Zucchero’s artistry

I was hoping that Steve Hochman would include my favorite album of 2005, “Zucchero & Co.,” in his “Riffing on the Grammy” [Oct. 2]. The Italian pop star Zucchero duets with John Lee Hooker, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Macy Gray and others in a totally fresh and enjoyable blues and pop romp. All but one of the songs were written by Zucchero, whose gutsy, gravelly voice is pretty much unknown in the U.S. Here’s hoping that this album will acquaint American music lovers with the talent of Zucchero and that we can soon see him appear live in the U.S.

BILL MEAD

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