Rita Chiarelli’s “Cuore… the Italian Sessions” is dramatically different from Rita Chiarelli’s usual repertoire of blues tinged compositions. Deciding to honour her Italian heritage and roots has garnered Chiarelli unepected honours. Cuore won Chiarelli the Canadian Folk Music Artist of the year award for World Music. Heather McLeod of CBC Radio One put it succinctly “I didn’t understand a word, but my heart understood every note. This album rings with love and respect for Chiarelli’s Italian heritage and her skill as a singer and an artist. I couldn’t bear to pry it out of my CD player.