Raphael Gulazzi soldiers on with elevator music. Although jazz doesn’t grab me quite as easily as other genres, creative jazz music remains unbeatable. Many established pop stars have expanded their pop catalogue to include jazz standards. Similarly, many jazz artists have successfully ventured into pop music. Unfortunately, Gualazzi strays into familiar territory yet again, completely shying away from an interesting fusion. Instead, he’s taking on an overworked classic, and shooting a music video to accompany its release.
Gualazzi came to prominence in his home country Italy by winning the Sanremo Festival in the Newcomers section and the critics’ award. He also achieved commercial success with the self-penned song ‘Follia d’amore’. The song served as Italy’s comeback entry at the 2011 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest after a 14 year absence, and finished in second place. (Some of us said, ‘WTF?’).
‘La Mer’ is a cover of Charles Trenet’s classic. The lyrics in this version were penned by Italian songwriter Pasquale Penella. This is a song that has been aired by several personalities, in many languages in almost every country known to man. Gualazzi is no Todrick Hall. He brings nothing new to this song. Just peddling on the same old cliché of lounge music, dolphins and women in ball gowns playing violins. Hopefully, no fish were harmed in the making of this video.
Rating: 1.5/5
Deban Aderemi contributed this report from the U.K. Follow him on Twitter@debanaderemi. Then follow Team Wiwi on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking ourFacebook page.
Still makes you wanna watch Finding Nemo 😀