Top tracks — play these first
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Il portiere di notte Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, showcasing Mina's emotive vocal delivery.
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This Masquerade — Mina's rendition of this classic infuses it with a sultry sophistication that highlights her jazz influences and interpretive skill.
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Ridi pagliaccio — The title track encapsulates the album’s themes of joy tinged with melancholy, reflecting Mina's signature ability to convey complex emotions.
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It’s Impossible — Her take on this romantic standard reveals both vulnerability and strength in her vocal performance, adding depth to the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Mina's versatility through diverse arrangements and styles while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- Mina's vocal delivery shifts between playful and introspective, often layering harmonies that create a rich texture across the tracks.
- Several tracks incorporate rhythmic disco elements, particularly in the percussion, which contrasts with the more traditional jazz influences present in others.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked Mina's return after a hiatus, showcasing her evolution and solidifying her status.
- Themes
- romantic melancholy· San Francisco nostalgia· joy and sorrow
- Career context
- Released on October 22, 1988, Ridi pagliaccio marked Mina's return after a brief hiatus, highlighting her evolution as an artist. This album showcases her adaptability to changing musical landscapes while maintaining her distinctive vocal style and emotional depth. By this time, Mina had already established herself as a prominent figure in Italian music since her debut in the early '60s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Franco Battiato· Patty Pravo· Lucio Battisti
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Ridi pagliaccio
The narrative voice directly addresses sorrow while urging laughter, creating a duality that resonates throughout the song.
This juxtaposition of joy and sadness not only deepens the emotional impact but also showcases Mina's lyrical sophistication and ability to convey complex human experiences.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Il portiere di notte Start here 5:37
- 2 Moody’s Mood 2:27
- 3 Canzoni stonate 3:54
- 4 This Masquerade 4:21
- 5 Into the Groove 5:02
- 6 It’s Impossible 2:57
- 7 Un’ora 3:28
- 8 You’ll Never Never Know 2:53
- 9 La compagnia 5:03
- 10 I Left My Heart in San Francisco 3:10
- 11 Noi due nel mondo e nell’anima 4:25
Disc 2
- 1 Ridi pagliaccio 2:11
- 2 Das Kind ist in dem Teller 1:12
- 3 Lui, lui, lui 4:17
- 4 È Natale 4:20
- 5 L’ultimo gesto di un clown 4:04
- 6 Dalai 3:52
- 7 Un tipo indipendente 5:03
- 8 Cuore, amore, cuore 4:25
- 9 Bigné 4:07
- 10 Rimani qui 4:16
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Diamond Life
Sade
Merges jazz and pop with a lush, emotive sound that echoes romantic melancholy.
C'est Chic
Chic
Infuses disco rhythms with sophisticated melodies, balancing joy and introspection.
Come Away with Me
Norah Jones
Combines jazz-inflected pop with a soothing vibe, exploring themes of love and nostalgia.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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