Viva Caruso is one of Joe Lovano's "most ambitious and enjoyable recordings".[3] 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 features several different tracks, each focusing on a different interpretation of classical music in the jazz realm.
Track listing
"Vesti la giubba - Leoncavallo - 3:48
"Tarantella Sincera for voice & orchestra - DeCrescenzo - 4:42
"The Streets of Naples" - Lovano - 4:57
"Cielo Turchino for voice & orchestra [Deep Blue Sky] - Ciociano - 4:42
"Pecchè? for voice & orchestra [Why?] - Pennino - 7:39
"O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra)" - DeCapua - 6:47
"Viva Caruso" - Lovano - 4:18
"Campane a sera "Ave Maria", for voice & orchestra [Evening Bells]" - Billi - 7:02
"Santa Lucia, Neapolitan song" - Traditional - 4:25
"Sultanto a Te for voice & orchestra [Only to You]" - Fuciio - 5:57
"Il Carnivale di Pulcinella - Lovano - 6:42
"For You Alone for voice & piano (or orchestra) - Geehl, O'Reilly - 4:07
Personnel
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)