CD Review: Ivana Santilli's Corduroy Boogie

Many will agree that one cannot judge a musician's true talent until they've seen them perform live on stage. I am one of those people and Ivana Santilli is one musician you must see perform.

After I saw her at the Lava Lounge last month, I rushed home thinking of how I could put into words the positive energy and talent I witnessed in that room. It had been weeks, maybe even months since I had seen a performance that made me feel so...happy. I wanted to tell everyone they should see Santilli play with their own eyes. Maybe they too, could feel like I did that rainy evening, maybe they too, could walk away feeling like there was hope in this world, and that love, passion and music was all we needed to make it better. Santilli has that kind of stage presence. Despite performing with a six-piece band, she has the undeniable ability to command the attention of an audience with charm and sexy sassiness.

When I slipped my copy of the to-be-released Corduroy Boggie into my CD player, I was expecting—or at least hoping—for Santilli's record to have that kind of wonderful control over me. It has afterall, been a long five years since her last release, Brown. Since then, she has worked with a number of notable artists from Toronto's own Paul E. Lopes to the King Britt.

To its credit, Corduroy Boogie is more funky than its predecessor. Songs like "C Boogie" reach into Santilli's Motown influences, mixing her trumpet talents with scratching. Whether she likes it or not, this particular track reminds me of her earlier work with Bass Is Base. It must be the flute. The best beat is heard on "Deserve," my favourite song on the album and with Santilli's hooky vocals, it is the suitable lead single. With the exception of the sweet "Torna a Casa" featuring her father, Ivan and sister, Claudia, Santilli's talents are lost on the slower songs. Tracks like "Golden Sea" and "You're So You" showcase her beautiful voice but ulitmately fall flat.

Corduroy Boogie is something Santilli should be proud of. But as a fan and critic, I mean the very best when I say I consider her a far superior live musician and performer than a recording artist. When I see her on stage, I feel like I'm experiencing something real and magical. Unfortunately, this experience doesn't translate into a studio recorded album very well. If you must choose between spending your money to see Santilli perform or to purchase Corduroy Boogie, put on your dancing shoes and head to the venue.

Corduroy Boggie is in stores August 10, 2004.

Links:
Ivana Santilli's official website—finally up!
The Mod Club, Toronto—she performs CD release show here on Aug. 26

Comments

[bwong]

yeah, "torna a casa" is one of the few shining moments for me

[mike]

Still trying to absorb Ivana's new CD, but I really like it so far!

[Bagash]

This album is hot-Ivana's voice is like butter. All you haters are a bunch of Fantozzi's