Love is blue - Al Martino

I remembered (correctly) that I already owned a single by Al Martino; it was his version of Volare, which I bought over 12 years ago. While that was a hit for him in 1970, his version of 'Love is blue', which he released in 1968, was less successful. At least: it didn't chart in the Netherlands, but he still managed to reach number 57 in the US Billboard Hot 100 with it. 

The back of this sleeve is a real gallery of stars: it features an advert for singles by the Dave Clark 5, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys and the Beatles. Back in those days, big stars were all over the place, and they would endure for decades. Compare that to nowadays, and you'll be blue in an instant.

My collection: 7" single no. 6632
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 February 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Love is blue' / 'I'm carrying the world on my shoulder'

Volare - Al Martino

Al Martino (October 7, 1927 - October 13, 2009) was an American singer and actor. His greatest successes as a singer took place between the Fifties and Seventies.

One of his many successes was this disco version of 'Volare', originally performed by Domenico Modugno as 'Nel blu dipinto di blu' during the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest. It reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 in early 1976.

My collection: 7" single no. 4379
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Volare' / 'You belong to me'