July 02, 2007

Oldie But Goodie: Santo & Johnny - Sleep Walk 1959

Here's a wonderful oldie that takes us back to the dance hall parties of the late '50s. A time when people would dance the night away with their love in their arms, and dreams were reflected in misty eyes. Here's that 1959 hit by the Brothers Farina.

Santo & Johnny Farina were born in Brooklyn, New York of Italian origin. In 1958 Mike Dee & The Mello Tones (Santo Farina, steel guitar; Johnny Farina, guitar and their uncle Mike Dee, drums) recorded a self-penned instrumental which they called "Deep Sleep". Loosely inspired by the song "Softly, As In The Morning Sunrise (Sigmund Romberg 1929), it had the same chord progression but a much simpler melody line.

"Deep Sleep" became "Sleep Walk" and in August 1959 it topped the American charts. "Sleep Walk" continues to be one of the most popular and easily recognised instrumentals of all time.

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2 comments:

Totoy Time Machine said...

Nice one! This vintage clip is really a treasure! Though I wasn't born yet when this instrumental became a hit, I am familiar with it because it continues to be played on TV and in the movies whenever the 50s and 60s era is featured.
Incidentally, what do you call that instrument playing that distinct sound for the melody?

Nostalgia Manila said...

It's called a Slide Guitar.



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