Giorgia - Senza Paura (2CD Gold Edition) (2014)

Every country has its share of current outstanding female pop singers with powerhouse voices e.g Sanna Nielsen, Helena Paparizou, Helene Fischer, Shirley Clamp, Sissel, Agnetha Fältskog, Agnes, Adele, Katy B, Leona Lewis, to name but a few. Italy's representative in this category surely has to be Giorgia. I'm embarrassed to have found out about her so belatedly, but that's what happens with best kept secrets sometimes though in actuality Giorgia is well established in her own country. That said, the joy is in the discovery and I am so glad to have found my way here. Giorgia sings mostly in Italian and the language sounds (to my English speaking ears ) wonderfully exotic - the phrasing crisp and clear. I think it's because she literally wraps herself around the words and extracts so much 'juice'from them that she brings the language to life. A perfect example is the stunning track (and video- check out You Tube for something refreshingly honest) Non mi ami. This has to be one the most interestingly constructed songs I have ever heard. Completely soulful, it carries you along like a gentle rolling wave. Well, of course I am gushing here but I really can't help it. Many styles are covered in this collection but always with a soulful touch. There's the pulsing dance tracks Perfetto and La Mia Stanza and heartfelt ballads like Pregherò (two versions here, one including Alicia Keys, both equally stunning|) and the beautiful Vedrai com'è with its lovely piano refrain. I especially like some of the overdubbing? or harmonising to give Giorgia's voice a fuller sound but really she doesn't need the help.