Today we have a treat for you!
One of our followers, Keith Allen, AKA “The Nostalgic Italian“, has written a guest post which we’re sure you’ll find entertaining, interesting and enlightening. It’s guaranteed to brighten up your Sunday. Enough talking from me; I’m going to hand the reigns over to Keith for the first edition of Be Our Guest in The Rhythm Section. Let’s give him a warm welcome! Take it away, Keith!
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I’m Keith, known to my blog followers as “The Nostalgic Italian.” I am honored to have been invited by Nancy to share some songs with you. I suppose it is only fitting that I start with an Italian song from my favorite Italian singer – Dean Martin.
If someone asked me to pick my favorite Dean Martin album, I would probably pick “Dino – Italian Love Songs.” I have this on vinyl and I have listened to it more than once on the record player my wife bought me for my birthday a few years back. The entire album is fantastic and includes some of his biggest hits.
One of my favorite cuts on the album is a song written by Johnny Cola called “Vieni Su“. The song was never released as a single, but it should have been.
As far as the lyrics to this song, there aren’t many. As a matter of fact, it’s one verse and a chorus. Perhaps that’s what makes it all the more powerful to me. In Italian, Vieni means “come” and Su means “on”. The song is about a man who has waited for his special woman. He adores her and loves her. Now, he wants her to come with him through the years ahead and spend the time ahead together. A simple love story.
The song was recorded while Dean was still with Capitol Records. The melody of this song is just beautiful. I love the entire arrangement of this song. Dean’s vocal is simple, and spot on. It is such a perfect love song.
For me personally, it takes on a whole new meaning. Ever since becoming a father I wished for a daughter. I have two sons from my first marriage and shortly afterward, I was told I only had about a 4% chance of ever having more children. When I remarried, we were surprised to find we were expecting our first child together. We decided to find out the gender and I was overjoyed to find out we were having a baby girl. Ever since she was born, it is a song that I sing to her. When you hear the song, or read the lyrics, you will see just how much they mean to me. It is a song that I can listen to over and over again.
Vieni Su
Vieni su, vieni su, vieni
Come along through the years with me
Can’t you see how I adore you
And how long I waited for you
Vieni su, vieni su
Won’t you say you love me too
Can’t you see how much I adore you
And how long I waited for you
Vieni su, vieni su
Won’t you say you love me too
Well, I hope you enjoyed my first contribution to Be Our Guest here at The Rhythm Section! Please leave a comment or even your favorite Dean Martin video and maybe I’ll be asked back again to do another slot.
Arrivederci!
Keith, The Nostalgic Italian
KA © 2023
The Elephant's Trunk 
Keith, you obviously have the ability ( natural, I believe) to weave informative elements with storytelling; following the thread of your words becomes an action similar to the ritual of listening to a vinyl record.
It should not come as a surprise from someone who uses Nostalgic at his blog-o-sphere name … (Si, Nancy…Italian, also).
A most excellent opening for Be Our Guest.
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Very nice comment, Nick, and I know your words came from the heart. ❤︎
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Thank you, Nick! I really appreciate your kind words.
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Hi Keith, nice post!
Every day is a learning day for me (especially when I visit this blog!) I never knew Dean Martin was Italian! 🙄😊 (Apologies if it was obvious or common knowledge, but that snippet of detail never reached me until today!) In my defence, though, I openly admit to being not very musical, although I am getting better. Slowly! 🤣
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No judgement from me, Tom. He was born Dino Crocetti.
One doesn’t have to be “musical” to enjoy music or learn new things. I worked in radio for almost 30 years, so my head is full of musical trivia.
Thanks for reading.
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Tom, I’m so glad you enjoy our blog as much as you do. 🤗
We have fun, we disagree (sometimes strongly), and we have good laughs with our readers … never at them.
No apologies necessary. Everyone’s got some music in them, even if it’s just a bit. 🎶
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I have more than I had, but it’s still just a bit! 🤣 I laugh at myself often! I think that enables me to say that I don’t know something… or, to be more accurate, think I know it differently! 😊
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IMHO the willingness to try different things, even if you fail, coupled with the ability to laugh at yourself is one of the keys to a happy life.
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I agree. There’s also the chance we may enjoy the new things we try, which boosts the happiness no end.
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As Wayne Gretsky, a famous ice hockey player, once said: you will miss every shot you don’t take.
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Very nice! So lovely to sing this to one’s long-awaited daughter.
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She is three now and I still sing it to her, although she prefers Wheels on the Bus…. Lol
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We had so many ridiculous things we came up with riding that bus…
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Questa canzone è molto bella!
Dino had a voice like warm honey (mixed with a little bourbon!).
I enjoyed this very much, Keith! Thanks for a lovely guest post.
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Thank you for the invite! I love your site and am so glad to be able to make an occasional submission for it.
Keep up the great work.
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Thanks, Keith! It’s a pleasure.
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As deep and smooth as The Tiber.
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Indeed! I’m glad you liked it
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That was divine, Dean’s voice was smooth cream. An absolute delight, thank you for sharing Keith 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it!It is such a wonderful example of how he conveys the feelings of the song. It’s a favorite for sure.
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Hi Keith. Dean Martin had a decent voice.
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Not many people agree, but I always felt that Dean had a better voice than Frank Sinatra. I love Frank – his interpretations and phrasing were top notch – but Dean’s voice was warmer and genuine.
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I think of them all as “rat pack”. I never really got into the music but it is pleasant enough. all of them. It’s easy to see why they got to the top of their profession.
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Their voices are different and, for the most part, they sang a different style of song. Both voices are fabulous; however Frank was the essence of a “performer”.
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