Al Martino, you opened my eyes to classic country
Al Martino: The singer who changed Maheen’s life
I was raised listening to good, clean music. Music of all genres; rock and roll from the 50’s, old-time jazz, pop, plus many of the oldies from years gone by. My parents introduced me to so many wonderful artists like Elvis, Tom Jones (whom I love), Engelbert (another hero) and Jim Reeves. Then there was Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bryan Adams, Phil Collins, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Lionel Richie and – oh gosh friends – I could go on and on!
Classic country was never something I grew up listening to, but when I turned on the radio one day in the UK, back in ’98, boy was I stunned. To me, this new sound I heard was the most beautiful to ever come from this world! Those entrancing voices simply blew me away and made me instantly fall in love with country. Singers like Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold (an absolute favourite!), Kitty Wells, Jimmie Davis (yet another hero), Porter Wagoner, Jimmie Rodgers, Sonny James, Marty Robbins, Roger Miller, Johnny Horton, and the Sons Of The Pioneers. I even had the honour of striking-up friendships with such greats as Bill Anderson and Jim Ed Brown. And while growing-up in Ontario, I was able to learn about such Canadian legends as Hank Snow, Tommy Hunter, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Smiley Bates, Orval Prophet and Wilf Carter.
Maheen doing what he loves best: Making music
There is, however, one singer who really changed my life. His real name was Jasper Cini, but he is better known to the world as Al Martino. Al was one of the great Italian-American pop crooners, who sold a number of LPs from the 50’s, right through to the 70’s. And I am more than delighted to say that I have collected them all!
Martino was born in the US on October 7th, 1927. His 1952 debut smash, Here In My Heart, was a huge hit in Great Britain, and earned him a gold disc. He recorded it for the small BBS label long before having hits for Capitol Records. In a dramatic turn of events, the singer’s career was ‘interrupted’ by the Mafia, and he had to temporarily move to the UK. Here, Al continued recording and successfully toured Britain, famously headlining at the London Palladium. Thanks to a family friend, he was able to return to America in 1958, where he resumed his recording career. He signed a new contract with Capitol in 1962 and released two more albums; The Exciting Voice Of Al Martino, and an Italian language album called The Italian Voice Of Al Martino.
But the artist’s biggest success was his signature song,Spanish Eyes, which he released in 1965. Interestingly, itwas originally an instrumental by Bert Kaempfert called, Moon Over Naples. Al’s I Love You Because and Painted, Tainted Rose made it to the Top Ten on the album charts. The track, I LoveYou Because was written by a famous country music songwriter named Leon Payne, who was blind like me.
I was introduced to Al’s wonderful music at the age of seven by a family friend who had a vinyl album of his greatest hits. I couldn’t believe the country influences in some of those hit songs such as, I Love You Because, Tears And Roses, and I Love You More And More Every Day. From that day on, I wanted to own this maestro’s entire catalogue, and my dream finally came true on Christmas Day 2014, when I received his entire album discography, which numbers over forty LP’s. While some of Martino’s albums have been made available on CD, I got the majority of them on classic vinyl. If not for my loving father and my wonderful seller, Tim,in the States, I would never have been able to get a hold of these hard to find, out-of-production albums.
In the early 70’s, the superstar released a very special album called Country Style. It’s a fantastic LP and has a more pronounced country sound than his other releases.And here’s something really interesting; during his career, Al recorded a few Elvis songs. They are; Crying In The Chapel, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Love Me Tender, a funky version of It’s Now Or Never, and Can’t Help Falling In Love. Also remarkable is the song Volare. Martino recorded a disco-dance club version of it in 1976 which is featured on his album, Sing My Love Songs, together with It’s Now Or Never. Ever the chameleon, Al even acted in the Godfather, starring in the role of singer Johnny Fontane. He also sang the title song of the movie, Speak Softly Love, and put out an LP entitled Love Theme From The Godfather.
Martino’s contract with Capitol ended in 1982, but he continued recording into the millennium. On October 13th, 2009, six days after his 82nd birthday, the one and only Al Martino, passed away of natural causes. In life, there are certain enigmas which – to coin a Martino lyric – are “more than the eye can see”, and “more than the ear can hear”. Music is one such mystery. During my thirty years on earth without physical sight, music has proven to be my vision, my inspiration, my therapy, my lifeline,and my constant companion. I truly hope that you will always listen to music, and it will touch you the way it has blessed me.