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Domenick the Donkey |
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| Lou Monte
(1917 - 1989) |
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| He was known as "The King of
Italian-American Hit Records" but for just plain fun-loving entertainment,
he was exceptionally good. His contagious sense of humor could have you
hysterical one moment, but if he changed to a sentimental Italian ballad, he
could have you on the verge of tears. That was Lou Monte. |
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| An important theme in Monte's
Italian-American humor is his tendency to Italian-Americanize American
history and life. Such a technique served this marginal ethnic group by
making it feel a part of Americas early historical development. It also
served to heighten a sense of in-group solidarity by the ludicrous layering
of Italianicity on things supposedly rock-solid Anglo-Saxon.
In one song, he asks the question, "What did Washington
say when crossing the Delaware? The answer: Fa unfridd! (Its cold!). This
bit is a take-off on a joke which was popular in the Italian- American
community, although Monte sanitized the coarser punch line. In this way, he
played to the Italian-American audience, knowing its members would enjoy and
relate to the reference.
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| He became famous for his
so-called novelty songs such as Dominick The Donkey, Peppino U Suricillo
(The Italian Mouse), Italian Cowboy Song, Italian Jingle Bells, and Lazy
Mary (C'era a Luna, Mienza u Mare). Like most Italian-American comedians,
Montes humor dealt with the common themes of marriage, courtship, sexual
relationships, and food.
In his food song, My Rosina The Menu Song, the
lyrics include: She is so good looking when she is cooking, what a beautiful
sight among the pots and pans. In collaboration with Ray Allen, Monte wrote,
Who Stole My Provolone? (sung to the tune of Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley)
a song parody, making use of the double entendre.
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LOU MONTE
Lou Monte, an
Italian-American of Calabrian heritage, was born as Louis Scaglione on
April 2, 1917 in Manhattan, New York. He played the guitar and started
singing as a child beginning his professional career as a singer,
comedian, and musician as a young man. |
![Stop sample clip of the song Tres Deseos (Three Wishes) [Album Version]](../Images/bt_stop_o.gif){kind=small}
