Don't Laugh At Me To Debut Tonight in Springfield, MO

Hey Frank Rendo Fans~

Just wanted to let you know that Frank's newest single, DON'T LAUGH AT ME, will have it's debut air play this evening here in Springfield, MO.

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As you can read in the following thread, this new single, which will soon be released on Frank's new CD, (title under consideration at this point), in July is a poignant, brilliantly done piece.

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I'm excited that Springfield, MO and surrounding area listeners will have the chance to hear this talented individual. Frank is no stranger to the Midwest, having spent some years living in Oklahoma. He now returns to this area, in song.

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Something tells me that we're going to start hearing the name and the music of one Frank Rendo more and more often, and in more and more places.

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Wishing you all the best!

~Martini

DON'T LAUGH AT ME as recorded by FRANK RENDO

I am so enthused about writing this posting for you today, my friends - I can't even describe it!

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It is really a pleasure for me to tell all of you about Frank Rendo's newest recording, a touching song called "DON'T LAUGH AT ME."

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Frank does not work alone on this creative endeavor. He is joined by Broadway actor and Cabaret Singer, Jonathan Rayson;

singer/songwriter/arranger, talented Palma Pascale and gifted guitarist, master engineer and owner of Tiki Recording Studios, Fred Guarino.

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Here is a little teaser of Frank Rendo singing his newest single: DON'T LAUGH AT ME! Enjoy!

Frank is nothing less than brilliant in his vocal and theatrical delivery of this song and story. The story is one that I would guess more people will relate to than not, from some point-in-time in their lives. (photo: Frank Rendo) ~

The story is a decidedly poignant one - and I'm willing to offer that many of you will, indeed, find a tear in your eyes and a lump in your throat as you listen....that is, if you're not just plain weeping! I say this not only because of the message of the song, but because of the raw beauty of this recording, itself - and of course, Frank's delivery!

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This song is resplendent from the first note to the very last one. If you have read my reviews of Frank's work in the past, you already know that I believe him to have been blessed by God with one of THE most handsome, full-bodied, rich and EXPRESSIVE voices this writer has ever encountered. (And trust me when I tell you, I've been exposed to some mighty-fine vocalists in my life, so far).

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Yet, there is a distinguished, distinctive quality to Frank's voice. One listen to this amazing recording and you'll immediately hear what I mean. It is so well crafted, and sung... and it is so evidently pulled from that "special place" way deep down within Frank. The melody may not present him with a vocal challenge, yet the story, itself, demands to be sung with a love and caring that Frank easily carries out. He sings it sort of "respectfully", if you will.

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"...I'm the little boy with glasses - the one they call the geek.

A little girl who never smiles cause I got braces on my teeth.

I know what it's like to cry myself to sleep.

I'm that kid on every playground - who's always chosen last.

A single teenage mother tryin' to overcome my past.

You don't have to be my friend - but is it too much to ask???

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Don't laugh at me - don't call me names - don't get your pleasure from my pain.

In God's eyes, we're all the same - someday we'll all have perfect wings.

Don't laugh at me...."

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That is all of the story I'm telling you - but you can see for yourself what I mean about the poignancy of the story, yes? AND....that's why it's SO important that it be conveyed correctly. Count on Frank to carry that out, perfectly.

~ Providing the magnificent orchestration is Palma Pascale. She, too, has a "knack" to know exactly which spot to sweeten just so, and which ones can stand all by themselves. Her "less is more" application I myself am learning more about as I begin recording and arranging, but know this: This is a skill that most people (like me) need to work at and practice to get good at it. Palm has the innate ability to already "know" and can already "hear" what she wants to do. She just sits, and does it. She may make more than one pass at it, but the ability is built-in and comes across as easily to Palm as walking does to most of the rest of us. Her simple, clean piano intro sets the tone for the song perfectly. (pictured above: Palma Pascale)

Add some beautiful strings here and there to heighten the intensity, and another instrument or two, and voila! Another stellar arrangement.

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Frank is joined on the chorus by the crisp, strong and clear voice of Broadway's own Jonathan Rayson. Jonathan's vocal so compliments Frank's - they sing perfectly together, and it is obviously done with "ease." There are people who try to duet together - we've all heard them - they sound as though the two voices are competing with one another, or that it's really an "effort" to be in sync with one another.

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Not true in this case. Jonathan easily followed Frank's lead and you can immediately tell there was a distinct comfort level between the two. A chemistry, of sorts. (pictured: Jonathan Rayson)

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Jonathan Rayson began singing with his father's cover band at the early age of 7 years. He began acting as a junior in high school, and has been singing and acting ever since! He has performed both ON Broadway as well as OFF Broadway - in Regional Theatre where he has played roles like Cornelius Hackl in HELLO DOLLY - he has performed in many workshops and showcases - has done concert performances and, he just recently released his first solo CD (and I have one of these - it's outstanding) called SHINY AND NEW. Jonathan performs 14 cover songs on SHINY AND NEW - two of which are by some of my own very favorite, long-time artists: Billy Joel and Carpenters. Besides the other 12 cuts on this CD, Jonathan performs Billy's "Summer Highland Falls" and Richard Carpenter's "I Need To Be in Love" with true style! A really tremendous collection of tunes.

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So on this recording, Jonathan first joins Frank on the chorus, and these two are so perfectly tuned-in with each other, that they sound like one!

~ Another element to this composition comes from the skilled engineer of the song, Fred Guarino. Fred has played guitar for many years, but his guitar seems to have taken a backseat to his passion for recording other incredible artists.....and he's amazing at what he does behind that console, believe me. But....Fred is a quite good, creative guitarist, as well. Fred's chops - they're rock-solid.

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Fred adds such nice, tasteful guitar elements to this song - nothing overdone, but his guitar is a very important piece of the whole. (pictured: Palma Pascale/Fred Guarino)

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I have been fortunate enough to have listened to this song from its first recording stages....that is, at first, just Frank's vocal, some drums, and piano by Palm. Each time I heard a new version, little bits and pieces had been added. One such listen included the first session of Fred's guitar work - some of which changed from the first pass. I very much like what Fred added - the style in which he played, and the effects he chose to use.

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Now, not only did Fred do the wonderful guitar work - it's his expertise that provides the awesome, perfectly timed and again, tastefully executed drums! Wow! Trust me - it's not an "easy" task by any means to coordinate these drums and do it so that the drums are not overpowering...but they must help the expression of the song along - and Fred's treatment here perfectly compliments the work of everyone else involved.

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Are you feeling the sense of all of these separate pieces joining one another to end up as one solid creation? Fred pulls the well done pieces together and, as Palm recently said to me, "provides the grout to make the pieces seamless." Amen to that!

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And, speaking of Palma - after a modulation where Frank's lead vocal takes on just the slightest "edge" to accentuate the lyrics, and as he does so....the most awesome set of vocal "aaahhh's," almost like "pleas of heartfelt pain" if you will, punctuate just how intense the story is getting, and we hear them for just (4) four very important, chilling measures.

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So both here, and on the second chorus, Frank is not only joined by Jonathan,

but Palm's voice is added to the mix, as well. Each vocal layer floats, one above the other, exact diction in-sync with one another, and this dynamic build not only moves the story towards a climactic point - it's just absolutely touching and oh, so gorgeous. (pictured: Jonathan Rayson/Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale)

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Frank artfully sings a short bridge -we hear a waterfall of vocal ooo's at one point, and then..... an effective pause........ a SECOND modulation, then suddenly..... those wonderful stacked voices are back, a bit more powerful and even more beautiful....Once that crowning point in the song has been reached, Jonathan and Palm's voices are no longer....Frank turns around the chorus with everyone's voices, and then Frank takes it out on his own, just as he introduces it - in a tender voice that tells the listener an entire story, in and of its own accord.

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Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you, when you hear Frank Rendo's newest song "DON'T LAUGH AT ME"- you will want to have it to listen to again and again. And, that can happen! I will let you know right here when it is

ready to be released, and just how you can go about ordering your own copy.

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To you, Frank - your talent is beyond measure. You have produced a truly moving and thought provoking song (again) using that awesome, awesome voice of yours. Your vision for the recording was spot-on. Nice job!

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And to you, Jonathan, Fred and Palm - this is yet another award-winning recording. It is so well done - most beautiful and each of you did an outstanding job.

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Stunning......simply, stunning! (Pictured: Jonathan Rayson/Frank Rendo/Fred Guarino)

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You can count on hearing more from me about Frank Rendo and his exquisite music!

~Martini

Photos courtesy Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale

Standing O for Mr. Rendo

Hello to all my Ramblings Regarding RENDO readers. A special treat for you today. Frank was recently interviewed by Pat Hogeboom, author and columnist for Great South Bay Magazine, a Long Island Publication. This article is from the April 2009 edition. Her column is entitled LUVPATS. It's a marvelous article, and I knew you all would enjoy reading it. Reprinted in its entirety, here is: (photo: Frank Rendo) Standing O for Mr. Rendo "Ok, so life today is darned hard. We worry, we kvetch and what we all need is to smile more, to have a rest from anxiety, to bolster our belief in ourselves and in the Most Significant Other, whatever our faith may be. We need to lighten our hearts, to relax with friends and just allow ourselves to be uplifted. I have a secret I want to share with you, my readers. We do have that opportunity right here on the South Shore of our own Long Island and we don't even have to watch American Idol. He is Frank Rendo, a truly gifted man of song; a professional musician and a man with a special mission of spiritual uplift through music. The wonderful news is that you can hear him at many venues all summer long. (photo left: Frank Rendo-Credit: Frank Rendo, Sr.) Frank has that smile and a welcoming personality as he shares his music with others....and that voice! Oh, the voice that makes you smile, gives a shiver to your soul, and touches your heart. He is our own local song man whom you will hear at concerts far and near, singing hymns, good gospel, and often thrilling musical show tunes, each with a message to lift us up and give us hope in ourselves and in our future. ~ This is music we love, without the lectures, or any sense of guilt. It is given with joy, just to those who hear him, and then we can listen to his wonderful CDs. He is a man with a mission. It isn't meant to convert people or to insult one group over another; it's to find joy in trust, love for our fellow man, presented where people can just have a good time. Frank is often performing gratis for a good cause that he believes in, such as the restoration of Oakdale's tiny St. John's church, or for Jesus Alive, the group that collects food for the needy. Since he is such a fine professional musician, he is more often performing for his livelihood at concerts all over the country including many sojourns to Europe where he is known in many places and is invited to return. ~ He began singing as most true musicians do, as a child, singing in choirs, both in church and in concert groups at school. He began to do plays as well and a great deal of community theatre so he is completely comfortable on the stage. He has performed in dozens of musicals, even playing Jesus in "Jesus Christ Super Star" but he has also appeared in commercials and TV shows. He honors his own choral teacher, Elizabeth Armstrong, now retired from Central Islip where he went to school. He can actually sight read and sight sing music, a rare skill. He began his own business in high school, making recordings and doing professional concerts. A college graduate, he also studied theology with his music, but it wasn't until later that he began to focus on the spiritual aspects of his songs. His two bands, Front Line and Epiphany, have traveled the USA, Europe and Israel as well. His own traveling concert is titled, "Frank Rendo: More Than A Concert." He has appeared at the Nassau Coliseum and Westbury Music Fair where he has headlined and co-produced the "One Night a Year" concert. ~ (photo: Frank Rendo - Credit: Frank Rendo, Sr.) This summer he will be on the South Shore at St. John's, Oakdale, sometime in June [Sunday, June 14, 2:00 p.m.] to help with their restoration, and in August [Sunday, August 23, 3:00 p.m.] he'll be in Bay Shore at the Band Shell, among many scheduled appearances. On Saturday, May 2, he will also be performing at his regular concert in East Northport. So, it's a bit off the South Shore but "Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven," [631] 262-1212, is the most unique musical venue I've ever experienced, and it doesn't hurt us to explore. It is a charming place on Larkfield Road that holds musical events every Saturday evening. Frank usually is there on the first Saturday of the month where his fans gather to hear him. Wait until you hear him sing, "A Place Called Hope," or the one that reduced me to tears, from Les Miserables, "Bring Him Home," that he sings for the troops. You will jump to your feet and cheer for him, begging for more, and he won't let you down. The man sings for two solid hours with two short breaks, when you can have coffee, or tea and a dessert and chat with total strangers who can't live without his uplift in their lives. Do I sound like one of them? That just might be the case. Find out more about him at ReverbNation.com/FrankRendo, or MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic. You can hear some of his music, too. His CDs, however, are real quality. Let your inner self find some peace with song. Once you hear him, you won't be able to say no to this man." ~ So.....there you have it! Don't you think that was nicely written? I certainly do, and I'm happy to have received a copy to be able to share with all of you. Pat Hogeboom IS a fan of Frank Rendo, and I believe she quite captures the essence of Frank in this article. His voice is one of those that once you hear it, you will never forget it - and you will never want to be without it available to you. I have seen Frank "perform" briefly once, but not in concert. I am awaiting that day, because for as much as I love this man's music, I know that watching him perform it will be a truly amazing experience. The videos I have seen show me that Frank is the "consummate performer/entertainer" , and his audiences will always get the "best" of him. ~ Bravo and Kudos to you, Frank!! I hope the summer is filled with Frank Rendo music for all of my readers, as well as those Long Islanders who can see these noted performances in person, along with the many more Frank will be doing. As a reminder, you can order any of Franks's CDs by writing to him at FrankRendo@Yahoo.com, or you can order them from www.cdbaby.com/cd/Rendo, or you can certainly e-mail me at bmjfan@mchsi.com, and I'll see to it your order gets to you, Post-haste. ~ Hmmm....the wonderous sounds of Summer enhanced with the beautiful music of Frank Rendo. Now I ask you....who could ask for anything more? ~ ~Martini

HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN???

Hello Frank Rendo Fans~

Martini, back to muse a bit with you this Easter Sunday about a wonderful CD I promised I would write about, way back when. It occurs to me that the time is overdue for me to talk about this one.

The CD? HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?! Though I was introduced to the indescribable talent of Frank Rendo via the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS CD and the recording

of that, HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN? is the first of Frank's contemporary Christian recordings that I listened to. By now, you all know me well enough to know that I didn't just listen to it - I listened, and listened and listened to it. It wasn't a task, by any stretch....it's just that good!

What I find amazing since I've been writing these blogs both about Frank, and about his current musical collaborator Palma Pascale (however, HOW CAN YOU SAY NO was made long before he met Palma), the thing that becomes startlingly clear from the first note to the last is that Frank, and Palma, and their fabulous recording engineer, Fred Guarino never fail to produce just awesome results in the form of the music. This CD of Franks is certainly no exception!

As I mentioned, Frank did this CD long before he met Palma, and Fred did not do the major recording here. Frank released this CD originally in 1991. It was recorded in various locales in New York, and parts of it were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel. He did, however, re-release it as a 15th Anniversary Edition in 2006. The CD was remastered and restored by Fred Guarino of TIKI Recording Studios, and, according to the liner notes, a few tracks were recorded at TIKI, as well, at that time.

I was not a bit surprised when I listened to this CD for the first time. As all of Frank's recordings have been, it's awesome. Each and every song has a uniqueness all its own, yet there is the same magnificent, smooth, dynamic, expressive voice of Frank Rendo on them all.

It's a fun listen, this CD. It begins with a song entitled O, HOW MUCH YOUR LOVE MEANS TO ME - a fast paced song, punctuated with an array of beautiful orchestration, and the message is very clear - "...God you are the way...God you are the light and I see Your shining face in plain

sight....O, how much your love means to me...."

Frank provides the backing vocals, as well as a synth bass and he also plays some keyboard on this one. A most talented individual, indeed.

I really like this song because Frank sounds like he's having a great time getting the story across here. The liner notes call this "A Modern Day Psalm." True enough. A well-done, fun listen. Rob Taormina's saxophone lines really pop, and add a lot of warmth to the piece. Frank's enthusiasm is apparent in this selection, and I think it's a super way to start off the wonderful collection found in this great CD.

"...I yield myself to you....Lord, have Your way in me...and make me what you said that I should be..." These lyrics are but one brief glimpse of the absolutely gorgeous David Ridgeway composition called HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME, our second selection on this compilation.

Frank's vocal has a "longing" quality in it to this writer's ear, as he sings this one. The melody is stunning, and it contains a gorgeous, beautifully executed suspension, that is repeated many times during the song, as Frank sings "...Have Your way in me...." Just really nice - and so effective.

The night I met Frank Rendo, almost two years ago in Bethpage, NY, he was not only singing but playing the keyboards as well. (see photo, above) At that time, I knew precious little about our Mr. Rendo, save that he had a voice I couldn't ever listen to enough - such handsome qualities in his voice - (one of his press pieces refers to his voice as "velvet and steel" - and that's a great way to talk about Frank's voice.....he does them both, well) - and he was referred to as "the real deal" by Palma Pascale - PLUS I'd learned how generous a man Frank truly is, at that point. I had a big smile on my face as I watched him play and sing that night at the church in Bethpage; and I found myself thinking that I shouldn't be surprised that Frank played the keyboards. I began, then, contemplating what else he might be musically adept at doing. I think it's safe to say his musical background is well-rounded, and he is a master of not only those fantastic "vocal chops," but of many instruments, as well. By now, I know that he is a producer, and a conductor, an actor, and he seems to be able to do whatever he puts his mind to - and do it well! From Christian to Country, and everything in between! (photo taken at St. Mark's Church, Bethpage, NY-October, 2007)

HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME is a beautiful ballad, and Frank certainly does it justice; the message is simple - "....and in fulfillment of Your will, I offer up my life in sacrifice in praise to You for all You've done for me...." And, so the lyric goes. A melodic testimony, if you will.

I mentioned "expression" earlier - Frank's ability to be expressive is quite notable. He and I talked about this at one point recently; his training as an actor, he believes, helps in this regard. Though I would agree with him, I think there's more - here's what I personally observe - it's Frank's complete sincerity that does the trick. The expression Frank is able to put into a song - the way he almost jumps off of the CD and is singing right in front of you - just for you - is due, in my opinion, in great part to the fact that he BELIEVES what he is singing. He LIVES what he is singing. He MEANS ...."Have Your Way In Me." Well, well done, Frank.

Oh boy! Another favorite and the music for this one was co-written by Frank, himself. It's called WAKE UP, PEOPLE! Frank collaborates on the music with Billy Christopher - Billy penned the lyrics to this one. I have a lot of fun with this one, and it makes me smile, each time it comes on my player. See...it begins with a bit of spoken dialogue. The phone rings, and a woman answers. It's an actor by the name of Tim Castle who is calling a woman named Heather Robertson, and the call sounds something like this:

RING - RING: (Woman answers) "* big sigh*" (this by Linda Sheedy - a real 2am desperation sigh!)

Burns: "Goooooooooood Morning, Ma'am!"

Woman: "Is it morning already?" (I love this next line)

Burns: "It's been morning all morning, Ma'am!"

Woman: "Oh no! You're not one of those telephone comediennes, are you?"

Burns: "No Ma'am. My name's Richard Burns - I'm hosting the new radio call-in show called 'It's Sunday Morning...So Why Aren't You In Church.' - It's Sunday Morning -So Why Aren't You In Church?"

Here's an interesting bit of detail I got from Frank about this conversation, in his own words: "During the dialogue at the beginning , all the woman talk is by Heather Castle, although the sigh is Linda Sheedy. When we cut the dialogue, we realized that the girl never actually says "hello" when she picks up the phone, and since Heather and Tim live in upstate NY (4 hours from where I live), I had Linda on hand at the time and she obliged with what we thought would be a good alternative. And, by the way, the dialogue was recorded on cassette, and the phone was a sample from Rick’s sister's telephone that had a REAL bell ring...which was becoming harder to find in 1991." I love to learn bits and pieces like this. The "Rick" Frank refers to is Rick Bieder. More on Rick, to come.

So.....just as Richard Burns begins to speak his last lines, the rhythm of WAKE UP, PEOPLE! begins to play. It's a true "gospel-rock" beat, and it's definitely an attention grabber. I like the crispness of all of the various instruments in this one...Frank adds tambourine, and a fantastic synth organ....not to mention, he does all of the back-up vocals. Now, I have to tell you, there are a lot of great backing vocals in this one - and they are HIGH! Honestly, if I hadn't known it was all Frank, I would have guessed that he had an actual full gospel choir of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses behind him.....it's that good. I was most impressed! It's awesome, and it's fun! The song has a wonderful message:

"...You reap what you sow - how well we all know that expression of days gone by~

But how many of you, if called for the harvest would find your seeds planted have died?

You sow and you sow, and isn't it so how the cares of this life weigh you down?

And then what you reap as you have fallen asleep is a rusted and powerless crown.

Wake up, people - there's a harvest of life to bring in.

There are seeds to be planted for we have been granted a life-giving love from our King!

Wake up, people - for there isn't much time left to lose.

We must get the word out to our sisters and brothers so they'll know the right way to chose..."

It's true, we won't know the day or the hour Christ is coming back - this song tells us, the listener, we need to be sure the seeds that we sow fall on ground that will allow them to grow - and we can spread the word to all that we know so they, too, will be ready!

Nice job on this one, Frank - and all who were involved. I know that Frank loves what he does - I've said it before, and will say it again - Frank was given a gift - an amazing talent for, and tremendous understanding of music - how to sing it - how to play it - how to direct it - and how to share it with others. Frank gives back for the blessing he was given, and shares the word of God in song with others. This album is a beautiful reminder of that.

I will return here and will muse more very soon about more of the 14 tracks that comprise HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN? There are many masterfully performed songs, and I want to give each one a place of their own.

As information, Frank's CDs can be purchased by contacting him at FrankRendo@yahoo.com, or certainly anyone can contact me, and I will happily get them ordered for you.

Until next time, then...thanks to Frank Rendo for an outstanding CD with gorgeous and well-done messages throughout, told to us with that incredible voice he uses so well....and that he shares with us!

Happy Easter Everyone~

~Martini

Photo Credits: Album cover portrait by Tess Steinkolk, NYC

Frank in concert was taken at Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven, East Northport, NY

Frank at piano, St. Mark's/Bethpage, NY: Tim San Paolo

The Frank Rendo WHLI Radio Interview

FRANK RENDO, RADIO INTERVIEW ON WHLI RADIO, LONG ISLAND NEW YORK, 12-23-08

The following is an interview conducted by Mr. Paul Richards of WHLI Radio in Long Island, NY. As you will read, Paul was very taken with this effort by Frank, and his collaborator, the lovely Palma Pascale. I have listened to the interview many times over, in order to get it transcribed......but just once straight through – and that time, couldn’t help but choke-up listening to it. Somehow, strangely, I feel like I traveled this road with both Frank and Palma, having heard some of the first tracks of this amazing album from the beginning, in 2006. Listening to Paul’s excitement about it, and Frank’s explanation of it….and as you will read, the interesting exchange between Paul and Palma regarding the CD…well, it tugged on my emotions in a big way….no one really understood why, but I do…. as I am so proud for both of these extraordinary artists that this CD has been such a success, and is so masterfully done. I'm also quite proud of the fact that I had the privilege of also being a part of it.....I couldn’t begin to know the kind of time it took to create this masterpiece, but I do know that every single note is in place….every instrument is “sweetening the right corner” and the “less is more” concept is at work here, beautifully! (Pictured above: Paul Richards and Frank Rendo)

Great credit, too, goes to master recording engineer and President of TIKI Recording Studios in Glen Cove, NY….Fred Guarino. Fred’s

artistry truly shows through in this compilation.

And now, the totally unabridged version of the wonderful interview conducted by Paul Richards with Frank Rendo, as was heard on WHLI Radio, December 23, 2008: PR: “WHLI on the day before Christmas Eve, December 23rd, 2008 and as promised, a very special hour begins right now. I am so excited to have Frank Rendo as our special in-studio guest here, following the 10:00 news. Good morning and Merry Christmas to my dear friend. It’s great to see you…it really, really is!” FR: “Good morning Paul Richards here at WHLI.” PR: “How have you been?” FR: “I’ve been really good, yes.”

PR: “Been busy?” FR: “Been busy with concerts this month and doing shopping…and doing the Christmas thing. LOVE IT! I love this time of year.” PR: “And you were upstate this weekend with this weather???” FR: “Yeah….” PR: “You’re a brave man!.” FR: “Well, they weren’t that brave….they cancelled two shows out of the three – I have to go back up next week…we rescheduled.” PR: “All right – it’s better than getting’ a refund!” (Both Laugh) PR: “It’s worth seeing Frank Rendo in concert.” FR: “Thank You.” PR: “I had that pleasure and privilege once in my lifetime and I will make sure I take advantage of additional future opportunities to see you sing. It’s a heart-warming experience to sit there and just take it all in. You leave with such a great feeling!” FR: “Oh, well that’s very kind of you – Thank you very much for saying that.” PR: “It’s obvious that you love it and enjoy it.” FR: “Well, yes….it’s the love of my life.” PR: “How long have you been doing this?” FR: “Well, I always tell people I’ve been doing it all my life, but ummmm…I’ve been doing it professionally probably for almost 30 years.” PR: “Ummm Hmmm – All right!”

FR: “I started out as – you know, like….a two year old!” (laughs) PR: “All right – and how long has the recording career been in existence?”

FR: “Actually, I started doing THAT in 1978.” PR: “Really??” FR: “Yeah – so I guess this is 30 years of THAT.” PR: “Wow!” FR: “But, I kind of came into my own about 25 years ago, and recorded my first big project in 1991 – the ‘How Can You Say No To This Man’ CD.” PR: “Which is a great album – I have that album…” FR: “Thank You.” PR: “…and it’s a marvelous album – in fact, we play, as a part of the regular WHLI rotation, one of the songs from that album. It’s an amazing album.” FR: “Well, thank you.” PR: “AND, you have future endeavors, in fact – you k

now what? I saw you once sing a song at that concert that I was at, and I’m trying to think of the name….” FR: “DON’T LAUGH AT ME!” PR: “Okay….” FR: “That was the one!” PR: “No………….was it?” FR: “Yeah, cause you told me if I could track that, If I’d record that – that you would play it and I haven’t …..I’ve failed to do that, and I will be doing that in January.” PR: “Will You?” FR: “Yes” PR: “So, we have something to look forward to in the near future from Frank Rendo.” FR: “Yes, yes!” PR: “All right, now – of course it’s the Christmas season and I wanna wish you the merriest of Christmases.” FR: “Thank You.” PR: This has taken on a life of its own. What I mean by “this”, because this is radio, and they can’t see me – I’m holding up a copy of your Christmas Album called REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, which I was in receipt of a little bit too late last year to make it a part of the WHLI Christmas presentation – But not THIS year! We are making up for it this year, for sure.” FR: “Thanks.” PR: “Tell us a little about how the idea was born for REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS.” FR: “It’s interesting how it happened, because I’d been wanting to do a Christmas album for a very long time, and my collaborator, Palma Pascale, worked with m

e on this and we originally started it out as a piano vocal project, and then it kinda took on a life of its own and we worked on the album for about a year and a half.” PR: “Right” FR: “And fully orchestrated it – Palma did a great job with arranging it and performing on that, too – and that’s how it came about. The title track was a song that she had written for a Broadway show – she wrote two songs on there – and I sang songs that I love to do and that meant a lot to me through the years, and stuff that I’ve done in other Christmas concerts through the years….finally, you know, tracking them for myself.” PR: “It is apparent when the average person listens to REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS the hard work that went into just the song selection itself – You take a look at the 14 tracks – you go….somebody had their thinking cap on when it came to song selection on this thing.” FR: “Thanks.”

PR: “Whadda ya say we start with the title track?” FR: “Absolutely!” PR: "REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS….Frank Rendo @WHLI." PLAYS TITLE TRACK: “REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS” PR: “That is from the Broadway musical called WHAT THE HELL, NELL?” FR: “Right!” (laughs) PR: (laughing heartily) “and written by, ah…..how do you pronounce her name?” FR: “Palm-a Pas-cal(e) – who dueted with me on that song.” PR: “And she wrote that song?” FR: “Yes, she wrote it.” PR: “We are with Frank Rendo – a great artist from this absolutely extraordinary album, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, which we just played the title track from. And, we’ll be with Frank probably for the better part of this hour. What we’ll do Frank, is take a quick break, and come back with the other song Palma wrote – and it touches me deeply. This song….(contemplates)….when I sit back – and I get a lot of comments on this song – this one and another one which we will talk about later on in the show…..this one coming up after the break….uh….I’m a big boy, and I don’t cry very easily – but if I’m here by myself in the studio, and this song is on, (which it’s on A LOT on WHLI this Christmas Season)….and nobody’s looking through that window you see there…?”

FR: (laughs) “yeah…” PR: “I get a lump in the throat – a little moist in the eye, and that’s how moving the next song is.” FR: “Awww….that’s nice.” PR: “We’ll talk about it right after the break." STATION BREAK PR: “Ten twenty – twenty past 10 o’clock – it’s a Tuesday, the day before Christmas Eve. Here at @ WHLI I’m Paul Richards here with our very special guest in the studio, Mr. Frank Rendo, and again, good morning and thanks for coming out.” FR: “Thank YOU.”

PR: “Have any trouble finding the joint?” FR: “No…just some pothole roving repairs on the Southern Parkway, so…” PR: “You worked your way around them?” FR: “I did….got through, yes.” PR: “A little zig – a little zag…” (both laugh) FR: “Got here in time!” PR: “We spoke on the phone a couple days ago and lo and behold, about a half hour after that, Palma called me.” FR: “Yes, that’s what I heard.” PR: “And, we talked a little bit, and among the many things, one that we talked about is this next song for the album that we’re gonna hear.”

FR: “Yeah….” PR: “Called ‘Much Less Than Christmas’.” FR: “Yes.” PR: “And she surprised me – but rather than me giving it away, tell the audience what she had to say about the song and who it was originally intended for….” FR: “Well, Palma was a composer for the Carpenters, and this song was written for them. Karen, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to record it because of her untimely death – so, umm….it was just sitting – waiting to be discovered and when she offered it to me….when we were working on this album….I said YES, and….let’s do it the way, perhaps, they would have done it. So, we kind of have that Carpenteresque flavor to it. But the song is very apropos for me because we’re in war time, and it talks about people who aren’t with us right now – or are no longer with us. And we kind of

miss them – like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas" was during World War II. I kind of sing it with that longing.” PR: “Yeah…and it’s a…..the first time I played this song on WHLI, I told the audience it’s not the happiest Christmas song on record, but it’s moving and its beautifully performed, by the way.” FR: “Thank You.” PR: “It’s just all four minutes and 32 seconds – is just – you take it in….and you make sure you digest every little piece of this one cause musically, as a piece of music, it is superb! It is superb!!! Written by Palma Pascale, and it’s on the album REMEMB ERING CHRISTMAS, which by the way is available – I know CDBaby.com has it…” FR: “Right – The Christian Corner has it – The Christian Bookstore in Bethpage. But also, me directly; if you email me at FrankRendo@Yahoo.com.” PR: “All right – give that address out once again…” FR: FrankRendo@Yahoo.com. PR: “All right – it’s a great album to own – it’s also a great album to give as a gift.” FR: laughs……”Thanks!” PR: “It’s also a wonderful stocking stuffer. And this is one of my favorite pieces from the album; so without further adieu…..if you haven’t heard this yet, and a lot of you have cause we really have been playing this piece…..take a listen to “Much Less Than Christmas.” This is Frank Rendo….” (pictured above: Palma Pascale) PLAYS: “MUCH LESS THAN CHRISTMAS”

PR: “WHEW! You should be mighty proud of THAT piece.” FR: (chuckles) PR: “That is such a great song – and hats off to Palma, too, who did a lot of the instrumentation. On the liner notes you say 99% of the instruments?” FR: “Yeah, she did – I mean – maybe I played some percussion and stuff like that, but she is a brilliant musician and a genius songwriter.” PR: “Yeah, very, very good. Okay, now we gotta cheer up the people too, because as I said that’s a tear-jerker, that song. This one here, the Sinatra-Crosby classic – that was a tough chore to handle, but you pulled it off!” FR: “That was great fun to do – I actually dueted with Fr. Charles Mangano and his sister Laurie Mangano and Palma did the back-ups, as well. We had great fun with this one.” PR: “And the results are just shining on it. This is a wonderful rendition of something you all know – ah…’We Wish You The Merriest.” Again, from REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, Frank Rendo….” PLAYS: “WE WISH YOU THE MERRIEST” PR: “Wow! Frank, dueting with Fr. Charles Mangano – Laurie Mangano on t

he track – Palma Pascale; Les Brown’s classic, ‘We Wish You The Merriest’ from REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS. It is 10:38 – we’re back with Frank Rendo here at WHLI…I’m Paul Richards, and again – congratulations my man, on what I feel is the holiday album of the year.” FR: “Oh! That’s wonderful.” PR: “It’s just a wonderful, wonderful thing. And again, we’re gonna play a song here which further demonstrates the…..ah……the thought that went into the song selection. How did you decide to (muses)….hmmmmm…..I think I’ll take something from a Disney animated feature and put it in my Christmas album?” (laughs) “Tell me about that.” FR: “Interestingly, I had been singing ‘God Help The Outcasts’ for a few years and that song always struck a chord with my audiences – so, when we had the opportunity to do this record…” PR: “Yep..” FR: “….I said – you know, I should just add it to this because, you know, what a better time to sing this message that’s about loving and reaching out to those in need?” PR: “Now this is the season for that kind of message.” FR: “Right! So that’s why we put it on.”

PR: “And again, the performance of the song – well….there’s not a stiff on this album! You know that, right?” FR: “Thank you.” PR: There’s 14 gems in this package and we urge people to, ah…..if you have to buy ONE Christmas album this year; make it this one – you’ll never regret the decision. It’s available at CDBaby.com and also by emailing you at …..’ FR: FrankRendo@Yahoo.com. PR: “ And here, from the Disney animated version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is ‘God Help The Outcasts’.”

PLAYS: “GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS.” PR: “My man, you put your HEART and SOUL into this project, did you NOT?” FR: (chuckles) “Yes…yes, I did.” PR: And, I noticed this took the better part of a year to do cause, right in the liner notes, ladies and gentlemen, when you open up the booklet – in fact (laughs)….my mother used to be fond of a saying: “A month of Sundays.” Well, this took a year and a month. October 6, 2006 until November 8th, 2007 – you guys worked on this project.” FR: “Right…yeah – 13 months.” PR: “And it SHOWS! Thirteen months to come up with 14 glorious songs on a wonderful Christmas album.” FR: “AND, brilliantly engineered by Fred Guarino at TIKI Recording in Glen Cove.” PR: “Yeah, he adds excellent production values all around….this IS the album to get.” FR: “Thank You.” PR: “For me, with Ms. Pascale – it says 99% of the instruments – well, here are some of them…..piano, electric piano, harpsichord, bass, solo violin and cello, string sections and string effects, clarinet, flute, oboe, English horn, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone sax, harpsichord, xylophone, vibes, B-4 organ, accordion, drums…” FR: (chuckles) PR: (cont.) “…and on and on – the chime bells – wait a minute, chime bell tree – what is a chime bell tree?” FR: “It literally, physically looks like a tree that you hit, and it does all that tinkling.” PR: “Okay…..triangle, tambourine….”Madona mi!” and human voice effects…

.” (laughs) FR: “Yeah, I just sang – that’s all I did.” PR: “That’s all you did, huh?” All right….ah….this song here was recorded by just about anybody – I mean….almost everybody records a version of ‘We Need a Little Christmas’…..when I heard YOUR version…….This actually, to me, portrayed the meaning of the song – the meaning of why you need a little Christmas – because you spell it out by painting a picture – it’s as if it were a portrait and then, of course, it goes into a jubilant thing…in all its splendor and glory…..you get the effect of the song as intended when it was composed. From the beginning you actually say “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS WHY, FOR CRYIN’ OUT LOUD, WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS.” And…this is the track that leads off the album.” FR: “Right – It’s the opening.” PR: “You first open this up, take the shrink wrapping off – put it in your CD player and listen to Frank Rendo on his album REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS. This is the first track you hear….” PLAYS: “WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS” PR: “And you certainly give it to us with this album. You tell us why we need it, and you get 13 songs after this that really give you….well, it just sums up Christmas beautifully.” FR: “Oh! Thank you.” PR: “So….what are your future plans? What are you gonna be doing?

Where are you gonna be?”

FR: “Where am I gonna be??! Come January? Well, I’m always appearing at Samantha’s Li’l Bit of Heaven the first Saturday of every month…” PR: “Right.” FR: “And that’s in East Northport. It’s kind of a coffee-house situation – I’m always in concert there. And, other things are kinda up in the air for the moment.” PR: “I see – now we can catch you in various churches…” FR: “Right.” PR: “Are there night time concerts?”

FR: “Yeah, I do a lot of concerts through the year.” PR: “Well if you can keep in touch with the itinerary, there are a lot of people that are going to want to check you out.” FR: “Anybody who wants to can e-mail me and I’ll put them on the mailing list – FrankRendo@Yahoo.com.” PR: “Why didn’t I think of that?” (both chuckle) “You could be the host – want my job? How about my shirt – wanna buy my shirt?” (laughs)…..”We’ll be right bac

STATION BREAK PR: “This hour went too fast!” FR: “Yeah, I know…..wow!” PR: “We began at ten o’clock, now it’s five till eleven….time’s flying – it’s what happens when you’re having a lot of fun, lilstening to just a glorious project known as REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, which, by the way, a lot of people have been call

ing and asking how to get it – and the easiest way in your opinion and probably the way to save a few pennies is by e-mailing you?” FR: “Yeah, and I can get it to you sooner, I think. FrankRendo@Yahoo.com is my e-mail address.” PR: “Right, and mention that store in Bethpage again…” FR: “The Christian Corner, on Broadway in Bethpage – they also carry it.” PR: “Okay…plus of course on the Internet at CDBaby.com, which is a great little Internet record store, by the way.” FR: “It IS, especially for independent artists like me.”

PR: “They have very fair, reasonable prices and quick service.” FR: “Yes.”

PR: “Quick…I’m tellin’ ya! All right – regarding REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS – track three (3) – I never heard of the man who wrote this – I’m looking at this, uh…credits on the album right now….the song is credited to a Michael Card. C-A-R-D. Do you know who Michael Card IS?” FR: “Yes, I do…He is a brilliant songwriter in the contemporary Christian music field, and he loves to do story songs. He’s also a theologian. And, he wrote this song called Joseph’s Song, which is an extraordinary thing, and I’ve been singing it for many years. So

, Palma, who was my collaborator on this project, said: “Well, that’s one of the first ones we’re gonna do” cause she loved it so much, so….we did it.” PR: “Yeah, when she called me, she related to me that when she first heard you, she knew she had to work with you. The FIRST TIME she heard you, she said “I have to work with this man.” FR: (chuckles) “Well, it was good fortune for both of us.” PR: “So…Michael Card wrote this?” FR: “He did! It’s a story that comes from Joseph’s perspective of what it would have been like for him to raise the son of God as a child in his household. It’s something we never really think about….what that would be like….to be a parent to JESUS.” PR: “I’d never thought about it until I saw a production in Lancaster County – it was a great production – a very elaborate production; in fact, bigger than anything you’d see on Broadway.” FR: “Hmmmm….yes….” PR: “So big, that I don’t even think Radio City Music Hall is big enough to house this thing…..and I kiknd of got a little perspective about Joseph, watching that production.” FR: “Okay…” PR: “And that’s been a few years ago. Until, of course, THIS album came along and, before we hear it, and we’re just seconds away from hearing it, I must tell you that, as far as audience response, from our listeners – this is the highlight of the album.”

FR: “Oh, wow!” PR: “In their eyes…” FR: “That’s very nice.” PR: “It IS great – it’s beyond great – it’s tremendous!! This is….Joseph’s Song…..Frank Rendo from his album, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, on WHLI. (pictured above: Frank Rendo and Palma Pascale)

PLAYS: “JOSEPH’S SONG” PR: “Wow! There’s that chime tree you were talking about.” FR: “Yep! That’s the bell tree.” PR: (laughs) “What a song!” FR: “Yes…..” PR: “What a song – Joseph’s Song.” FR: “Joseph’s Song….Michael Card.” PR: “It’s GREAT! Now, here we are at the top of the hour – so since we’ve got our traffic report and CNN headline news now, I’m gonna ask you a mighty big favor, Frank Rendo…”

FR: “Yes?” PR: “I’m gonna ask you to hang for just a little big – till after the news because I do wanna get to an extraordinary version of O Holy Night!” FR: “Sure.” PR: “Can you do that?” FR: “Absolutely!” STATION BREAK/CNN HEADLINE NEWS

PR: “It’s nine minutes after the eleven o’clock hour – one hour to go towards the Joe Satter show on this Christmas Eve …..I guess it’s Christmas Eve eve?” FR: “Yes, it is!” PR: “And a Merry Christmas to you, again!”

FR: “Merry Christmas!” PR: Thanks for hanging out overtime.”

FR: “I’m having a great time.”

PR: “It’s kinda like a football game…..gonna play a little overtime!”

FR: “Studio time goes – like an hour goes like in five minutes!”

PR: “It’s amazing…it’s amazing! So…a lot of people wanna know where and how they can get REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS – this extraordinary Christmas album that you did. First of all, thank you for MAKING this. I’d like to personally thank you for making this product.” FR: “And thank YOU for playing it as much as you do – such great support. Very generous.” PR: “You know what? Good music is good music! Let’s face it – so how are some of the ways you can get this thing?” FR: “Well, you could e-mail me at FrankRendo@Yahoo.com. PR: “All right, and of course we should mention about CDBaby.com, cause they’re a really great, great store – very reputable, by the way.”FR: “Yes, and they’re very supportive of independent artists like myself.”

PR: “All right!! Now, we’re done with the business…..let’s go to what I can the granddaddy of all Christmas Carols.” FR: “Oh, my favorite one.” PR: “Yeah, I - - you know what? A LOT of people I think have told me when it comes to Christmas songs….and how many countless thousands of Christmas songs there are…….a lot of people’s favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night!” FR: “That’s the one!” PR: “It really is….and you do it justice – BEYOND justice.”

FR: “Oh, thank you.”

PR: "This is like a majestic rendition of O Holy Night!” FR: “Thank You.” PR: “From the album REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS…..Frank Rendo…..O Holy Night!” PLAYS: “O HOLY NIGHT” (pictured above: Frank Rendo)

PR: “Wow! As I say, once in a while on this show….”Madona, Mi!” (lots of laughter from both) PR: “Oh wow! All right…..REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS…again, you can e-mail Frank at FrankRendo@Yahoo.com?” FR: “Yes, that’s right.”

PR: “And that little store in Bethpage has it?”

FR: “Yes, The Christian Corner, on Broadway.”

PR: “And CDBaby.com has it too?” FR: “Yes, they do!” PR: “Frank – thank you so much – have a wonderful merry and blessed Christmas.”

FR: “And you as well.”

PR: “And, thank you for joining me, here.”

FR: “Thank YOU for your generosity and your kindness.”

PR: “Wow, how an hour and 18 minutes can fly by – filled with beautiful music, though! FR: “Thank You.”

PR: “It’s just certainly a Christmas album for the ages – it’s GREAT!” We love it! FR: “Awww….Thank you.” PR: “A permanent, annual part of the WHLI Christmas celebration.”

FR: “That’s incredible – thank you.”

PR: “Hey…have a safe holiday season.” FR: “You, too!” There you have it, my readers – a really great interview by Paul Richards of WHLI. Of course, you could guess this, but I wrote to Paul just after hearing this interview for the first time. He was quite gracious, and wrote back, even though he was a bit under the weather at the time. He told me Frank was a great artist, and a friend of WHLI, and that REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS was a real favorite there, too. He spoke quite highly of Frank! Hmmm….I’d wonder why………….but I already KNOW! Until my next installment…..be safe, and may God Bless you all with the wonderful music by Frank Rendo! It WILL bless you!

Musically Yours, ~Martini

Coming Soon to Ramblings Regarding RENDO

Watch for a transcribed version of Frank's wonderful radio interview, done on December 23, 2008, with Paul Richards. You will enjoy reading this interview, which will give you even more insight into Frank's fabulous CD, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, with good friend and unbelievable talent, Palma Pascale.

You won't want to miss this!

~Martini

Hello everyone - Wanted to let you know that my multi-talented friends Palma Pascale and Frank Rendo will be appearing in a JESUS ALIVE Event on Sunday, March 22nd at the Bay Shore Assembly of God, Bay Shore, NY. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. No ticket charge, however, a free will offering will be taken.

Frank Rendo (performer and MC), Palma Pascale, The Jesus Alive Dancers & Choir will all be on hand in this concert to raise money for the Jesus Alive organization which feed the hungry on Long Island. It will be a spectacular night with sterling talent headlining the show. Please bring non-perishable food to help feed the needy. CDs will be available for participating artists.

I SINCERELY HOPE EVERYONE IN THE AREA CAN MAKE IT!!!! What a great event and a great cause!!!

Enjoy! ~Martini

"...We wish you the merriest, the merriest, the merriest, the merriest..... New Year!..." -

For this Les Brown composition, "We Wish You The Merriest," Frank enjoys the additional voices of brother and sister team and good friends, Father Charles and Laurie Mangano as they blend voices in this rousing, straight-ahead swing tune. The song is flavored by the trumpet sounds of Glenn Drewes, talented Tony Tedesco on the drums, and Palma, who is playing and singing, and who arranged this fun, swinging Christmas song. This one is a duet with Frank and Fr. Charles, and it has the outstanding vocal embellishments of both Laurie and Palma.

(top photo:Frank Rendo - second photo, Laurie Mangano & Frank Rendo) - Tony Tedesco really "cooks" on this one, as only he can. His touch is so great on everything I've ever heard him on - never trying to be a "showy" player, rather Tedesco is a "tasteful" player. His work is so well executed. (pictured: Tony Tedesco).

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Glenn Drewes basically plays several different trumpet parts - all with himself. His overdubbing makes him sound like an entire trumpet section, and that, in part, is due to the amazing engineering of Tiki Recording Studio's owner, Fred Guarino. Drewes' work is executed masterfully - each part incredibly in-sync with the next, and the next, and the next!!! Nicely done, Glenn. (pictured: Glenn Drewes & Fred Guarino)

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Palma adds a lot of spice to this one, as well. First, her arrangement is stellar - what can I tell you? The woman "swings." There are several parts being sung by several people - some are singing the melody line while others sing harmony to that melody line. Yet others are singing counter-melodies in harmony; perhaps a shoobie-doo or maybe a doo-wah here and there. The song just swings and so does everyone involved!

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So, how do I describe it? The way it's arranged, it's a very vocally layered song. It builds dynamically as the vocal layers are added as this passage is sung: "...We wish you the merriest, the merriest, the merriest, the merriest New Year..."

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Instrumentally, as the song starts, we hear the drums, a bit of rhythm guitar, and the dynamics of the trumpet(s), along with those great vocals.

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As I said, this song is really a duet between Frank and Father Charles. They throw the lines back and forth to each other while Palma and Laurie add the frills.

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At one point, the song jumps into 3/4 time, and the vocals here are even more playful than before. Some interesting backing vocals that seem to emphasize the time signature change.

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A neighing horse sound (played by Glenn), leads back into the swing feel, and this one goes out after a rousing tag, where again we have a fun build of voice over voice, and a finale that gives this writer a "theatrical" feeling. A well-done, well delivered "fun" song amidst a CD of beautifully sung Christmas ballads, that tell the truly important stories of the birth of Jesus Christ, and His family here on earth. Nicely done, everyone!!!

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It is most difficult for me to choose a favorite on this CD, in a way. That is....there is nothing on this entire compilation that I don't like, or that I would classify as "filler." If I was forced to try and choose a musical favorite, it would have to be the next selection - a Palma Pascale original composition entitled "Much Less Than Christmas."

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This is one of the very first "roughs" that I received in 2006 when Frank and Palm began working together on REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS. I knew then only that Palm had composed it, but few other details. It was also my "introduction" if you will, to the incredible vocal styling of one 'Frank Rendo'! (Also...bit of trivia, here - this track was almost completed when my wife and I visited Long Island in the Fall of 2007...I got to record this song (just for fun) with Frank's track...how generous these people are. Truly, a highlight for me)!

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I know now, that "Much Less Than Christmas" was written in 1973, and was intended, actually, for the Carpenters to record. Awwww....too bad that never happened. Never fear, however - Frank and Palma put a definite Carpenteresque feel to this arrangement, and it is gorgeous. (pictured: Palma Pascale)

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The song is a ballad with a lovely message:

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"....If this is Christmas, why do I feel this? Why don't I look for a tree?

Why does the tinsel seem more artificial than it ever seemed to be?

It's something you wait for all year long....and now that it's here, the feeling's all wrong!

It seems like very much less than Christmas than I have ever known. Than I have ever known..."

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This rubato intro sets the stage for our story pretty clearly, don't you agree? The song is tinged with sadness about the fact that the storyteller is not with the one he loves. (Frank tells me when he introduces the song at a concert... "I tie in the fact that so many of our loved ones are overseas right now involved in military action, much like during WWII, when the great songs of longing where composed...and I liken this one to "I'll Be Home For Christmas," since it has the same feel to me. People parted for whatever reason over the holidays). -

"....If I could be with the one I wait for - Christmas would hold the love that God created it for..."

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A single, soft string, which builds to a nice level, begins the song and that lone string is soon coupled with beautiful electric piano. An oboe enters several measures in, adding a warmth and a color and a celestial sounding harp plucks a lovely arpeggio chord to a dramatic ritard. The rolled cymbal crescendos are a perfect touch of drama, and they enhance the piece, though used sparingly, in all the best spots.

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The beautiful Carpenteresque-sounding backing harmonies really bring the song to life for me. Beautiful ooos and aaahhhs frame brilliantly the perfect vocal of Frank Rendo. Ooofah! He's SO good! Palm incorporates some vox voices into her instrumental mix, and this allows for a real big "choir" effect, which is a cool addition.

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"...If I should buy things, why can't I find things with meaningful thought wrapped inside?

Nothing I'd give or I'd get holds the promise of making me feel satisfied.

This is the time you want to make last...now that it's here, it's going so fast!

And, it feels like very much less than Christmas than I have ever known....."

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The backing vocals are beefed-up as the strings lead us into the bridge, with its thought provoking lyric:

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"...Maybe this is how God feels on His day, when seeing how His people have forgotten Him.

All I know is I'm so low, no matter where I look or go, I can see (ritard) I can touch (ritard more)...but I can't really feel too much..."

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I just LOVE it!!! A well-timed modulation now brings us into our final verse, complete with those outstanding backing harmonies, and a brilliantly executed suspension (you know by now how those suspensions thrill me, when done well - and this one is)! (pictured: Frank Rendo & Palma Pascale)

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"...Not enough wrapping...not enough ribbon to hide what I have in my heart.

How can I open the present I'm missing without tearing myself apart...?"

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(I have to tell you here that that last bit of the lyric is my favorite of this piece - I think Palma writes these lyrics so cleverly).

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I get hit by that proverbial "chill factor" listening to this one. Frank's voice is so perfect for this sort of ballad - he sings it with such warmth and beauty - it seems to just "glow!" The arrangement is stunning and the backing vocals and instrumentation, as always, compliment Franks striking interpretation of this Palma Pascale original.

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"...It feels like very much less than Christmas, and I am SO alone. I wish that you'd come home..."

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Truly, a masterpiece!

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Oh! Alright then, they are, each and every song, a favorite in their own wonderful Christmas style..... okay? Well, I must be honest, cause this next selection is a favorite, as well! (Funny, but I just checked the other writings of REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, and found that Joseph's Song was my absolute favorite! So see, EACH one is a masterpiece, in and of itself).

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The spectacular SOMEDAY, is next in the line-up. Never were any more beautiful, sweet, perfect lyrics penned to tell this story. It can be performed by either male or female, and the story is as beautiful one way as another.

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Recall "Joseph's Song" - a lovely rendition offered to us by our Mr. Rendo a bit earlier. I'm reminded a bit of it with this piece, because it is told from Joseph's perspective. SOMEDAY is also expertly delivered, and with such emotion...such intense feeling, that it brings that familiar "lump" to my throat and those white-hot tears to my eyes. I have repeatedly told Frank that his intimate reading of this one just grabs, and won't let go! And, there are always tears.

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Palma does this one with a minimal amount of instrumentation. I can hear that the piano has center stage, with cameo appearances by a cello, clarinet, viola, and a flute - each having their own "say" as they enhance the smooth, broken chords being played behind Frank's powerful vocal.  There is, at one point, a beautiful swell of a rolling, crashed cymbal, followed by the entire orchestra of a beautiful choir of strings, emphasizing the storyline so dramatically.  Between the two of these talented individuals, they have arranged this one exquisitely.  

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Sandi Patty has recorded and performed this song, and she, of course, delivers it flawlessly, as per usual. Her interpretation is of course, from Mary's point of view; Frank's from Joseph's perspective. The story goes like this:

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"...Someday, when this night is over...and the star has faded...and the angels fly.

I will look at You with wonder...dreaming of this first night when I heard You cry.

Someday, You'll take your tiny fingers and with just a touch will...will cause the blind to see.

Someday, You will walk with strangers, but tonight I'll rock You....stay a while with me..."

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A modulation is executed here, then:

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"....Someday, they will call You Savior - hope of all the people...light and life divine.

Someday, you will speak the words and touch the hearts of many, as you now touch mine.

You will speak in love and wisdom...prison doors will open...we all will be set free.

Someday, You will walk among us...but tonight I'll rock you... stay a while with me, my son...

Let me rock you, stay awhile with me..."

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Oh my goodness, friends - this one will reach into your heart and tug! So poignantly sung by Frank, and so carefully arranged by Palma, this stunning performance, heartfelt and elegantly executed with a rubato feel throughout for maximum effect gives us a look from yet another angle of Mary and Joseph; and it certainly gives me yet a clearer understanding of what might have been going through their minds and hearts on that first Christmas night so long, long ago. -

"...let me rock you..............stay a while with me!..." -

O, HOLY NIGHT - (Cantique de Noel) is a well-known Christmas Carol composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam, to the French poem "Minuit Chretiens" by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet. According to Wikipedia, O, HOLY NIGHT has become "a standard modern carol for solo performance, with an operatic finish." It was translated to English in 1855. This particular arrangement is copyrighted by Pasland Music, Inc., Palma's publishing company, since the song itself is considered "Public Domain."

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The carol has been recorded by artists ranging from Bing Crosby to today's "Point of Grace." I think it's safe to say that the majority of artists who perform at Christmas time has undoubtedly sang or played O, HOLY NIGHT at one point or another in their career.

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This song is opulently orchestrated both with instruments and voices, and of course, Frank sings this famous carol with his usual flair. It is stunning, and Frank has no problem reaching those "operatic" notes - seems as easy as 1...2...3! Brilliant!!

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Our next selection, the memorable "God Help The Outcasts" (from the Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame) was first heard by Frank when one of his younger vocal students brought it to her voice lesson, wanting to learn it as a solo. It was one of those songs that immediately captured Frank from that very first "hear," as it were. Frank learned the song and incorporated it into his shows as a piano/vocal number.

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Good friend and musical director/partner Palma Pascale knew of Frank's penchant for the song (as he tells me she heard him sing it a LOT)! So, Palm gifted Frank with the remarkably beautiful, fully orchestrated "track" you hear on this CD. What an awesome gift that was!!!

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Frank recalled to me that he sings this song at almost every single concert he performs, no matter what time of year. I asked him specifically why he had included it on this, a Christmas album, and his response was this: "I felt the song had such a universal theme, and such a wonderful Christmas message as well - (this time of year: the homeless, the lost, the hungry...the outcasts) that I decided to put it with this collection."

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Well, BRAVO to you for doing so, Frank! And, big knowing nods to you, Palm. This is not a selection most would be wise enough to include in a Christmas collection, though it certainly works quite well.

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About the actual recording here - Frank's reading is somewhat haunting. I can tell, as the listener, that this is an important message being conveyed - one that comes from the heart and soul of our performer. Frank's "plea" for God to help the outcasts is very much like a fervent prayer - one that is unpretentious, and most important. Following are the full lyrics to this work:

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"...I don't know if You can hear me - or if You're even there.

I don't know if you will listen, to this humble prayer.

They tell me I am just an outcast - I shouldn't speak to You.

Still, I see your face and often wonder....were You an outcast, too?

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God help the outcasts, hungry from birth - seeking the mercy they don't find on earth.

The lost and forgotten, they look to You, still. God, help the outcasts, or nobody will.

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I ask for nothing - I can get by, but I know so many, less lucky than I.

God help the outcasts, the poor and down-trod - I thought we all were the children of God.

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I don't know if there's a reason why some are blessed, some not.

But still the few you seem to favor - they fear us, flee us....try not to see us.

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God help the outcasts, the tattered, the torn...seeking the answer to why they were born.

The winds of misfortune have tossed them about - You made the outcasts - don't cast them out.

Poor and unlucky - the weak and the odd - I thought we all were the children of God...."

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Like each of the other important stories told within this outstanding Christmas compilation, God Help the Outcasts sheds light for us, the listener, on a new piece of the big-picture, as the children of God. A well-rounded set of lessons have been shared with us throughout the entire offering. What an awesome gift we've been given!

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You will enjoy God Help The Outcasts, I assure you. It's a heart rendering lyric, so engagingly done by Frank - and so resplendently orchestrated by Palma. Outcasts and others alike - it's true....we all are the children of God!

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A staple on my Christmastime movie list is the 1954 classic, WHITE CHRISTMAS, with music composed by Irving Berlin. The title song is another "tried and true" Christmas song for musicians all over the world to perform during the season. In the film, the original introduction written for this song was NOT used. I first heard it when it was recorded by the Carpenters, on their very first Christmas album. Frank includes it here, as well. Such a great intro:

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"...The sun is shining, the grass is green - the orange and palm trees sway.

There's never been such a day in Beverly Hills, LA.

But, it's December the 24th....and I'm longing to be up North...."

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A bit of trivia about the movie, if you will indulge me. Vera Ellen, one of the "Haynes Sisters" actually sang only TWO (2) notes throughout the entire movie; just two. She sang those as the quartet exits the train after having arrived in Pine Tree, VT, where they reprise the beginning of the song "Snow." So, for the fun song she did as a duet with her on-screen "sister," Rosemary Clooney, she lip-synced the part, which was overdubbed and also sung by Rosemary Clooney. I dunno....I thought that was some cool information about this old movie that I never tire of watching, season after season. Most interesting, me thinks.

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For those of us listening to this CD, Frank and Palma combine two of the highly familiar songs of the film: White Christmas and Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep). Another genre - another completely different sort of feel here; and it is done impeccably, as each of the rest have been.

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"...I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow..."

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Frank's most handsome, full voice so smoothly "croons" to us of his longing for a White Christmas, with an understated and lovely piano, only, accompaniment by Palma.

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As they segue into "Count Your Blessings" they keep that alluring "simplicity" of piano and vocal only; except that there isn't anything "simple" about either Frank's fabulous vocals, or Palma's beautifully woven arrangement of broken chords played so expertly behind him. Frank tells this thought provoking story beguilingly. This is such a captivating way to conclude the CD, with the classicality of piano and voice, only. BRAVO!!! Well, well done, all.

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REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS is, by far, my most favorite Christmas CD out there. My hat is off to Frank Rendo for the loving interpretations with that tremendous voice of his; to Palma Pascale for her genius at arranging, orchestrating, composing and her beautiful singing - and, last but certainly NOT least, to Fred Guarino for his accomplished "knack" at putting all of these quality pieces together, into one overall incredible package. (pictured R: Fred Guarino - L: Frank Rendo)

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As you have read, this well-crafted treasury of songs and the stories told will, beyond question, stir your heart and soul and you will find yourself filled to overflowing with Christmas love.

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Stop back by Ramblings Regarding RENDO, as I will be waxing poetic about other of Franks amazing songs - from "Inspired" and "How Can You Say No To This Man" and "SHINE." And, oh yeah.... there's MORE. I'll be writing for a time here, and these blogs are written just to help you, perhaps, gain a different perspective about the songs - give you maybe just a little more in-depth look at the inner workings of the songs, and the artists who perform/compose/play/record and arrange them.

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And...whatever you do, don't forget to order your OWN copy of this incredible CD, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS. Order yours at CDBaby, http://www.cdbaby.com/ or by contacting Frank at frankrendo@yahoo.com.

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Merry Christmas to each of you reading through this blog - and for now, I leave you with this thought.....

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"...May I suggest the secret of Christmas is NOT the things you do at Christmastime...

But the Christmas things you do ALL YEAR THROUGH..."

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Lots of Christmas love-

~Martini