Monday, February 06, 2012

Salute to Italy

For those who wanted to get away from the madness that is the Super Bowl, there's the splendor and beauty of Italy.

And that of course, is the theme of this week's Lawrence Welk episode!


Highlights from the show include.....


.....Jo Ann Castle and Aladdin showing their true feelings towards each other


......Kathy Lennon pushing a cart full of flowers


....and Dick Dale going to great lengths for that last stromboli.

MUSICAL TOUR OF ITALY - October 8, 1966

1. FUNICULI, FUNICULA - Steve, Bob, John, Greg, Janet, Norma, Jimmy, Charlotte, Bobby, Barbara, Peggy, Dee Dee and Aladdin
2. NEAPOLITAN NIGHTS - Norma Zimmer & Jimmy Roberts
3. TIK-A-TEE, TIK-A-TAY - Aladdin with Joe Livoti and Bob Lido on violin, Charlie Parlato on trumpet, Orie Amodeo on flute, Joe Rizzo and Tommy Petrini on bass
4. SANTA LUCIA - Janet, Dee Dee, Kathy and Peggy Lennon
5. TARANTELLA - danced by Bobby Burgess and Barbara Boylan
6. O SOLE MIO - Joe Feeney with Lawrence on accordion

 
7. CARNIVAL OF VENICE - Jo Ann Castle at the piano with Neil Levang on mandolin and Jack Imel on drums
8. ARRIVEDERCI ROMA - Kathy Lennon
9. OH MARIE - Bob Lido with Neil Levang on mandolin, Joe Rizzo on bass and Jack Imel on drums
10. ANEMA E CORE - Jimmy Roberts
11. TORNA A SURRIENTO - Joe Livoti on violin


12. VIENI VIENI - The Blenders featuring Greg Dixon, Steve Smith, Bob Duncan and John Johnson
13. YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART - Norma Zimmer
14. ISLE OF CAPRI - Bob Ralston at the piano
15. THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - Steve Smith
16. CIRIBIRIBIN - danced by Arthur Duncan, Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel


17. TOSELLI'S SERENADE - the orchestra
18. MAMA - Kathy Lennon
19. THAT'S AMORE - Aladdin and the entire cast
20. VIENI SU - Dick Dale (also on clarinet) with Neil Levang on mandolin
21. FUNICULI, FUNICULA (Reprise) - Aladdin and the entire cast




It was a fun episode, capture the cultural flavor of Italy to a tee.

One thing I did notice, having a solo number on the show is something every member of the Musical Family strives for, considering the number of singers in the cast, but having two solo numbers is quite rare and a treat too.

Just ask Kathy Lennon.


We're all used to her being part of the Lennon Sisters, but I think as a soloist, she's very underrated. The fact that the Maestro and the producers entrusted her with not one but two songs on the same show is a testament to her talent as a singer.

She has a very, pretty voice. You just can't find genuine talent and heart like that anymore.

Until next time, keep a song in your heart and whenever that moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, don't panic, that's just amore.

5 comments:

  1. Yes, I agree. I think Kathy did a fine job on her TWO solos. I also thought Aladdin did a find job hosting the show, but it was odd not seeing Lawrence in that role. At least the Maestro got to play the accordion in Myron's absence!

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  2. Superb episode! I really like the ABC episodes very much!

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  3. I'm watching this episode right now. Fantastic.

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  4. Really enjoy Steve Smith's singing. Sometimes he sounds SO much like Sinatra that it's downright eerie.

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  5. Alladin sang a verse to That's Amore that I have never heard before and can't find the lyric anywhere. Was it added just for that show? This is unusual because they tend to shorten songs by deleting intro and verses of songs.

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