Hello Again Kats & Kittens, Friend & Fiend,
Here’s an Artist one should look into….NIKKOLAS SMITH. hit button below find Kool stuff.☟
MR. CARTER
ONWARD!
Joyous is the DAY! We get to go to Italy! Pre-’Rona’ days….Post WWII…Swinging’ ‘50s & ‘60s….with the Spectacular CLAUDIO VILLA…all day.
First let’s get the big papa out fo the way, this tune’s a giant. “Granada” written in ‘32 about the Spanish city of Granada, by Mexican composer Augustin Lara…BING, FRANK, FRANKIE LAINE, MARIO LANZA, PLACIDO, plus,plus,plus, have all taken a stab…but it’s this version that really stands on top…Mr. VILLA’s ability to hold the note is remarkable…partly why we fell in love with him…
From the Melodie Eterne album, “Granada”. “Granada your land is full of pretty women, blood, & sun….” gooseflesh rising.
Is that an angel? Lilting, soothing, light filled…..yes CLAUDIO VILLA had a voice from heaven….These next two tunes are from the exquisite Soundtrack to the flick THE BIG NIGHT by STANLEY TUCCI & CAMPBELL SCOTT… go find, have good time…
Here's “Tic Ti, Tic Ta” & “La Strada Del Bosco”.
Fun Fact: Mr. TUCCI’s Sister has a cookbook with the recipes used in the fil’em. Get it with the movie & make a Big Night of your own.
The SANREMO MUSIC FESTIVAL is a thing in Italy, a big thing, most popular music contest in the land. Started in ‘51 & still chugging…. CLAUDIO VILLA has won this contest more than anyone else…spanning from early ‘50s to late 60s'. In ‘63 he also won the Festival di Napoli…
From a Rarity Collection Vol.3 here’s “Tu Mi Ricordi Napoli”.
MR. VILLA was a master at the STORNELLO, an Italian street song or poem, folk music, sometimes improvised, sentimental or satirical…a story being sung.
Three from the Melodie Eterna album. “Chitarra Vagabonda”, “Binario”, “No Ti Scordar Di Me”
The amount of work this Kat did was incredible, 3000 songs recorded, sold over 45 million records, 25 musicals, AND an actor….9 films from early ‘50s into the ‘60s.
An oldie from the Rarities Collection. “Vecchia Roma” (Old Rome)
CLAUDIO heads south to “Mexico” from The Best Collection of Claudio Villa album…hold that note Mr. V….hold that note!
After that is “Il Pericolo N.1”. same LP.
Cante Napoli is the album, released 1965 here’s “Luna Rossa”.
We end today’s journey of Italy with “Manuela” from the Serenata Celeste album, mid ‘60s. CLAUDIO VILLA passed away in 1987, heart gave way, his gravestone has these words carved in.
"Vita sei bella, morte fai schifo" ("Life, you are fine; death, you stink").
Va Bene….questo è tutto ciò che abbiamo oggi,
Grazie per aver ascoltato, fino a domani
Peace & Distance.
