RAY CHARLES SINGERS - "Al Di La" (1964)

Long before there was Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson) there was Ray Charles (Charles Raymond Offenberg) who was a composer and conductor and in the '60s got his chorale together to sing some very nice stuff.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1960s
• pop
• easy
• listening
• standards
• choral
• voice
• love
• me
• with
• all
• your
• heart

[GANNAMEDE]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember this as being from 1962, not 63.

[MrTrashcan1]

@GANNAMEDE It charted on Billboard in July of 1964.

[JJRaff18221882]

This version just doesn't do anything for me; I prefer either Jerry Vale's or Betty Curtis' version. Strangely enough, I don't care for Emilio Pericoli's rendition, although I remember liking the movie "Rome Adventure" because I was smitten with Suzanne Pleschette (may she rest in peace!) and wishing I was there in place of that no-talent Troy Donahue!!!!!

[MrTrashcan1]

@JJRaff18221882 Well it was released on the heels of "Love Me With All Your Heart" and arranged to sound like that with the same 6/8 time signature, so if you liked that, chances are you'll like this.

[stacycentral]

Although most of the popular music that the Ray Charles Singers sang was good, this Ray Charles was considered a schlock arranger. The running joke among professional musicians was, "I've got a gig with Ray Charles." "Which one, the one who's blind -- or the one who's deaf?"

[MrTrashcan1]

Well then I guess I like schlock. Not only schlock, but formula schlock. I mean how different is this than "Love Me With All Your Heart?" But I've heard the original versions of "Al-Di-La," and for some reason I prefer the way he crammed this into 6/8 time. Catchy, and easy to set my bouncing ball to. Thanks for your input.

[FarfeNuegen]

Thank You for posting this super song with the words!!!!!!! Love his singers, they were GOOD! Just about as good as "LOVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART"

[GANNAMEDE]

@MrTrashcan1 I stand corrected!

[GANNAMEDE]

@stacycentral Music should appeal to the spirit, not necessarily the intellect. This was a time of many good arrangers, such as Conniff, Luboff, Kerr, and a whole parade of others. I miss the lighthearted sounds of a happier time.

[TigerTrak]

This is the BEST version hands down! Oh the memories that come back.......

[TheCustomsMP]

I prefer the Pericoli version as well as Connie Francis' rendition! RCS does nothing for me. I first heard the Pericoli version while serving with the US Army Security Agency in Asmara, Eritrea; the house band at the Top 5 NCO Club was an Italian band who REALLY did this song justice!

[oldiesfan52]

I've been searching for the English translation to this beautiful song since I was 11 years old. THANK YOU!

[demoll75]

@MrTrashcan1 Definitely agree with you, MrTrashcan1. I have listened to other versions and they seem much too slow, even to the point of sounding sad. The upbeat version of the Ray Charles Singers just fits the mood so much better, in my opinion. Thanks for uploading this one.