(February 16, 2025) Whan an artist is trying to kickstart his career, occasionally it takes a bold attention getter to get noticed by an industry giant. The industry giant was recording executive/musician Herb Alpert and the artist in waiting was Gino Vannelli, who dodged a security guard at A&M Records parking lot to find Alpert and set up a meeting.
From that critical juncture, the Montreal, Quebec born soul and pop sensation would embark on an over five-decade career, landing several albums and singles in the Billboard Top 100. But it was the 1978 soul stopping “I Just Wanna Stop” that rocked the radio waves and hit #4 on the U.S. charts. Among his 21 albums were many monumental achievements reflecting Vanelli’s diverse musicality: from the 2003 multi-language project contemporary classical project, Canto, to the 2019 Wilderness Road, which demonstrated an acoustic flavor (including a previous First Listen of “How Sweet the Silence”).
Recently, Vannelli released the deeply personal album “The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved),” and reflected upon a life changing scenario leading to his wife’s passing: “Most of ‘The Life I Got’ was written at the outset of Tricia’s illness. Thus, the soul-baring content, as honest and as loving as I could conceive.”
One of moving moments tracks is our latest First Listen, entitled “No Where to Go But Up” (COA Productions), a philosophy in holding onto a positive attitude in the midst of negativity. And this head nodding, easy going mix of Vannelli’s trademark pop/ soul with jazz flavored tidbits in between provides plenty of smiles through an engaging video complete with singers, dancers, and musicians – all brilliantly paced with the song’s midtempo grooves.
By the way, when it comes to multi-tasking, Vannelli successfully wears many hats, from songwriter/producer/arranger to video director. Yet, this is never to forget his vocal performance, which after 50 + years still exhibits no wear or tear, especially in his overall tonality. Take a listen!
By Peggy Oliver
