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:: 16 Tons ::

:: Skinny Lena ::

:: Sorrento ::

Lou Monte is an Italian-American legend. If you haven't already heard him, I am really glad you are going to get to now. Part balladeer, part comedian, and 100% entertainer, he zips deftly in and out of English and Italian in his songs without ever disparaging either tongue.

This album is a document of a live show from the early 60's at The Boulevard Club in Long Island, and the song selection features all the styles he's adept at performing, from sentimental Italian love songs to lovingly altered covers of standards. The band (to be specific, Johnny Morris and His Band, with Vinnie Bell on guitar) is great and moves from romantic to rollicking with aplomb. I'm giving you three of the final four songs of the show, my favorite part, and a perfect cross-section of Lou's repertoire. Thankfully, the recording is excellent, and it sounds like you are there.


Antonio

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