Sue Markowski, Alberta Music Express
December, 1976
With all the force of a proverbial white tornado, his music has catapulted him into the center stage spotlight of the recording industry. His magnetic charisma is by no means hindering him in retaining that enviable and often elusive position. Where did it all start for Gino Vannelli in what seems to be an almost predestined career.
“It doesn’t START anywhere,” says Gino. “It’s always inherent, it just becomes a discovery more and more.” In various press releases it has been stated that Gino’s interest in music was generated by a film he saw as a young, impressionable 16 year old. “No, that’s not exactly true, that’s the first lie”, he refutes. “I’ve always had a music fetish. I’ve always admired not only musically legendary people but very dramatic people as well. People who have contributed something to any art or culture.
For someone who has proven to be one of the most expressive artists on stage, Gino started his participation in music in a rather strange way. “When I was 10 years old I started playing the drums,” explained Gino. “At that point I admired Gene Krupa and I wanted to be like him.” But the ensuring years changed his mind on how he was going to pursue his career. “When I was 16, I found I liked singing and playing the piano. I really hadn’t contemplated singing that muc, but I saw that the best way to express myself was to write, the best way to express my songs was to sing them. Everything just culminated into what it is today.”
Even at that early stage in his life Gino was quickly maturing into the sensitive, prolific artist we enjoy listening to today. He was composing at the time and he used songs that he had written five years ago. His songs are works of art, both musically and in lyrical content. They are also extremely sensitive and extremely personal songs. I asked Gino if songs like Great Lake Canoe, Granny Goodbye, Cherizar were giving away parts of himself and his very private most innermost feelings. Gino was quick to point out, “I don’t really consider them as a chunk or a piece of me. I do consider them as moments of truth; and, there will be other moments of truth I keep on living and keep myself vulnerable to my environment both mentally and physically.”
His lyrics put an end to all doubt as to the real Gino Vannelli. They expose him as a warm, intelligent, loving human being. It seems questionable as to whether the life of a travelling musician is entirely suitable to that very sensitivity.
