Gino Vannelli: one unusual fella.

[bbernardini]

Yes, I am indeed speaking of the golden throat that brought you such hits as "Living Inside Myself" and "I Just Wanna Stop." A while back, I downloaded an unreleased live recording of Mr. Vannelli (supposedly mixed by Gino himself for release) featuring the Metropol Orkest from Amsterdam, an orchestra whose work I very much admire (they've worked with artists like Mike Keneally, Steve Vai and Vernon Reid, among others). Combine that with my enjoyment of the two songs mentioned above, and I figured I'd give the recording a shot to see what his other stuff was like.

The opening number was a mid-tempo soft-rock/smooth-jazz/big-band/pseudo-reggae tune called "Alive By Science," the lyrics of which I have provided below. I've often thought there's no opener more rousing than a song dedicated to the concept of non-resusitation after brain death.

Respirators Ventilators
High and holy legislators
Give me agony
Pure agony
Vegetation indignation
Endless one-way conversation
Ain't living to me

And when I lose all my self-reliance
Don't keep me hooked up to no appliance

Don't keep me (if you love me)
Mmmm don't keep me
Alive by science
Alive by science

I hear an angel banging on my door
Big Daddy on the top floor
Shouting "Free"
"You gotta be free"
This is my life cest mon affiare
Fat lady's singing
I don't stand a prayer
Now be a love and pull the plug on me

Now babe if you be true to our alliance
Please don't pump my lungs without my compliance

Don't keep me
Oh don't keep me
Alive by Science
Alive by science

And when I lose all my self-reliance
Don't keep me hooked up to no appliance

Don't keep me
Yeah don't keep me
Alive by science
Alive by science

I beg you bady don't keep me (Al ive by science)
Yeah baby don't keep me (Alive by science)
Oh baby don't keep me (Alive by science)
Aw baby don't keep me (Alive by science)
Oh don't keep me (Alive by science)
Shoo bop oh bo de oh yeah (Alive by science) Family members mortgage lenders give me agony (Alive by science)
I'm stuck in bed seeing red (Alive by science)
Blood flows but my brain is dead (Alive by science)
To be or not to be (Alive by science)
Baby don't keep me (Alive by science)
don't you dare keep me (Alive by science)

[Swede]

1. I tend to agree with Gino on this one.

If I'm in a vegetative state,just kick the power cord out of the wall on your way out.

[bbernardini]

2. As do I, although I'm not trying to take a stand on the subject one way or the other...

I just find it amusing that a) Gino Vannelli has a song about this, and b) he uses it as a show opener.

[Swede]

3. That old crowd please?

:toast: