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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Spirit Of Italy

Three Coins In The Fountain
Al Goodman Presents
The Spirit Of Italy
Johnny Kay Sings In Italian
Parade Records SP 333

This is an obscure album, label and singer. I expected to hear recycled material on this album. But Johnny Kay is an amazing professional crooner.

Notes from the back cover suggests that Kay's voice is "similar" to another popular singer. "You recognize the similarity once you've heard a few of the songs from this album." That's pretty amazing marketing if you ask me and must have pissed Johnny off. The notes must refer to Dean Martin. At least that's the name that comes to my mind. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I wonder if being compared to Martin was enough to ruin this guy's chances or something else happened to him? Also, I wonder why they didn't promote his image on the album jacket? Maybe he was blessed with pipes but not looks?

4 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. Fun. But he doesn't sound like Dean. I am gonna say Como. Great cover!!

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  3. That's three votes for Como and two for Martin.

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  4. Do 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.

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