In the United States,Emilio Pericoli is the artist most associated with the song. He sang "Al di là" in a nightclub, with a small combo, in the popular 1962 filmRome Adventure, starringTroy Donahue andSuzanne Pleshette,[1] and his single that year onWarner Bros. Records reached number six onBillboard's pop chart and number three on the easy-listening chart.[2] Pericoli's version ranked #48 onBillboard's 1962 Year-End chart.[3] Pericoli's album version of the song is not the same as in the film. It is much slower and recorded with a full orchestra. (In the film, Donahue's character interprets the song's title as meaning "Beyond the Beyond".) In theUK Singles Chart, Pericoli's version peaked only at number 30, but spent 14 weeks in the Record Retailer Top 50, beginning on 30 June 1962.[4]
It was also recorded by Italian-American singerConnie Francis in Italian in 1962 and in a bilingual version later during the same year, with Connie writing the English lyrics instead of using Ervin Drake's.[5]
Willy Alberti released a version in 1962[6] and on his 1973 album,Van levenslied tot opera.[7]
Al Martino, who would later play the fictional crooner Johnny Fontaine in the 1972 filmThe Godfather, recorded "Al di là" in Italian on his 1963The Italian Voices of Al Martino album (Capitol Records).
In 1966Don Cornell recorded a cover of the song for the albumAndiamo - Let's go with Don Cornell, orchestra directed by Joe Guercio (ABC-Paramount - ABCS 537).
Sergio Franchi is another Italian-American singer associated with this popular song. He recorded on his 1968 RCA Victor album,Wine and Song.[10] Franchi also sang the song on the 26 December 1964, broadcast ofThe Hollywood Palace.[11]
In 1994 Délcio Tavares recorded a cover for the Brazilian market on theItalianíssimo II album (ACIT, 60062250).
"Al di là"
