Album review by Stephan Heimbecher.

When I received my review copy of Giorgio's "Party of the Century" mid February 2010, the first thing I did was transferring it to my iPod. I was surprised to find iTunes already offering me the complete track listing, given that the album won't be released before March 25, 2010. At least I didn't have to type everything myself, and that's how Giorgio joined the list of artists on my iPod between 'Gino Vannelli' and 'Gladys Knight & Elton John.'

The proximity of Giorgio to Elton, however, is also consolidated by some other aspects: To start with, Giorgio Onorato Aquilani (that's his full name) was the winner of the Hercules Composer Competition back in 2005 when we had asked fans to put music to "Dogs in the Kitchen", the poem included in the "Captain Fantastic" lyric book. You can certainly hear the Elton John influence when you listen to Giorgio's compositions on "Party of the Century". You will even find current and previous members of the Elton John band (John Mahon, Matt Still and Charlie Morgan) who helped in the recording of this album. The great opener "Poem to Life" is your chance to find out that John Mahon isn't just a very talented percussion player, but that he also has a very nice singing voice. And last but not least the "Party of the Century" features a rare and wonderful cover version of Elton's "Friends".

Still this project isn't all about Elton. There are a lot of different influences and in fact that's the result of the concept of the album: Thirty of the world's most influential and legendary musicians put together by the tireless enthusiasm of the young talent Giorgio in a project that took two years of intense work all around the world. There is a lot of representation by Toto (Bobby Kimball, David Paich, Simon Phillips, Leland Sklar and Greg Phillinganes) that is also very much recognizable, e.g. in "Nena's Last Symphony", an uptempo song with a driving rhythm and some nice brass arrangements. From a musical point of view it is not innovative, a pop album (as iTunes had correctly categorized it for me), but not mainstream, but put together with a lot of different facets. That's why I strongly recommend to sit back, relax and carefully listen to the record which has a lot of surprises and lovingly arrangement ideas that you will discover listening by listening.

The almost funky "Black Coffee and a Friend", for example, features a SPIELUHR like sound intro and outro which seems very inappropriate at first, but when you list to it again (and again) it is the perfect contrast to this brass and choir driven piece of music. Immediately following is a much more laid back "One Emotional Moment" that reminded me of Elton's "The Fox" ear with its vibes and violins arrangement. And "Write Me", a song that reminded me of Vanessa Carlton, has the most unusual and unexpected drum solo to a piano ballad that I have heard in a while.

Although this is called "Party of the Century", don't expect too many uptempo songs. In fact, this is very much a quiet album. There is Jazz number ("Love After Love") and an almost 8 minute wonderful mini symphony ("Venice Night") with an instrumental orchestra introduction that - in part - reminded me of "The Lion King". Don't think of "party" as a celebration but more as a group of very fine musicians that have come together to record some well-thought-out music, and most of which have played for free because they liked the project. You won't find a commercial hit single - in my opinion - except for maybe "At My Door", a duet with Bobby Kimball. But you will find an album full of honest pop, rock, jazz, classical music and a lot more.

On the downside, while I liked the idea of the intro with the party atmosphere, to me the outro track was a bit too much. And personally I had to get used to Giorgio's Italian accent - no offense, Giorgio. Apart from that all that's left is me telling you: Everybody's invited - make sure to accept that invitation. And make sure you go several times, as every time you listen it's a different party again.

"Party of the Century" is going to be released worldwide on March 25, 2010 and it will be available on iTunes for digital downloads and on cdbaby.com for physical distribution. The physical release will contain a DVD featuring 22 studio session clips, a documentary, interviews and a Making Of, a 48 pages book and a collector gadget.

Meanwhile, check out the official website which is updated every week with new blogs, pictures and facts about "Party of the Century".

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