I asked where she heard these songs. She said they were played as part of a series of ethnic folk music on a Wisconsin Public Radio program called Simply Folk. I was floored. I told her I had never heard my grandfather sing. Moreover, I had no idea that any recordings of him existed... least of all anything that would be available for airplay over public radio!
I quickly phoned my father and asked him if Grandpa Accardi ever made a recording of Italian songs. I explained the circumstances. He thought about it a while, then said he remembered hearing about grandpa getting an invitation to sing for someone from Madison sometime in the 40's. My father was serving in army at that time, so he didn't remember much about the event.
The following newspaper article was published in the Janesville Gazette on March 14, 1986. The columnist and I chatted on the phone for a while and I sent him a photograph of my grandfather. The writer took a few liberties with my information, which was still quite sketchy at best. Also, my Italian at that time wasn't very good. So, my initial translations for him of what were assumed to have been the song titles were not very accurate. I've discovered correct titles and composers through more recent research and a little better handle on the language.
On August 21, 1946 Ms. Stratman-Thomas, accompanied by a technician, recorded
my grandfather, Joe Accardi, performing the seven Italian songs listed below. He
was 57 years old, though the recording notes say he was 47. A family friend,
Rose DeNoto, accompanied him to the session where she recorded three Italian
songs (Torna a Surriento, Rimpianto, and Signora
Fortuna). The performances were recorded directly to shellac discs and
later transferred to tape. They are among nearly 700 songs in twenty languages
recorded by Ms. Stratman-Thomas during the 40's and deposited with the Archives
of American Folk Song in the Library of Congress. She kept a journal of her recording
project in which she describes the session with my grandfather in one of her
entries.
On July 1, 1998 I visited the American Folklife Center at the
Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. There I met Reference Specialists
Judith Gray and Ann Hoog. They provided me with a copy of the recording
session notes prior to my visit, retrieved a reference copy of the recordings
for me to hear, and were most helpful in my continuing research. To see my
grandfather's name in the American Folklife card catalog was exciting, but not
nearly as much as being able to hear the recordings in the building where they
are preserved. I am most grateful for the opportunity to have met them and
to have studied in the Center. Grazie!
 |
Reginella,
L. Bovio Mi chiamano sciurillo, ('A Vucchella, P. Tosti) Cosa chera nel fior, (Malia, P. Tosti) Luna mezz'o mare, Paolo Citarella 'A Tazza 'e cafe!, G. Capaldo A Za Ciccha, ('A Gatta d'a Zza Cicca, Naso-Gallo) Tic-ti, tic-ta, F. Feola |
(Note: These songs have been provided for research and education only. They are not to be reproduced for commercial or profit enterprises of any kind.)
Grandpa had a large collection of 78 rpm discs, including recordings of Enrico Caruso and Mario Lanza, still in the possession of my aunts. I borrowed a number of them for my continuing research, which I have listed in a database entitled Grandpa's 78 rpm Records. The discs are no longer in my possession.
In 1996, my wife and I made our first trip to Italy, on a walking tour with The Italian Connection. Our guide, Anita Iaconangelo and her partner, chef Emanuele Lorusso, were instrumental in motivating me to create and preserve this tribute to my singing grandfather. In 1999 we made a trip to Sicily, where we met many of my relatives for the first time. I thank my parents and relatives for their encouragement and contributions. I have only a sad recollection of Grandpa Accardi. It is of my father holding me up in his arms at the funeral visitation so I could wave and say good-bye to grandpa as he was "sleeping" in his casket. With this tribute I say hello, grandpa, and thanks for leaving us your voice in song!