Zucchero Finds Fresh Sweet Spot in ‘70s Vibes

“It feels like home,” said Italian pop star Zucchero early during his Los Angeles debut Sunday at the House of Blues.

Indeed, the first of his two nights at the West Hollywood club afforded a hero’s welcome for the singer, who has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide but is practically unknown in the United States.

Zucchero (born Adelmo Fornaciari in 1955, he uses the nickname meaning “sugar”) is on a national tour presenting his seventh album, “Spirito DiVino.”

Zucchero, who mostly sings in Italian, but also in Spanish and English--appears to be simply a revivalist of ‘70s pop-blues, funk and R&B; who moves like a Joe Cocker look-alike contestant. We’ve seen that before.

The difference between Zucchero and other artists who are stuck in the ‘70s is that the Italian is a masterful songwriter with an ability to produce pop gems that sound familiar and original at the same time. He can rock with a honky-tonk piano or go all the way with a metal rocker, and his band is as tight as tight can get.

He is at his best, however, in tender ballads that highlight his gift for melody. That’s what separates him from the pack.