Johnny Coppola – Hollywood Indigo (2004)

01. I’ve Been In Love
02. I’m Just a Singer(The Left Jab)
03. My Lover All Of My Life
04. Another Lonely Night
05. It’s a Blue World
06. Hazel Eyed Brunette
07. Day In – Day Out
08. I Was Drinkinґ(Croonerґs Lament)
09. Who’s Better Than Me?
10. I Only Have Eyes For You
11. Just Another Night In Vegas
12. My Little Secret
13. She Was Spectacular
14. These Foolish Things
15. I Will Welcome The Fall
16. The Continental Kid

Johnny Coppola – vocals
Bill Cunliff – piano
Anthony Wilson, John Chiodini, Barry Zwieg, Pat Tuzzolino – guitar
Ray Brinker, Kreibich – drums
Brad Dutz – percussion
Don Kasper – bass
Jeff Clayton, Dave DeLeon, Brian Scanlon – saxophone
Dennis Farias, Jon Pappenbrook – trumpet
Matt Finders, Bruce Paulson, Alex Iles, Ira Nepus – trombone
Rick Todd – French horn
Amy Shulman – harp
Peter Kent – concert master

Johnny Coppola's "Hollywood Indigo" is a rarity, a one of a kind concept record, an endangered species in this day and age if you will. It's a hip melange of original songs and poetry reflecting the swinging jet age 1950's and 60's of New York and Hollywood. It seamlessly transports you to back to that era when no man would leave his house without his necktie and Fedora, when Kennedy lived in Camelot and free love was just around the corner. The record evokes the devil may care attitude of Las Vegas, swinging nights fueled by top shelf booze, beautiful women, love affairs and heartbreak. ---cdbaby.com

“I’ve Been In Love” is an original composition written by myself and Bill Cunliffe. The song is one of those swinging numbers reminiscent of the standards of the 40′s and 50′s. Inspired by the likes of arrangers and writers like Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Johnny Mercer, this tune swings from beginning to end. Session drummer Ray Brinker, who plays on the tune, referred to it as a “future standard”. Most who hear it wonder who wrote it and who performed it way back when. They’re usually surprised to find that it’s a new song.

“I’m Just A Singer” is the spoken word tune detailing Sinatra’s confrontation with the press. In this case columnist Lee Mortimer. When a shoeshine cost 15 cents and every man wore a hat, the tune puts you in Frank’s shoes as he walks through Central park to his favorite hangout, only to find an unkind and harrassing columnist in a place where he feels insulated and at ease.

“My Lover All Of My Life” is another original composition penned by myself and Cunliffe. This is a warm romantic ballad evoking constant yearning and fulfillment. Beautiful strings and a gorgeous orchesral arrangement give this song real warmth while latin rhythmic undertones bring to mind Antonio Carlos Jobim and Claus Ogerman. Nice.

“Another Lonely Night” Ooo boy. Inspired by the woman who broke my heart for the first time. I recall tracking her down at the airport as she was about to board her flight. I saw nothing, heard nothing of the busy goings on at Logan Airport. All I saw and heard was her. I think that was the only time I was completely impervious to what was happening around me.

“It’s A Blue World” is the standard made famous by one of my favorite vocal groups, The Four Freshman. I love their version as well as Sinatra’s but nobody made that song as real for me as Ella Fitzgerald did. I love Ella, her version of it kills me.

“Hazel Eyed Brunette” is another original poem. It’s based on the woman that I haven’t met yet. A spectacular alto saxophone solo by Jeff Clayton gives it warmth. The vocal of “Nevertheless” is filtered with a record scratch track underneath it to bring back the late thirties mono sounds.

“Day In-Day Out” is one of my favorite standards. I did it for that particular reason. But the song itself is so irresistably swinging and romantic that it fits this kind of album.

“I Was Drinkin’ (Cronner’s Lament)” takes you down Sinatra’s dark road. It’s the tale of his love lost in Ava Gardner, his being let go from Columbia Records and his fading movie carreer. Although he rose above it and through it to even greater heights, he still felt the loss of a love never to be the same.

“Who’s Better Than Me?” A fun tune that evokes the carefree style of a freewheeling bachelor in the glamorous world of late fifties Vegas.

“I Only Have Eyes For You” Simply put, it’s a favorite that I like to sing. It’s got a nice Latin feel with an absolutely beautiful piano solo.

“Just Another Night In Vegas” is one of those tunes inspired by the antics of the Rat Pack when they virtually ruled Las Vegas. It was their town, their room, their booze and their broads. Note the reference to mafiosi and politicians. Strange bedfellows that made a rather comfortable pair before the 1960 election.

“My Little Secret” is one of my favorite tunes. I wrote it with the Hazel Eyed Brunette in mind. Friends have asked me to sing it at their weddings. Pretty song.

“She Was Spectacular” is a poem which I guess you could say is about what kind of a woman or women a very powerful man can have. I’d suffice to say that although Frank could have any woman (and did have this one) he didn’t let this particular one inside. He thought about it, though.

“These Foolish Things” Another of my all time favorites done for no other reason. It’s just a hauntingly beautiful song.

“I Will Welcome The Fall” I met her, we loved, she split. Whaddygonnado?

“The Continental Kid” is actually based on a true story. Growing up in Boston’s North End, I was surrounded by rather colorful characters. Some so real they were scary. Some were really scary. This is story of a guy who knew better than to break his own rules but did for a woman. He ultimately paid for his mistake with his life. --- Johnny Coppola, johnnycoppola.com

download (mp3 @320 kbs):

yandex 4shared mega mediafire cloudmailru uplea ge.tt

back