The Good Fellas
Salute!

Ah, Italy! Renowned for its pastas, chiantis, and…hard jumping swing?
In fact, Italy has given us several gifted swing musicians, including The Good Fellas, who first hit the scene in 1997 backing Ray Gelato on the release of Gangsters Of Swing. The band has since stepped off of Gelato's coattails and is currently led by the appropriately named Lucky Luciano. The Bologna-based combo recently released their first CD, Salute!, a mix of Italian-themed swing covers with global appeal.

The Good Fellas capture the great days of Vegas-style swing, when Prima and Butera were working an early rock-and-roll sound with big bands behind them. Luciano sings alternately in Italian and English, backed by a solid ten-piece orchestra. But, the real gems on Salute! are all in Italian, including "Che Fine Ha Fatto Sam?", "Ehi, Cumpari!", "Tutto Pepe," "Il Buio In Fondo Al Viale," "O Sole Mio," and "Cara Cara."

For non-Italian speakers, there are standard medleys, like "Sing, Sing, Sing/Minnie the Moocher" and "Oh Babe/Jump, Jive and Wail." (The latter is the only track that features Ray Gelato.) Of course, these songs are a bit worn here in the States. Fortunately, listeners are also treated to the slow blues number "If you Ever Loved A Woman;" the Italian response to "Zoot Suit Riot," called "Angelo Selvaggio;" and the swing standard, "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?"

The Good Fellas are great musicians with a flair for swinging early 1950s style. Salute! is packed full with 18 tracks of fun and is ripe for dancing. Now if I could only find my English-Italian dictionary….

-Smilin' Buddha Joe

Visit the band at www.goodfellasitaly.com