Estate’ - Long ago, but not far away.

The song Estate’ (Summer), music by Bruno Martino lyrics by Bruno Brighetti, is a very personal to me. I lived in Italy in my mid 20’s. It’s a long story, but it’s enough to say I left the US on a one-way ticket, bags packed with my clothes and one suitcase filled with music. Didn’t speak the language at first. And I had no intention of ever coming back. Fast forward, what do they say about the best-laid plans?

I spent four years living my life in Italy. I had only my passport in hand. Didn’t think I needed anything else, like a visa maybe? Lol. I won’t tell if you won’t. I lived in Sorrento, I lovely town, in the Naples region. Close to the island of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Positano. Capri was only a forty-five-minute ferry ride from Sorrento. Sometimes the captain would let me steer the ferry just for fun.  Oh, little did they know those unsuspecting tourists. You could spend your day in the piazza holding court in a café. That was life for me at times. An E ticket.

I landed in Rome and took several trains to arrive in Sorrento. I stayed at an inexpensive hotel for a month called the Schweitzerhoff until an apartment opened up. I later discovered you could rent the rooms by the hour. Don’t tell mamma what you know. I later nick named it the Scheweitz!

In the beginning I was known as “The American One”.  I spent my first forty-eight hours in town securing a singing gig at a little club called Tiffany’s. It was carved into the cliffs just off the main piazza. You walked down a narrow flight of stairs, where you found three small rooms all  painted white each with a domed ceiling. The bar was at the foot of the stairs as you entered. There wasn’t a stage, only a pin spotlight shining in one corner, positioned so you could be seen from everywhere. I don’t think the place seated more than thirty people. You could reach out and touch the person next to you. People smoked back then. I learned to take a breath through my nose instead of my mouth so I wouldn’t choke when I sang. Tiffany’s was a unique hangout that blended the locals with tourists. Openly friendly, rustic, and had a vibe all its own. It was the Cheers of Sorrento.

I remember one night in particular. I was singing with the house guitarist. For some unknow reason I just took one of the candles from the table next to me and put it on the floor, then another, and another. Before I knew it, everyone followed, taking their candles from the tables and laid them at my feet. The manger turned off the spotlight. Everyone became very quiet, as I sang by  candlelight. We were all connected in that moment. It was an experience I have never forgotten.

I have many fond memories and stories of my years in Italy. In the coming weeks I’ll share more photos and stories with you. Like the first time I cooked chicken livers! Don’t ask. The photos used in the video are of me with friends. It’s a moment in time, long ago, but not far away. Gracie!