Gino Vannelli’s ‘Inconsolable Man’ has long been considered one of my favourite ‘wimpster’ type albums. Just think, the album title, the track titles, all sum up an artist who sounds as if he’s been put through the emotional clothes-wringer of life!
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Gino Vannelli
ALBUM: Inconsolable Man
LABEL: Dreyfuss
SERIAL: 510 129-2
YEAR: 1990
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Gino Vannelli – vocals, guitars, keyboards, drum progamming * Joe Vannelli – keyboards, keyboard bass, programming * Mike Miller – guitars * David Garibaldi – drums, drum programming * Mark Craney – drum programming * Ron Rochette – guitars * Kirk Whalum – soprano sax * Brian Tankersley – programming
TRACK LISTING: 01 Rhythm Of Romance * 02 If I Should Lose This Love * 03 Shame * 04 Sunset On L.A * 05 Moment To Moment * 06 Cry Of Love * 07 The Time Of Day * 08 Bound To Cry * 09 The Joker’s Wild * 10 Inconsolable Man
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Gino Vannelli’s ‘Inconsolable Man’ has long been considered one of my favourite ‘wimpster’ type albums. Just think, the album title, the track titles, all sum up an artist who sounds as if he’s been put through the emotional clothes-wringer of life! And in a way, Gino has, or up to the point in his life – had, not having toured for many years, despite the fact that his prior three albums are all compulsory additions to your melodic rock CD collection.
Gino had spent quite a bit of time travelling the world, and his socially oriented lyrics were reinforced on those various voyages of discovery. Upon his return, the ‘Inconsolable Man’ project took hold. Perhaps less 80’s OTT synthesizer flavoured as 1984’s ‘Black Cars’ or 1987’s ‘Big Dreamers Never Sleep’, nevertheless some of these tunes are very hypnotic, melancholy (as the album theme suggests), and a good consistent listen all the way through.
The Songs
Kicking off with upbeat, urban shuffle of ‘Rhythm Of Romance’, this one could be a Bill Meyers outtake, such is its funky nature. The first of the tearjerkers appears with the handkerchief laden ‘If I Should Lose This Love’. Girls, get the Kleenex at the ready! ‘Shame’ returns to that funky urban beat, fitting really, considering it’s a song about prostitution and drugs, ‘She lives from lover to lover, til there’s nothing left of her, yeah sweet daddy scores again’.
‘Sunset On L.A’ is a pleasant breezy number, but the real McCoy starts happening from this point onwards on the disc, with ‘Moment To Moment’ a beautiful keyboard layered piece with delicate touches everywhere. The pairing of ‘Cry Of Love’ and ‘The Time Of Day’ is my favourite pairing, combining the lyrical elegance and musical delivery of Christian faves Wayne Watson and Brett Williams/In Reach
By the time you get to the last three tracks, you just know the Kleenex is gonna run out. All have a sentimental quality about them: ‘Bound To Cry’ is a big-sounding tune despite all the hearts breaking, tears crying and former lovers walking off into the sunset. ‘The Jokers Wild’ is a poignant piece, reminding me musically and lyrically of Peter Mayer (PM), while the last track (the title track) just about says it all. Oops, by now the Kleenex box is empty,
In Summary
The album though is great, and I prefer to look at it in a positive light. The public thought so too, especially since Gino Vannelli recommenced his touring schedule on the back of the album. Vannelli is now focusing on jazz, his two most recent albums ‘Yonder Tree’ and ‘Slow Love’ are good examples of where he’s at today. A very talented dude (along with his brothers Joe and Ross) nonetheless.
Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
