1988
He played at the “International Album Fair”, in Cannes, an important and acclaimed concert which launched Zucchero on the international market.
He started his first European tour which took him to France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark and Belgium. The band accompanying him saw the substitution, near the end of the tour, of the percussionist Jody Lindscott with Candelo.
In Gino Paoli’s new album, ‘L’UFFICIO DELLE COSE PERDUTE’ there was a piece written by Zucchero: “Hey ma”.
As a guest at the “Porretta Blues Festival” he sang “I can’t turn you loose” accompanied by the “Memphis Horns”.
In Germany, a mini-album was released containing six remixed songs. The title was “SIX MIX”.
A guest of Robert Cray’s at the “Pistoia Blues Festival”, they played blues classics together.
The single “BAMBINO YO, BAMBINO TU/RISPETTO” was released in Spain. The translation was by Helmut Wacha.
The “SNACK BAR BUDAPEST”, a film by Tinto Brass, original film soundtrack was released. The musicians were: Zucchero, David Sancious and Lisa Hunt; songwriters were: Zucchero, Figliè, Hunt, Sancious and Paoli.
Zucchero took part in a TV programme along with Al di Meola: They played “Un piccolo aiuto” together.
A version of “Dune mosse” was recorded with Miles Davis in New York.
1989
The album BLUE’S was released in England.
During the recording of a new album, Steve Ray Vaughan recorded a solo for the song “Jesus eban (Madre dolcissima)” which was never released.
“ORO INCENSO & BIRRA”, went on sale. The band was: Zucchero, Corrado Rustici (guitar), David Sancious (keyboards), Giorgio Francis (drums) and Polo Jones (bass); Other musicians were: Jay Blackfoot, Lisa Hunt, Rosario Jermano, Arthur Miles, Amelia Monari, Simona Pirone, Mory Thioune, James Thompson, Fanta Toure, Ruby Wilson, the Seventh Day Adventist Church choirand the Ardent Gospel Choir (Con.: Lester Snell); special guests were: Eric Clapton, Clarence Clemmons, Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love, Jimmy Smith, Rufus Thomas, James Taylor Q. and Ennio Morricone; songwriters were: Zucchero, De Gregori and Morricone.
The “ORO INCENSO & BIRRA” tour started, with a nearly completely new band: Corrado Rustici (guitar), Polo Jones (bass), David Sancious (piano), Luciano Luisi (keyboards), George Perry (drums), Beppe Martini (guitar), David Plews, James Thompson and Eric Daniel (brass section), Lisa Hunt (vocals), Marcia Cooper and April Randall (chorus).
Zucchero featured two concerts with Joe Cocker and Miles Davis.
He performed at the “Pistoia Blues Festival” with Solomon Burke, Cab Calloway and the Blues Brothers Band, and at the same festival, Lisa Hunt sang three songs from Zucchero’s as yet unreleased album.
Zucchero played alongside Dee Dee Bridgewater and the great Ray Charles at the Arena of Verona.
On the final leg of the tour, in Rome there were some special guests: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paul Young, Eric Clapton and Clarence Clemmons, other guests during the tour included: Miles Davis, Joe Cocker and Ray Charles.
Zucchero won a special award at the “Festivalbar” competition, the European Award.
“NICE (NIETZSCHE) CHE DICE” re-mix went on sale.
The new videotape, the “VIDEO COLLECTION” arrived on the shelves.
The Christmas version of “ORO INCENSO & BIRRA” came out, under the title “ORO INCENSO & MIRRA” (Gold, Incense and Myrrh) and with a re-vamped front cover.
A mix of “DIAVOLO IN ME” was released containing a version of the song in English.