Ungrateful Heart

Dominic Chianese | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Grandstand
• ASIN: B00009KTVW
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,869 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Spoken Intro/Maria, Maria

2. State Vicin' A Me

3. Core 'n Grato (as performed on The Sopranos)

4. Torna Surriento

5. Parla Piu Piano (Theme From The Godfather)

6. Piscatore Pusilleco

7. Mala Femmena

8. Dicitenciello Vuie

9. Lu Cardillo

10. Santa Lucia Luntana

11. A Vucchella

12. O Sole Mio

13. Mamma

14. Chitarra Romana

15. O Marenariello

16. Song A Napoletano

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Often typecast as, in Harry Dean Stanton's words, "mean-dogs, psychos and drifters," what's an unsung character actor to do? If you're The Sopranos' Dominic "Uncle Junior" Chianese, you take an unlikely tip from ol' H.D. himself, open up your heart and just plain sing. While the actor/singer canon is often too easily characterized as Shatneresque, stage and screen veteran Chianese has tapped into something considerably richer than mere musical ego on this collection. Inspired by the songs his Neopolitan grandfather Domenico sang him as a boy, the Bronx native expands the theme of his notable Sopranos third-season finale, "Core'n Grato," (which translates as "Ungrateful Heart"), interweaving the expected standards ("O Sole Mio," a vocal version of Rota's Godfather theme, "Torna Surriento") with the less familiar songs of longing and betrayal--essentially the Neopolitan version of the blues--that are the album's real thematic grist. Dominic is no Tony Bennett, and he knows it. But his sweetly plaintive renditions (augmented by his own acoustic guitar and evocative whistling and underscored by the spare, sympathetic arrangements of producer Nick Addeo) come straight from the heart, a place practiced chops often overlook. His own bright, buoyant composition, "Song A Napoletano," closes out the collection with a line that sums up this corner of Chianese's soul: "If I don't sing, I die!" --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

''Who would think that Uncle Junior has the soul of a poet? He doesn't, for the most part, unless you consider cursing poetry. But Dominic Chianese does. He is a true artist. I Love these songs of his.'' - David Chase, Sopranos creator. Think of it as the

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Memories, August 19, 2003

By 

"lsacco10" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ungrateful Heart (Audio CD)

This CD brings to mind family get togethers full of love, great food, and of course, music. I feel as though I'm at a family holiday or get together and the emotions of family must be expressed, but in the old way, the way of our grandmothers and grandfathers in Italy. I am definitely going to get this one for my Auntie Dolly, who often goes about her day singing songs such as these while she goes about cooking, cleaning, or just watching a sunset. Definitely a must have!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OH MY!! What a Great CD!!!, March 18, 2006

By 

Louis Diloreto (Williams,CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ungrateful Heart (Audio CD)

I am so glad I got this CD. I wish my mother were alive today. This is the kind of music she loved so much and sang to us when we were young.. Love it !!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They do not make music like this anymore, January 23, 2006

By 

LIV2DRV (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ungrateful Heart (Audio CD)

They do not make music like this anymore. This will send your heart to the time when tradition and family meant something.

One of my favorite CD's to relax to and of course play while making macaroni and gravy..