Claudia DiNatale

CD REVIEW: Claudia DiNatale - "The Little Things"
By Gian Fiero - 10/12/05 - 02:59 PM EST

Genre: Adult Contemporary Pop
Sounds Like: Dido
Technical Grade: 10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9
Commercial Value: 8
Overall Talent Level: 8
Songwriting Skills: 8
Performance Skill: 8
Best Songs: All Illusions, The Little Things, Not Gonna Take Me Down, Been With You
Weakness: ?
CD Review: I received this project from Claudia DiNatale, who is a singer/songwriter in Universal Music Group's "Under The Radar Program," which is an incubator for up-and-coming artists. She, and her producer, Rob Arthur, turned in a polished project that easily competes with the commercial artists in its genre. Vocally, it's inevitable that Natalie is going to draw comparison to Dido; not necessarily because of her vocal sound, but rather her vocal stylings.

Her most commercial song, and what should be the radio single, is "All Illusions." It's the song that showcases the perfect matrimony between her vocals, songwriting, and production. While Claudia confesses that she is a bit of a novice when it comes to songwriting, her potential is aptly displayed on "The Little Things," "Not Gonna Take Me Down," and "Been With You," all of which have an unusual depth that seems to be evanescent in adult contemporary pop.

It makes you wonder how good she will be with more experience since she already does the little things that good songwriters do.

Advice: Keep collaborating. Keep writing. You have a good team and you are on the right track.

- The Muse

30 October 2005) Claudia DiNatale released her EP My Life in 5 Songs (Figleaf Entertainment (USA), 75020 52672 3, 2003) in October 2003. In August 2005 she released her full length debut CD The Little Things (Under The Radar (USA) UTR-0028, 2005). "There has been a lot of growth since then," according to Claudia. "The lyrics have matured, and The Little Things is much more from the heart. It is a little more alternative, and the EP was more pop." Her music is likened to that of Sarah McLachlan and Dido, but Claudia's own personality and style stands out.

She first began songwriting about four years ago and has been honing her skills ever since. The Little Things was primarily co-written with producer/musician Rob Arthur. She said, "Usually I would write the lyrics and Rob would arrange the music or chord structures. It worked well, as having someone with different input can help open your eyes and mind." She and Rob had collaborated previously on her EP.

Claudia sings all the lead vocals and plays piano on her album. Special mention also goes to her supporting band members: Rob Arthur on rhodes, bass guitars, piano and minimog; Rich Mercurio on drums; Jack Petruzelli on electric guitars; Rob Calder on bass; Tony Widoff on synth strings; and Jeff Allen on bass. They have a winning combination with their catchy melodies and great lyrics.

This Canadian songstress was born in 1981. She began piano lessons at age six, and at age nine, she developed an interest in musical theater. The starred in famed musical productions such as "Oliver," "Fiddler On The Roof," "Evita," and "Little Shop of Horrors." By the time she was sixteen years old, she started operatic voice lessons. "At 16, I started to take music more seriously," she recalls. "I took classical lessons to better my voice and a couple of years later I started to do demos. I never sat and thought, 'one day I am going to be a famous singer,' but it has worked out that I am pursuing it professionally.'"

Claudia said, "I concluded long ago that music really is a calling for me. It may have started as a hobby, but it's so much more now. I get energized from music, and I convey my own energy with music. It's that simple." The contemporary pop songs Claudia and Rob have now written express the common problems and challenges of everyday life in relationships and love issues. Claudia has a wonderful musical range and she explores the varying pop sounds with her sweet and powerful voice.

The title track, "The Little Things," is a haunting and melodic song. Claudia's soaring vocals are stunning, as she injects power and passion into her work. This song was her first single, and it is definitely a catchy and memorable tune. The soft ballad, "Been With You," is reminiscent of Dido, but Claudia's own personality shines through. She exudes a tender quality to the material. "All Illusions" and "This Little Universe" are upbeat pop songs with a lot of pizzazz.

Another standout track is the soulful ballad, "Get Love." She is expressive and emotive in her rendition. The backing instrumentals certainly complement this sensitive and moving song. The beat picks up with the spicy "Not Gonna Take Me Down." Claudia continues with her striking vocals and her impassioned approach. She gives the song a great deal of soul. She engages the listener with her angelic voice in another ballad, "Love Wins Everytime." She has a soothing tone and heartfelt emotions come through.

Claudia DiNatale has come a long way with The Little Things. One can easily hear a superb and an emerging talent arising from these twelve tracks. Her beautiful vocals are top notch and captivate the listener. As she matures in her songwriting, it will be interesting to see what she comes up with next. This album was well produced and has stunning results.

- Review Digest

The Little Things showcases a big talent
Claudia DiNatale is a young artist on the move
By Kerry Doole
Originally Published: 2005-07-24



Score one for music over sports in the case of Claudia DiNatale. You see, this young singer/songwriter from Windsor, Ontario, had been a star athlete in high school, excelling at soccer, track and field, cross-country, volleyball, and basketball. A volleyball scholarship was in the offing, but a seriously torn anterior cruciate ligament shattered those dreams. Happily, music was on hand to capture her youthful energy.
"I have always had a passion for music, ever since I started taking piano lessons at age six," explains Claudia. "Right at the time I hurt my knees, I had been recording a demo. The injury just made my decision to focus upon music easier."
The release of The Little Things, Claudia's debut full-length album, certainly vindicates that decision, for it is a polished work revealing her potential. Her impressive vocal talent had been apparent early, and had led to starring roles in school productions of such musicals as Evita, Oliver, and Fiddler On The Roof. "At 16, I started to take music more seriously," she recalls. "I took some classical lessons to better my voice and a couple of years later I started to do demos. I never sat and thought, 'one day I am going to be a famous singer,' but it has worked out that I am pursuing it professionally."
Contemporary reference points for DiNatale's sound would include the stylings of Sarah McLachlan and Dido, but a strongly individual talent emerges from these tracks. The hauntingly melodic title song (and first single) is already generating airplay, and there are plenty of other potential singles on the disc. Ballads like "Get Love" and "Love Wins Everytime" nestle comfortably alongside more upbeat material ("This Little Universe," "All Illusions"). The fact that the 23-year-old is strikingly photogenic doesn't harm her commercial potential either.
Claudia had previously released a five-song EP, and she now explains that "those songs had a different approach. There has been a lot of growth since then, in terms of the lyrics They have matured, and this new record is much more from the heart. It is a little more alternative, as the other one was more pop."

The Little Things was recorded in New York City with noted producer/musician Rob Arthur (Keri Noble, Jeff Arundel). Claudia wrote all the material, most in tandem with Rob. "Usually I would write the lyrics and Rob would arrange the music or chord structures," says Claudia. "It worked well, as having someone with different input can help open your eyes and mind. Sometimes I'd have a hook or a melody in my head, and Rob would pick up the guitar and start playing. Often we'd finish a song in a day."
DiNatale expresses a preference for ballads. "I grew up doing ballads, and that is where I work the best, but I like the upbeat songs too. Because I play the piano, it can be hard to play the uptempo songs. My background is 100 per cent Italian, and a lot of that music is ballad-like. I think that had an influence."
Claudia has done some opera singing in the past. "If you don't keep it up, you lose it a little, but I could still belt out an aria now. Learning musical theatre or classical music really does strengthen your voice. I did learn that singing a theatre piece does not mean you can sing a pop song in the studio. They are two completely different things. That was a challenge initially. I would belt out tunes and they'd never come out the way I wanted until I realized that."
The fact that she can sing in Italian may offer DiNatale opportunities for work in Italy.
"That would be a cool thing to explore, and I may translate a song or two."
For now, she is working as an independent artist, but notes that "I'm open to a good offer. So many artists do everything on their own first, but the major labels are a bonus because of the money they have."
She has showcased in the New York City area, but pledges to concentrate on Canada first. "I'm from Canada and I think my music works better here. If I crossover, I crossover. If not, I'm happy just doing it here."
The Little Things is now available at www.utrmusicgroup.com and will soon reach record stores. A Toronto date is being planned.


- Tandem July 24-31, 2005

a Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Claudia DiNatale's debut starts confidently with the ultra-catchy title track. Soaring vocals and a memorable melody make it a great song.

"Been with You" is a soft-focus ballad that dreamily makes its point. It sounds a lot like Dido.

"Not Gonna Take me Down" is an anthemic track that has some expressive singing. All it needs is a film to soundtrack. This record is slickly produced but has soul.

"Love Wins Everytime" is instantly engaging and angelically sung.

This record will appeal to fans of Dido and other singers of that ilk.

Posted on August 26, 2005

- http://www.collectedsounds.com/cdreviews/littlethings2.html

Keeping expectations in check
Windsor singer Claudia DiNatale ready to release her first CD

Roberta Pennington
Windsor Star

July 18, 2005

The Little Things could be the next big thing.
But Windsor singer-songwriter Claudia DiNatale is keeping expectations for the release of her first, full-length CD in check.
"I hope things are great, but in this business I don't have -- like, I can't say I expect a certain something to happen because anything can happen," the 23-year-old said. "I hope I get radio play and that's about as far as my expectations are. That's what I'm aiming for right now."
Still, DiNatale can't deny this latest move in her young musical career marks a major milestone that even she is surprised to have achieved.
"I've never expected it to come to this level, actually," she said.
MAJOR RECORD STORES
"This level" is having Universal Canada distribute her 12-song recording to major record stores throughout Canada beginning Aug 16.
"This level" is staging a television blitz throughout Canada weeks leading up to the release of The Little Things.
"This level" is having nearly $500,000 invested in her talent, so that now DiNatale has a publicist, a radio promoter and a booking agent all working to peddle her alternative-adult-contemporary music out to a national public.
Locally, this Catholic Central high school graduate is probably better known for her athletic achievements. In 1998, she was named most valuable athlete of the year by her school. But, DiNatale was forced to re-evaluate her future plans of becoming a professional athlete after sustaining knee injuries-- not that she regrets the change of fate.
"I learned you can't regret things," she said. "I had so many loves, it just made me open my eyes...."
And when her eyes opened, DiNatale saw John Figliolini, the guy who would later become her husband and also help her start her own independent label, Fig Leaf Enterprise. Figliolini, 43, also helped steer DiNatale away from earlier consultants who wished to mold the young singer into something she wasn't.
HYPER-COMPETITIVE MUSIC SCENE
They also tried to do the borderline impossible -- break DiNatale into the hyper-competitive U.S. music scene. It didn't work.
"And, actually, it seems to be working out for the better," DiNatale said. "(Now) I'm going through Canada ... instead of doing the whole New York thing, which didn't make sense; now it's starting to make sense, it's starting to come together."
DiNatale's music is already being played on some local stations, such as Leamington's CHYR-FM and her video for the record's title song, The Little Things, is expected to start airing on MuchMoreMusic later this year. Details of her upcoming tour are still being worked out.
But details of her CD release party have been confirmed. It will be held July 23 at the Chubby Pickle, 762 Ouellette Ave. Cover is $5. DiNatale will take the stage around 10:30 p.m., following the performances of two other bands. The first 25 people to enter will received autographed copies of The Little Things.
- - -
WEEKLY PERFORMANCE
DiNatale can also be seen every Thursday at the Fillmore East, 53 Pitt Street, where she plays solo on her keyboard and sings original and cover songs beginning at 9:30 p.m. No cover. For more information of DiNatale, visit her website at www.claudiadinatale.com.
© The Windsor Star 2005

- The Windsor Star