It’s hard to imagine how I could not have heard of Mario Biondi prior to tripping into this video on Nia‘s blog. BIG voice on his rendition of this classic tune (Close to Me) which was composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and originally recorded by The Carpenters in 1970.
Mario Biondi, 42, is a jazz-soul vocalist born in the Sicilian city of Catania in Italy. He was born of artistic stock. His great grandfather was a respected painter, his grandmother a singer, and his father a popular songwriter. Biondi sang throughout his childhood, first performing in public at age 12 in church, and soon singing in public squares before hundreds of people. From there he competed in the Festival della Canzone Siciliana, taking third place. Biondi’s musical pursuits earned him the opportunity to perform alongside such Italian vocal greats as Califano, Bongusto, and Fiorello, as well as American legend Ray Charles. As word of his talent and skill got out, Biondi found himself collaborating with groups like the Change, Mario Brothers, and Funky Company on recordings and tours. Given his powerful and unique voice, it was not long before Biondi was encouraged to pursue a solo career. Featuring material inspired by American R&B artists like Lou Rawls, Luther Vandross, and Donny Hathaway, Biondi’s debut record was released in 2006. (Link to album can be found here.)
Source: Thank you Nia for pointing me to Mario Biondi (via Sempreventophoto). Bio –iTunes.
Live & Learn 
WHOA! The first piano chord grabbed me already – then the voice! I hadn’t heard of him either. Love it! I’ll take this version over the Carpenters’ any day …
Good thing I’ve hopped on the iTunes wagon 🙂
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Wow. I struck a chord with LaDona. This is like a Haley’s comet event. I should stop while I’m ahead. 🙂
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Oh come on. You’ve struck plenty of chords with me… (that doesn’t sound inappropriate, does it?)
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Laughing. No comment. Are you well into Happy Hour?
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OMG! How did you know?!
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Used to a dash of gloom. All this perky chatter, quite unusual. 🙂
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His voice is WAY down in the basement. I didn’t know anyone could sing that low. Nice voice though.
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yes, it is…
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Nice
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He is great… This is another song of him I love so much, Thank you dear David, have a nice weekend, love, nia
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This was great Nia. Thanks so much for sharing.
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FInally, someone I have heard and love!! He moves me to my toes every time.
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So, how come you haven’t previously shared? You holding out? I need to get over to iTunes and buy the album.
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If you saw the olio that was my iTunes library, you would worry about my sanity. And though I swear that I do not wrestle with multiple personalities, it does seem that way when I consider the range of music that appeals. And all of that said, I defer to you when it comes to introducing music to the blog-world. You have the ‘cool’ factor. 😉
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Olio. A misc collection of things. (I had to look it up). Then I laughed. So funny.
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One of my favorite words. 😉
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Mmmmm, that voice is like hot caramel….warm, sweet, enveloping….
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Hot Caramel. I’m on THAT! I don’t think I’ll be able to shake this hot caramel image now. Shame on you.
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Oh crap, my bad….heading off to the kitchen to find a recipe to pacify the King….
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Since you failed to deliver (the recipe)…I went in search of a surrogate. Watch and wait for 1pm post on Caramel. Do you realize the hold you have on me?
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wow.. brand new to me too… oops.. hot caramel? hmmm….lol
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Isn’t she a terrible influence? And there she is, bone thin, feeding the chubbies. Has she no conscience?
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Lol evidently none at all!
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His voice and the rhythm made me want to slow dance. Since my husband is out of town, I danced with myself! 🙂
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Smiling. Dance of bliss and joy!
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