Let's move to the international Bossa Nova post of the day, always a great surprise by Caetano Rodrigues. Here we go on a singer that I have some child memories of hearing it at my parents’ place, Vic Damone, an Italian-America smooth baritone that was compared to Frank Sinatra in his early years. I also remember Vic Damone as a film actor and perhaps he is more identified in Brazil as an actor, in spite of being essentially a singer.This is Vic Damone - Stay with Me (1966), for RCA Victor, Vic Damone tribute to Bossa Nova, featuring five Antonio Carlos Jobim tunes, How Insensitive, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars, Meditation, The Girl From Ipanema and Once I Loved. Mario Albanese is also listed with Pretty Butterfly. Mon was looking the covers sent by Caetano today and she stopped on this one asking if this Captain James T. Kirk record was good or not. Mon is always right. In fact, Vic Damone looks very much like Willian Shattner, the legendary Captain James T. Kirk from Star Trek Series and Movie Film. Tracks include:
01 - Pretty Butterfly
02 - Meditation
03 - Once I Loved
04 - How Insensitive
05 - Girl from Ipanema
06 - You Are
07 - Stay with Me
08 - Someone to Light up my Fire
09 - Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars
10 - Shadow of your Smile
11 - Sinnig Sea
12 - Time for Love
Although this release doesn't quite compare to the Sinatra/Jobim sessions, I still enjoyed it immensely. I was pleasantly surprised by his cover of "Stay With Me" which I think is a Quincy Jones composition from the "Walk, Don't Run" soundtrack. You and Caetano never cease to amaze me with the breadth of your collections. Bravo!!!
ReplyDeletePS Your William Shatner comment was amusing, but I rather think Vic resembles Roy Scheider (another American actor) on the cover photo.
Vic Damone was also known widely in the U.S. as "Mr. Coppertone" as he did the radio and tv ads of that sun tanning lotion for years. He could also be seen on billboards for the advertising of the product as well.
ReplyDeleteNão me parece que identificamos Vic Damone mais como ator... para mim, ele é o sortudo que se casou com Pier Angeli, e que é um bom cantor romântico.
ReplyDeleteLembro-me somente de 2 músicas de Damone que tocaram no rádio, 'An Affair To Remember' e 'Tender Is The Night' — na época de 'Tender Is The Night' (about 1963) Damone veio cantar em SPaulo.
Although I do not understand the language, I got enough of Refer's comments to know that he spoke of Vic singing the title track from what is my wife's all time favorite film (a real chick flick), "An Affair To Remember". It was nice to see this album as Vic is also one of her favorite vocalists.
ReplyDeleteJazzman, I can say your wife has a fine taste for vocalists and movie pictures...
ReplyDeleteOn my comments I said that to me VD is the lucky guy who married Pier Angeli and that he had only 2 songs that got some air-play in Brazil, 'An Affair...' and 'Tender Is The Night'. VD was in Sao Paulo when 'Tender Is The Night' was strong on the radio.
Great Zeca!
ReplyDeleteIt is incredible! I'm now seeking the foreign recordings of the jequibau rhythm, unhappily more accepted out than here in Brazil. Posted a few days ago, the album More Brazilian Byrd, and now this Stay with Me, are wonderful coincidences...
Veeeery, very thanks, Caetano Rodrigues and ZecaLouro.
PS: Let us don't forget Cyro Pereira's partnership in "No Balanço do Jequibau" (or, simply "Pretty Butterfly").
I have been looking long and hard for this album. I remember my father listening to it many years ago when I was in my teens. Though my musical tastes gravitate more towards classic rock and 70's folk pop and jazz- the big band vocalists of the 50's and 60's have a place in my heart. I think this album is pitch perfect in tone and delivery. Not at all overly produced- with the right balance of the bossanova sound and Vics's own stylistic takes....This is far and away one of the most romantic albums I've ever listened to. Thank You for making it available to me once more. My fathers memory is just a download away!
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