Viva Caruso

Viva Caruso
Studio album by Joe Lovano
Released	February 23, 2002
Recorded	October 13, 2001; October 15, 2001
Genre	Jazz
Length	65:06
Label	Blue Note
Producer	Joe Lovano
Joe Lovano chronology
Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination Edition Two (2001) Viva Caruso (2002) On This Day ... Live at The Vanguard (2003)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Tom Hull	B+[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]

Viva Caruso is one of Joe Lovano's "most ambitious and enjoyable recordings".^[4] Inspired by the legendary Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso, Lovano deftly, yet directly, applies orchestral melodies and figures in different manners to create a beautifully meditative collection of music. The album contains a variety of songs, each of which focuses on a distinctive jazz interpretation of classical music.

1. "Vesti la giubba - Leoncavallo - 3:48
2. "Tarantella Sincera for voice & orchestra - DeCrescenzo - 4:42
3. "The Streets of Naples" - Lovano - 4:57
4. "Cielo Turchino for voice & orchestra [Deep Blue Sky] - Ciociano - 4:42
5. "Pecchè? for voice & orchestra [Why?] - Pennino - 7:39
6. "O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra)" - DeCapua - 6:47
7. "Viva Caruso" - Lovano - 4:18
8. "Campane a sera "Ave Maria", for voice & orchestra [Evening Bells]" - Billi - 7:02
9. "Santa Lucia, Neapolitan song" - Traditional - 4:25
10. "Sultanto a Te for voice & orchestra [Only to You]" - Fuciio - 5:57
11. "Il Carnivale di Pulcinella - Lovano - 6:42
12. "For You Alone for voice & piano (or orchestra) - Geehl, O'Reilly - 4:07

• Joe Lovano – tenor sax (on all tracks)

Joe Lovano Street Band (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11)

• Joe Lovano – arrangements and orchestrations
• Ed Schuller and Scott Lee – bass (both on all tracks)
• Gil Goldstein – accordion (3, 7)
• Joey Baron – drums (3, 7, 9, 11)
• Carmen Castaldi – drums (1, 6, 7, 11)
• Bob Meyer – mallets (1), drums (6, 7, 11)
• Jamey Haddad – mazhar (frame drum) (11)
• Michael Bocian – acoustic guitar (11)
• Judi Silvano – voice and flute (11)
• Billy Drewes – clarinet (11)
• Herb Robertson – trumpet (11)
• Gary Valente – trombone (11)

Opera House Ensemble (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12)

• Byron Olson – arrangements, orchestrations, conductor
• Helen Campo – flute
• Dick Oatts – flute
• Billy Drewes – clarinet
• Charles Russo – bass clarinet
• Kim Lackowski – bassoon
• Michael Rabinowitz – bassoon
• Tom Christianson – oboe, English horn
• John Clark – French horn
• Ed Schuller – bass (tracks 2, 4, 8)
• Judi Silvano – voice (5 & 8)
• Gil Goldstein – accordion (5, 10, 12)
• Scott Lee – bass (5, 10, 12)

• Official website