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Raquel Bitton: Rhythm of the Heart

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Raquel Bitton: Rhythm of the Heart
There are two powerful aural cues on Raquel Bitton's Rhythm of the Heart. The first is Edith Piaf. I don't suspect that any song sung in French does not cue a thought of Piaf. The second cue is that of the Latinesque music often featured on the Lawrence Welk Show, the only place to hear this music in some climes and times. Bitton chooses the songbook of Tino Rossi (1907—1983) for her subject. Rossi was the Latin voice of the French Cabaret with movie-star looks, who could capture pure pathos with his voice returning it flavored with the pungent spice of the islands. Bitton creates and navigates this sonic theme expertly, lending it a sound authenticity and grace.

Bitton took these songs, casting them in a variety of styles: Sambas, Bossa Novas, Tangos, Cha-chas, Boleros, Haitian Merengue and Danzon, all to intoxicating effect. Her voice is urgent with humidity; breezy with love and loss. She is supported by a large group from the San Francisco Orchestra, completely augmented by Jorge Trivisonno's bandoneon, the ubiquitous presence of which imparts an Old-World charm in the New World Havana Bitton is building in song. Guitarist Ramon Stagnaro and trumpeter Joel Behrman both supplement Trivisonno in the Franco-Latin soundscape presented here.

Track Listing

Il Pleut sur la route; Le secret de tes caresses; Un Violon dans la nuit; Merci pour tes fleurs; Pardonne moi; Guitarra mia; Bonjour Tristesse; Plus je vous aime; Tango Melodie J'ai garde ta photo sur mon coeur; Il est trop tard; Tout Bleu.

Personnel

Raquel Bitton: vocals; Jorge Tricisonno: bandoneon; Ramon Stagnaro: acoustic guitar; Rebeca Mauleon: piano; Carlos del Puerto Jr.: bass; Jimmy Branly: drums; Orestes Vilato: timbalist; Jesus Diaz: congas; Joel Behrman: trumpet. Members of The San Francisco Symphony.

Album information

Title: Rhythm of the Heart | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced

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