On May 4, 2008 the sold-out Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture witnessed one of the most qualitative rock concerts in Sofia, Bulgaria lately - qualitative and perfect not only regarding the sound and lights, but also the job done by the local promoter Joker Media, as well as the actual show and set by probably the most prominent Italian rock star, Zucchero, and his supporting band.

At 8:30 p.m. the lights went out, and one by one the five musicians appeared on stage, followed by Adelmo "Zucchero" Fornaciari himself, who took his place on a red throne in front of everyone.

The fist three songs introduced the audience into the "best of" set of the 52-year-old Italian, who visited Bulgaria as part of his current All the Best World Tour 2008. Afterwards the "throne" was carried away, Zucchero got on his feet and started raising the heat in the hall, until finally the 4,000 fans left their comfortable seats too, “embarking” on jolly dances by the sounds of "Baila (Sexy Thing)".

In the middle of the show "the Italian Joe Cocker" hid behind his piano and calmed everybody down with "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime". The balladesque interlude helped once again strengthen the impression of the crystal clear and perfectly balanced sound pouring out of the speakers. Every single tune could be hears - the alien parts of keyboard player David Sancious (ex-Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band, Peter Gabriel, Santana, Sting, Eric Clapton and many more), the mind-blowing guitar solos of Kat Dyson (ex-Prince & The New Power Generation), the energetic audio-acrobatics of Mario SchilirГІ (guitar), Polo Jones (bass) and Adriano Molinari (drums)...

The main 90-minute set of the show went on in a similar way, presenting the marvelous melodic blues rock of Zucchero, until the inevitable end came with "Diavolo in Me".

Luckily, we were awarded with two encores as well. We listened to "Menta e rosmarino" ("I Feel So Lonely Tonight"), Zucchero’s duet with the late Luciano Pavarotti, "Miserere", and of course "Senza una donna" - the song that should be credited the most for the worldwide fame of the Italian musician. A fame definitely well deserved.

Words: Nicki Vassilev

Photos:В Victor AlexandrovВ 

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