Who will win Mother’s Day chart race?

May 8, 2015 5:23 pm 2 comments Views: 14

Chart wars … Austrian Italian singer Patrizio Buanne launches new record Viva La Dolce Vita in time for Mother’s Day. Picture: Richard Dobson
Source: News Limited

THERE are two items on Patrizio Buanne’s not-to-list — recording My Way or a Christmas album.

The Austrian-born, Naples-raised crooner who has made an international career out of paying tribute to traditional Italian standards, said his rivals may enjoy huge success with seasonal songs but he wasn’t interested in cashing in on Christmas.

“I did record one Christmas song, Winter Wonderland but artists like Michael Buble or Josh Groban, whose biggest selling records are Christmas albums, where do you go next?” the singer said.

Chart star … American singer John Groban could hit No. 1 for Mother’s Day with his Stages album. Picture: Supplied, Warner Music
Source: Supplied

If you are Josh Groban, his main rival for the Mother’s Day gift crown with his latest record Stages, you record Broadway standards and head to the top of the charts this weekend.

Buanne ’s new record Viva La Dolce Vita is a very different offering and explores romantic and sentimental favourites including Charlie Chaplin’s Smile and Gli Occhi Miei, better known by Tom Jones fans as Help Yourself.

Inspired to keep the Italian songbook alive after his father’s passing, Buanne said he preferred to steer clear of the crowded popera market where everyone from classical tenors to rockers compete to put a new spin on old favourites.

He said many of the bigger hits for his idols including Elvis Presley’s It’s Now or Never (Il Sole Mio) and Surrender (Torna A Surriento) were originally Italian hits.

Big in Oz … Buanne has sold almost 300,000 albums in Australia and remains popular with not only the Italian community but people who love the lifestyle. Picture: Richard Dobson
Source: News Limited

“The popularity of these songs now starts with the older audience, the nostalgic fans and then extends to people who love to go to Italy or have the Italian lifestyle in their DNA,” he said.

Yet his devotion to the Italian traditions does little for his popularity in Italy, where pop is the reigning genre.

Like Megan Gale was easily recognised there by the Italians during the early days of her career, so Buanne is spotted when in Rome by Australian tourists thanks to his success and regular visits here.

The 36-year-old crooner has sold close to 300,000 records since launching his career less than a decade ago.

“It’s funny because the Australians will come up to tell me they are a fan while the Italians are looking at me wondering who I am.,” he said.

Other albums likely to be gifted to Mum tomorrow include a remastered Hot August Night by Neil Diamond, Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour, Hozier’s self-titled debut record, Human Nature’s Jukebox and Stan Walker’s Truth & Soul.