny Castro, Luis Conte (percussion); Jeff Rotschild (programming); Michele Canova (keyboard programming, drum programming); Gaetano Leandro (keyboard programming); Doug Yowell (drum programming); A. Baroni, B. Staunton, L. Jurman, S. Pozzoli, P. Ingram, G. Pozzoli, E. Cortesi, A. Pepe, J. Gilstrap, M. Penniman, M. Ferrara, M. Bassi, N. Hackett, G. Chambers, A. Brown, L. Davis, C. Guidetti (background vocals); Serse Mai, Barbarito Torres, Triona Marshall. <p>Additional personnel: Jon Spencer (vocals, guitar, synthesizer); John Shanks (guitar, keyboards, bass guitar); Steve Vai, Carlos Santana (guitars); Dado Moroni, Gian Piero Reverberi (piano); Anastacia , Rhythm Del Mundo, Michele Canova Iorfida, Amaia, Pat Leonard, Ricky Martin, Take 6, The Chieftains, Tina Turner, Wyclef Jean, London Session Orchestra, Cher. <p>The fact that Eros Ramazzotti was born in Italy doesn't keep him from being one of the world's biggest Latin pop stars. The album E2 (2007) is a culmination of Ramazzotti's achievements, summing up 19 of his greatest hits (alternating between original versions and updated remakes), and a bonus disc of remixes and duets. E2 includes the full range of Ramazzotti's music--ranging across rock, pop, balladry, songs in both Spanish and Italian, and duets with Carlos Santana, Tina Turner, and Ricky Martin.

Well, if this fantastic compilation doesn't bring Eros front and center in the US, then nothing will. Maybe if he goes on American Idol or does a few stints in rehab, he can reach the success levels of the commercial stars of today. Then again, here's to hoping he continues to care less about whether the US latches on to his music. We like him better that way.

His music has touched my family, my children, who sing all of his songs fluently, while we don't even speak Italian (we are learning though, thanks to Eros). His music has a real, sincere, melodic feel no matter what type of song it is. Fuoco nel Fuoco is fantastic anyway, and even better with Carlos Santana. Un'Emozione per Sempre with the Chieftains is enchanting also. Listening to his music and his voice mature from CD 1 to CD 2 is as interesting and exciting as the Steve Vai appearance on Dove C'E' Musica. Buy the ROMA Live CD also. Go ahead, watch it and try not to become a fan. Eros, this family in Connecticut is ready to travel wherever and whenever you decide to tour for this record. Thank you for staying true to your style and your music. This collection is truly spectacular.

Unlike the Pet Shop Boys' recent live album "Concrete", the orchestral versions on this release don't really do much for Eros Ramazzotti, who is way more accomplished than even his stellar European career suggests. Why does this major singer pair with such minor artists? Apart from the kitschy orchestrations of "Musica E" and "Adesso Tu" on disc B, though, some of the new guitar tracks are inspired, adding another layer to favorites. The real find here is the first two songs on disc A: First we get mature Eros overpowering the middling Ricky Martin with practiced technique and pure energy on "Non Siamo Soli", and then the classic early song, "Terra Promessa", in which a young Eros is just discovering his talent, making up for experience with astonishing conviction and sincerity. 23 years have passed in the meantime, and the timewarp is palpable, beautiful, and not to missed. Trust your ears on this one, especially if you're new to his music.

I "tripped" over Eros 6 years ago on a duet with Bocelli on "Sogno" CD which I still think is one of my favorite Eros songs. I buy everything he comes out with and he's always experimenting with mixes of his songs with different artists. Most are well known and respected outside the US, but we US music snobs feel that the only good music is invented here.

I wouldn't buy this as your first Eros CD if you don't own any of his previous discs (Personally "9" is one disc I think always sounds fresh and edgy). There are a few duds on this, but overall it's worth adding to your Eros collection.

This is an outstanding compilation!! Although there are four brand new songs, all of the others will be familiar to Eros's fans. But the new arrangements of old favorites and the guest artists who perform with Eros on many of these songs truly justify buying this new 2-disc compilation. If you are an Eros fan, you will definitely want to own this collection.

If you are new to Eros or if you're looking for some outstanding Italian pop music, this would be a great compilation to start with. There are so many wonderful songs here, and Eros is a unique and amazing singer. Buy E2 and ENJOY!!!