Artist: Caterina Valente Album: I Happen to Like New York / Valente on T.V.

Year: 1986
Duration: 0:0-1

Caterina Valente's I Happen to Like New York/Valente on T.V. - A Critical Review

Caterina Valente, an Italian singer, dancer, and actress, has established herself as one of the most widely recognized entertainers of the 1950s and 1960s. Valente's popular style of music includes jazz, swing, and bossa nova, and her virtuosic vocal abilities have made her a legend in the industry. Two of her most well-known albums are I Happen to Like New York and Valente on T.V. In this blog post, I will be taking a critical review of both albums, offering a brief history of the artist and the music genre, highlighting the best songs of the albums, and exploring the most innovative parts.

Born in Paris in 1931, Valente was introduced to music at a very young age. She was constantly surrounded by musicians, and her parents were both well-known performers in the 1930s and 1940s. Valente's music career began in the early 1950s when she started performing with her brother, Silvio Francesco. She rose to fame with her unique style that blended jazz and swing with exotic rhythms and languages. Her voice was versatile and adaptable to different musical genres, which made her one of the most sought-after performers in Europe.

I Happen to Like New York, released in 1958, is a tribute to the city that never sleeps. The album is presented as a series of songs that narrate the city's different aspects: from Central Park to the harbor, from Broadway to the skyscrapers. The album is a perfect representation of Valente's style, with her incredible vocal range, her mastery of various rhythms, and the energetic delivery of her music. The album's standout tracks include The Party's Over, Manhattan, and Autumn in New York.

Valente on T.V., released in 1959, is a live recording of her TV appearances in Berlin. The album showcases Valente's skill as a live performer, with the songs delivered in a more intimate and relaxed setting than her studio albums. The album's standout tracks include Malaguena, C'est Si Bon, and I Love Paris. The variety of songs in the album makes it a great representation of Valente's range as a performer.

One of the most innovative parts of Caterina Valente's music is her masterful ability to blend different musical styles seamlessly. You can hear this in her music, from the jazz-inspired rhythms of I Happen to Like New York to the Latin rhythms of Valente on T.V. Her ability to deliver her music in different languages is also noteworthy, with the artist proficient in several languages, including German, French, Italian, Spanish, and English.

While both albums are excellent representations of Valente's music, I Happen to Like New York stands out with its high energy and unique concept. The album captures the essence of New York City, and Valente's performance brings it to life. Valente on T.V. is also a great album, but it lacks the energy and excitement of I Happen to Like New York.

Caterina Valente's I Happen to Like New York and Valente on T.V. are two of her most influential albums, capturing the essence of her music and her unique ability to blend various musical styles. Her virtuosic voice, coupled with her skilled performances and the innovative blending of different rhythms and languages, have made her a legend in the music industry. I highly recommend listening to both albums, but if you're looking for high energy and excitement, I Happen to Like New York should be your first choice.