AL MARTINO - "To The Door Of The Sun" (1974)

This bricklayer turned singer was born Alfred Cini in Philadelphia. His family is still in the masonry business out here in the suburbs. Played on WIP in Philly. Enjoy!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• 1970s
• pop
• rock

[KeiserKonstantinV]

The original by Gigliola Cinquetti is a million times better than this

[MrTrashcan1]

@KeiserKonstantinV A million times better? I checked out the video of her performing it after it won the 1973 Italian Song Contest. I'm impressed that it came in second to ABBA/Waterloo in Eurovision. Admittedly she had the original version, but Al Martino's arrangement is virtually identical. Other than the person singing, there's not much difference. She Definitely had a pretty voice and sang it well, but Al Martino was not chopped liver & he had the US hit which is why I posted it

[shapeepster]

My dad bought this on a 45 when I was a kid. I loved it from the first time I heard it. He gave the record to me because I adored it so much! :) My dad introduced me to so much great music. He thus gave me a wonderful gift. I miss my dad with all my heart since he died over 13 years ago, but songs like these give me fond reminders of him. Thanks for uploading this!

[MrTrashcan1]

@shapeepster Your father sounded like a wonderful, loving man (with a good ear for music :-)). You were blessed to be raised by him. Thanks for commenting.

[kenjn60]

Your channel is a wonder! Heard this on our oldies station last week, but could not find it on you tube because I did not know the actual title. You have it! Thank you!

[MrTrashcan1]

@kenjn60 Thank you. Yes, they are now playing this in Philly on a local, AM nostalgia station.

[raincoatriver]

This is my favorite by Martino...a very interesting arrangement.

[Lifzabole]

Incredible...my search is over. thank you

[HerSparklingEyes]

I remember this song from WHDH in Boston...great great hit for Al martino, a comeback of sorts. Still a catrchy tune, truly a "lost 45"...After reading the comments I went and listened to the Italian lady sing it and her version is gorgeous as well. One does not take away from the other, both lovely songs, both super singers.

[daryaenoor1976]

@MrTrashcan1 This song never came second at the Eurovision Song Contest 1974... Because the song performed by Gigliola Cinquetti was another one : "Si" a.k.a "Go (before you break my heart)" for the English market.

[daryaenoor1976]

Contrary to some comments profoundly unjust and not objective, I think the original version and the Al Martino's one are of equal value: one adapted to the Anglo-Saxon market and the other one made for the European market. Nothing more nothing less !

[mrob75]

@KeiserKonstantinV Good opinion...But it was Al Martino's version that topped the American Billboard charts!

[MyBonnieblue]

The ultimate version !!! Brilliant!!!

[WFTL14]

Played this when it was new on WFTL 14 in Fort Lauderdale. Wow I'm old! We had so much good music to choose from back then. This arrangement reflects the kind of Disco beat that was very popular in the '70's. Another example would be Perry Como's updated arrangement of "Temptation".

[catfish198]

@prugnosibillino .Oh Please Al Martino was one of best of all time.If you lke Cinquetti`s version so be it.Go to her you tube site and say so.You made excellent points above Mrtrashcan1.

[prugnosibillino]

@MrTrashcan1 yeah Gigliola's version is far better than this dull version. She recorded it in many languages (french, english, italian, spanish, german, japanese, greek) and the song hit everywhere, England too. You may adore Al.. but the truth cannot be denied.

[wfarrar69]

never heard this one by him until 1991,when i've found the 45 of this that came out of a radio station that went out of business in1990(AM1490,WAYB waynesboro,va. that i used to listen to).since then i liked the song.a big top 20 for him(#17pop,1974/75).thanks for putting this forgotten radio tune(except here on you tube).