That's Entertainment

Orchestra Of Bologna Municop Theatra - Cavalleria Rusticana Intermezzo
Louis Prima & Keely Smith - Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody
Gene Krupa & His Orchestra - Drum Boogie
The Mills Brothers - Till Then
Russ Columbo & Nat Shilkret’s Orchestra - Prisoner Of Love

In my life so far I haven't had to make too many tough calls. I'm not a brain surgeon, I don't run any multi-national corporations, most of my decision making revolves around me and what I feel like having for lunch. I've never had to bet on the stock market, I'm not responsible for anyone else. So when it came to choosing which tunes to post from the impecably brilliant Raging Bull soundtrack, understandably, I had a pretty rough time.

Due to clearances not being able to be sorted out in time, the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese's amazing flick wasn't released with the film in 1980. In fact, it took 25 years for the project of The Band guitarist, Robbie Robertson, to make it to the sheves of your local music retailer. A double disc CD, it contains tunes Scorsese would have heard drifting through the neighbourhoods while growing up in New York City's Little Italy. From Italian opera to swing, I've tried to include a taste of what it offers in these five songs.

Pietro Mascagni came up with his masterpiece 'Cavalleria Rusticana' in 1890 to tremendous success. The version included here, by the Orchestra of Bologna Municorp Thetra lead by conductor Arturo Basile, is both soaring and contemplative; a neat match for De Niro's Jake LaMotta.

Louis Prima, although born in New Orleans, was very proud of his Italian heritage. He fuses elements of both cultures in his music and this medley of 'Just a Gigolo' and 'I Ain't Got Nobody' is a superb example. In a duet with his fourth wife, Keely Smith, Prima demonstrates why he was known as the King of the Swingers.

Gene Krupa was a massively influential drummer. Not only was he the first kit drummer to record with a bass drum pedal but, when published in 1938, his whole drum method became the standard text. Not only did he help develop the hi-hat stand but he came up with the names and uses for such cymbals as the crash, splash, pang and swish. His wild style is clearly evident on what must have been his signature track, 1941's 'Drum Boogie'.

The Mills Brothers began as four brothers singing and playing kazoo in front of their father's barbershop. By the time of this recording of 'Till Then' eldest brother John Jr. had died while on tour in England. After considering splitting the remaining siblings continued on with their father, John Sr., joining them as the baritone. The smooth effortless harmonies, accompanied by lightly played guitar, make for super easy listening.

Russ Columbo died aged 26 in very unusual circumstances. While lighting a match, a friend of Columbo's set off a charge in an antique French dueling pistol. The gun fired and, after ricocheting off a table, a little lead ball ended up hitting Columbo in the left eye, killing him instantly. His mother was never told of his death. She lived the next ten years under the illusion that he was touring the world, an illusion perpetuated by the occasional arrival of a postcard from Russ. The song 'Prisoner of Love', which Columbo co-wrote, is featured twice on the Raging Bull soundtrack. I think I prefer this version.

Roger Ebert's Raging Bull review