Though labels have repeatedly attempted to bring this Italian pop singer and songwriter to mainstream audiences, Zucchero is still pretty much unknown stateside. However, he is considered a major superstar in Europe through his recorded canon and also because of his charitable efforts—for instance, he was the driving force behind the many Pavarotti & Friends shows that over the years brought together talents as diverse as B.B. King, Mariah Carey, Caetano Veloso, Liza Minnelli and Sting, to name a few.
Zucchero routinely records in Italian, Spanish and English. Many of the English-language lyrics of his singles were penned by none other than Bono, who collaborated with him on “Someone Else’s Tears,” a gentle acoustic ballad from his latest album “Chocabeck” that evokes the simplicity of life in the countryside.
It is ironic that Zucchero has not been immensely successful in the United States, as he recorded his first hit single not in Italy but in California, with bassist Randy Jackson. When he does return, his rare tours attract tons of fans who discovered him back in the days when he recorded “Miserere” with the late Luciano Pavarotti—a hit that led to recordings with Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton and countless others. He is regarded in Europe as highly as Bruce Springsteen is here.
At his appearance at Park West, expect to hear material from “Chocabeck” alongside the likes of past hits like “Hey Man,” “Senza Una Donna” and probably “Miserere.” It should be a night to remember. (Ernest Barteldes)
October 22 at Park West, 322 West Armitage, (773)929-1322. 8pm. $69.
For “Want” of a Change: A Preview of Rufus Wainwright at Ravinia Park Rufus Wainwright isn’t the first singer-songwriter to reinterpret earlier work through an orchestral lens. And much of Wainwright’s third and fourth albums, “Want One” and “Want Two”—whose twentieth anniversaries are the prompt for this new tour—is fully scored. But when Wainwright hits the Pavilion stage at Ravinia tonight, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be behind him.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
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