Sunday Songs: Randazzling

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Among the popmeisters who were possessed of a strong classical music influence was Alessandro "Teddy" Randazzo whose productions were amply represented by the mid sixties hits of Lttle Anthony & the Imperials. His approach to the AM radio craft was actually quite Italian, akin to songs like "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (Io Che Non Vivo) and "Silent Voices" (La Voce del Silenzio) among others--on the US side of the Atlantic, see "Anyone Who Had A Heart." This is classically infused pop music. Italians do it best.

"It's Gonna Take A Miracle" was discovered by RnB hounds in 1965. It didn't go very far up the pop charts, but in urban centers like Baltimore and Philadelphia, the song made an impact. It is lush, sophisticated soul with the prerequisite adolescent yearning draped in adult phraseology. The opening chords of "Miracle" are a good segue' from The Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby." The other two songs posted here don't quite reach the heights of desperation of "Miracle" but Randazzo's stylistic sensitivity is there. They, too, nevertheless, are very representative of the era's amor interruptus.

Subsequent versions of the song by Laura Nyro and Deniece Williams were more successful, but Randazzo's original pressing with Sheila Ross and the Royalettes remains classic and dazzling.

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