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Thursday, 12 March 2026

Romantic Italian Songs...Sergio Franchi.

Not in the same class as "Mario Lanza" but a good tenor from the 60's....it says on the back sleeve that his appearance on British TV namely "Sunday Night At The London Palladium" started his career...its a good nostalgic walk or stroll down the "Italian Streets" !!!
P.S. Just a quick note !..the year is 1962 ! so when the "Italy's Brilliant New Tenor" that is on the front its 64 Years ago !!!!......Cor' don't time Fly !!!!

Sergio Franchi (April 6, 1926 – May 1, 1990), born Sergio Franci Galli, was an Italian-American tenor and actor who enjoyed success in the United States and internationally after gaining notice in Britain in the early 1960s. In 1962, RCA Victor signed him to a seven-year contract and in October of that year Franchi appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed at Carnegie Hall. Sol Hurok managed Franchi's initial American concert tour.
Franchi became a headliner in Las Vegas, and starred in concerts and cabarets on several continents. His earliest ambitions and studies had been directed toward an operatic career, but he instead found his niche in popular and romantic music. Franchi performed musical comedies on stage, appeared on numerous television variety shows, and starred in a major motion picture. He became an American citizen in 1972. During 1959 Franchi made an important contact with an English agent, James Gilmore, who encouraged Franchi to meet with him if he came to London. Early in 1960 Franchi had played the role of Janni in the short-lived London production of The Golden Touch. His singing performance received favourable reviews. His London agent, James Gilmore, arranged several TV appearances for Franchi.
Franchi made several appearances on ATV's Startime.  And then, during a two-week engagement at the London Palladium, Franchi made two TV appearances on Sunday Night at the London Palladium; a show that launched the career of many performers, and the most popular TV show in Britain. Franchi's second Palladium TV show was a breakthrough performance, in that it led to a cascade of events which catapulted Sergio Franchi into American stardom. Viewing his performance that night was Norman Luboff, who called RCA Victor about the Italian tenor.
With RCA approval, Luboff facilitated Franchi's signature on an exclusive seven-year recording contract. RCA Victor issued his records on the prestigious Red Seal label. Sol Hurok was engaged to provide bookings and direction for an American tour, and (while in London) Franchi recorded his first RCA Victor album-- Romantic Italian Songs, to be released concurrent with his American debut.......( Info Edited From  a very long "Info" Page on "Wikipedia")

1. Core 'ngrato
2. Funniculi Funicula
3. O Sole Mio
4. Mattinata
5. Mamma Mia Che Vo' Sape
6. La Vilanella

1. Marechiare
2. A Vucchella
3. Come facette Mammeta
4. Fenesta Che Lucive
5. Torna a Surriento
6. O Surdato Namorato 

       2.Funiculi Funicula

Rock Gently...Rock Hudson.

This one came from "Bob" and I must say that I was most surprised about the "Rock Hudson" one but it's okay !!..True he has not got much of singing voice but with the help of "Rod McKuen" who wrote the songs and produced it It's an interesting Epitaph !... and well worth a listen too !!.....This was recorded in the early 70's in London !!
True that he is a bit "shaky" on a couple of tracks but after listening to it two or three times it has grown on me and I like it!!..it will be played a lot !!



          7. Love's Been Good To Me

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Strong Persuader...Robert Cray.

1986 is the year  and I don't know much about this one !!

Born in Columbus, GA, in 1953, blues guitarist/vocalist Robert Cray has, along with Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan, been credited with helping to create the blues "renaissance" of the 1980s. He began his music career in 1979 and has won three Grammy awards, with his 1986 album "Strong Persuader" selling over one million copies.

      4. Nothin' But A Woman

Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Golden Violins...Kai Warner & Orchestra.

We have had "Mantovani" " Helmut Zachiarias" and now a new name appears on the Violin scale !!..a new one on me "Kai Warner"...comments on what you think would be cool !!

    8. Lisbon Antiqua

Monday, 9 March 2026

Love Me With All Your Heart...The Ray Charles Singers.

A nice tribute to the style of Mr Conniff !! ..That's what pop's into my mind !!...no shuffle beat tho !

      5. Love Me With All Your Heart

Saturday, 7 March 2026

Gilbert O'Sullivan .

Another 0ne from the 70's courtesy of "Lesley"....Gilbert's lyrics tell a story which is what I like in a song so enjoy some good "Tunes" with sensible lyrics !!

1. Matrimony
2. I'm A Writer Not A Fighter
3. Can't Get You To Love Me
4. January Git
5. Who Knows Perhaps Maybe
6. Get Down

1. Clair
2. Nothing Rhymed
3. The Marriage Machine
4. A Friend Of Mine
5. Permissive Twit
6. Alone Again Naturally




     5. Permissive Twit.

Where There's A Man...Abbe Lane.

Thought I would get the carpet out for a clean and bashing !!! BUT Lo' and behold its taken me across the pond in a flash !!!...so back pocket of my jeans will be overflowing with goodies....Thanks John for your time !!!.....you can just make out the second title of this L/P in the right hand corner "Sultry And Sassy" and its lives up to its title !!!



     12.Go To Sleep, Go To Sleep, Go To Sleep.

On Broadway...Robert Goulet.

On the last RG post I said I was waiting for that knockout track !!!...well here it is on this L/P namely "She Touched Me"...its a Gud Un !!....he still sings every track as though he was on stage in a "Musical"....which I supose is Ok being thats the name of the L/P.....Guess I Am warming to his voice !!...must admit its a good one !!

 1. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
2. Hello Dolly
3. Sunrise Sunset
4. Look For Small Pleasures
5. Dear Love
6. Who Can I Turn To

1. She Touched Me
2. Night Song
3. People
4. Long Ago
5. If I Ruled The World
6. Come Back To Me

    7. She Touched Me

Friday, 6 March 2026

Julie London Sings Latin In A Satin Mood.

Here's a first !! not posted any "Julie London's" so courtesy of John from over the pond here's a neat selection of  Latin standards !!



      5. Adios

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Trini Lopez.. EP.. & Sandie Shaw..EP

Now we have 2 (45rpm EP's) this one I guess is Spanish & English

1. Michael
2. San Francisco De Assisi
3. Piel Canela
4. Angelito 
    1. Michael

And to complete the Duo of songs in French & Spanish we have Sandie Shaw !


     1. Pourvu Que Ca Dure 

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Je Vous Aime (I Love You)...Francoise Hardy.

A couple now from Luc...to please all the people who are looking in from France...and the one below that pleased me Ta Luc !




      6. Je Veux Qu'il Revienne. (I Want Him To Come Back)

A Man Without Love...Engelbert Humperdinck.

 

A singer now from my home town !..Leicester !

       11. By The Time I Get To Phoenix

Saturday, 28 February 2026

Payin' My Dues Again...Burl Ives.

We now have from John in NZ two different singers doing their versions of Folk Songs..This one is more C/W than the one below but I guess that they do come under the Folk Songs Genre !

     2. The Way Of A Rose

Belafonte...Harry Belafonte.

Here we have Harry B singing some well known folk songs...And some great info on them on the Back Cover !

       1. Waterboy

Friday, 27 February 2026

I Wish You Love...Robert Goulet.


Robert Goulet sprouting a "Magnum" moustache singing 20 standard songs !!...to me he still has that West End / Broadway voice full of projection !.. that does not mean that I don't like it.. I Do......The track list on the cover does not match the playing track list !

      7. As Time Goes By

Thursday, 26 February 2026

Viva Digno Garcia.

Music from Paraguay....Harps,Voices & Guitars.Via Belgium, Via Bob..
Just a little different from the post below !!!

     5. Las Dos Puntas.