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Little Italy -- where the "Old Country" meets the "New World" - Page 3

© Sonia Michaels

And, of course, some of the most famous names in the history of American popular music belong to Italian-Americans. There's a great collection on the market right now -- while I usually steer clear of those "not available in stores!" special music offers, this one contains some of my favorite oldies. It's called "Mob Hits," (yes, really!) and is a collection of music from mafia-themed films! The site is at http://www.mobhits.com -- it has lots of RealAudio clips, and great tunes by Louis Prima, Al Martino, and many more, covering mafia film soundtracks from "The Godfather" to "Donnie Brasco."

Then, of course, there's Sinatra. Whether or not you believe the stories about his alleged mob connections, and his legendary temper, there's no doubt that the man could SING! And don't forget about Madonna, either -- whether or not you like her style or her music, her superstar status is undeniable. There are lots of other well-known entertainers who may or may not have Italian surnames, but whose family trees are firmly rooted in Italian neighborhoods all over North America. There's also a lot of other great Italian and Italian-American music by artists you have probably never heard of -- check out some of the offerings, and music clips, at http://mifflinhillsmusic.com/italreci.htm -- lots of stuff, both traditional and modern, to listen to!

It's hard to write about Italian-American culture without falling into stereotypes. Yes, of course I realize that not all Italian Americans are mobsters, and that North Americans of Italian heritage are just as likely to be doctors or accountants as they are to be winemakers, restaurant owners, or entertainers. But there's something familiar and comforting about the stereotypes, too -- I don't have a drop of Italian OR American blood anywhere in my background, but, as I flip through the "Little Italy" cookbook, with the soundtrack to "Big Night" playing in the background, I feel very happy, and very much at home.

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