Three Coins In The Fountain
The Spirit Of Italy
Johnny Kay Sings In Italian
Parade Records SP 333
From the back cover: Johnny Kay – One of the most exciting new voices to come to the fore is the voice of Johnny Kay. His exquisite melodic tone, similar in many respects to another one of Amerian's most beloved and admired singers, is an experience in listening. You'll recognize this similarity once you've heard a few of the songs from this album. You may even prefer Johnny Kay as he sings of Italy and Italians; of their sensuous, romantic nature; of their love and appreciation for beauty and the arts; of their sheer delight in music and song.
From the very moment you begin to hear these beautiful melodies as such by Johnny Kay and played by Al Goodman and his orchestra you respond enthralled and enraptured. You will assume a buoyancy of spirit that comes usually from sipping good Italian wine. Before long, you feel yourself transplanted to Italy; perhaps at a gay street fair in romantic Rome; gliding gently in a Gondola on the waterways in Venice, or partaking of the old world beauty in the sun-swept Bay of Naples. When the music is over and you awaken to the stark reality of life you will say to yourself, "How beautiful! I must enjoy this album again, soon!"
Johnny Kay, although comparatively new has many recordings to his credit, already. Besides several guest appearances on various TV shows he has been featured on many occasions on the Jack Paar Show. His is a voice to go out of your way to hear.
Look for Johnny Kay's other albums – Hymns and Como Esta from Johnny Kay.
Al Goodman – Al Goodman, who renders the orchestrations in this album is a famous conductor and musician who has devoted all his life to music. His love for music and his inherent musical ability were manifest at an early age when he sang soprano in his father's choir, became a musician in the pit of a local "movie house", and was awarded a scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.
In 1915 Al Goodman was selected by Earl Carroll to accompany him to California as arranger and conductor. That was Goodman's official entry into show business... the start of an illustrious musical career which brought him into personal conductor of many shows and musical productions whose successes were due in great measure to his outstanding ability.
Al Goodman produced musical comedies with Earl Carroll Cottage." He became Al Jolson's personal conductor and arranger, then J. J. Shubert made him general musical director and associated with various Radio and TV Shows as musical consultant and director, including the Hit Parade and the Colgate conductor, recording artist or musical supervisor for about 200 famous musical shows and programs. He has worked with the biggest names in the history of Broadway: Earl Carroll, Al Brice, George Jessel, Flo Ziegfeld, James Melton, Max Gordon, Bob Hope and many, many others.
The name of Al Goodman, arranger, conductor, musician is one of the brightest lights of show business on Broadway.
Three Coins In The Fountain
O Sole Mio
Mamma
Arriverderci Roma
O Marie
Torna A Zorrino
Chitara Romana
Mattinatta
Marinarello
Santa Lucia
Veni Sul Mar
Great voice but this song always reminds me of "Planes, Train and Automobiles". And the way the album cover is designed, I would have thought this was performed by someone named Al Goodman. Hey, I'm ignorant, it's not my fault.
ReplyDeleteFun. But he doesn't sound like Dean. I am gonna say Como. Great cover!!
ReplyDeleteThat's three votes for Como and two for Martin.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the picture of him on the his album Como Esta is actually him. He did a number of Christmas albums under the name Johnny Cole. I wonder how we can find out more on him. His real name is supposed to be John Kaminsky from Chicago born around 1930. There are quite a few of his songs on iTunes and youtube.
ReplyDelete