Italian Cafe

[coll]: “Italian Café”
Putumayo, 2005

A collection of breezy, swingin', street-corner-loungin', Vespa-ridin', chain-smokin' tunes from the 1950s and 60s, plus newer stuff from current artists who have inherited and incorporated that vibe. Putumayo’s collections are always good, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I enjoyed one this much. Tremendous fun from start to finish!

Every track is radio-worthy! Fo’s picks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9

1. 2:21 – laid back and oh-so suave. A happy 50s stroll, like a theme song.
2. 2:13 – swingin’ 50s vocal quartet, very cute tune, utterly infectious.
3. 2:54 – supercool, lazy vocal with small jazz combo, slap bass, steel gtr.
4. 4:13 – quick jazz-tango-meets-Cuba feel, sexy vocal, light ‘em up.
5. 3:23 – young fem singer/songwrtr, strong touches of Portugal & Brazil.
6. 3:27 – bouncy guitar, laid back vocal gets silly, nice bass & clarinet.
7. 3:23 – 50s Italian-folk/lounge. Think Dean Martin or “Never on Sunday”.
8. 3:42 – too cool for the room: whispery vox/guitar/trumpet a la P. Conte.
9. 4:16 – so catchy: steady monotone vox over cool jazzy walking riffs.
10. 3:56 – 50s tune, modern band: jaunty instrumental with accordion.
11. 3:28 – husky poetic vocal with 2 guitars. More serious than other tracks.
12. 3:17 – breezy, happy jazz ditty: singer is 80! Nice little tenor sax solo.

[Fo] - 7/15/05