back 

THE AMERICAN WAY

1. Everybody Loves Somebody

At the end of the fifties Dean Martin, one of the most important Crooners of this genre, had a gigantic hit record with ‘Volare’. Almost ten years to date he repeated this success with a song of his Rat Pack colleague and bosom friend, Frank Sinatra: ‘Everybody Loves Somebody’, maybe even the most impressive love song of all times.

Dean Martin’s version, in the mid sixties, pushed the Beatles from their first place in the hit parade. Helmut Lotti succeeds to evoke the atmosphere of that time in a performance that is carried by overwhelming choir work and his enchanting voice.

2. Hello Dolly

Besides being a great cornet and trumpet player, Louis Armstrong, who obtained his passion for music in the jazz clubs and cocktail bars of New Orleans, was a fantastic crooner as well. He turned ‘Hello Dolly’ into a bestseller that threw even the Beatles from the top. It’s an easy-going song for a girl that returns home after a long time and it became unforgettable in the film of the same name with Barbra Streisand (1969). Helmut Lotti puts extra feeling in the song, which turns it into a song for all women, anywhere in the world.

3. Mandolins in the Moonlight

When you think crooning, the movies “Casablanca” with Humphrey Bogart, or “The Sting” come to mind: smoky rooms, a singer with a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth and a glass of whiskey in his hand. You also think of the American-Italian mob, who ruled the cocktail bars where all the great Crooners premiered. Perry Como – who charted in 1958 with the beautiful song “Mandolins in the Moonlight” - was one of them. In the adaptation by Helmut Lotti, you will picture yourself right from the intro in romantic Italy, on a bench in the moon light, with your sweetheart close to you.

4. What a Wonderful World

The beauty of life and the world we live in, was praised with the song “What a wonderful World” by Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. But truly unforgettable is the version of Louis Armstrong. The jazz musician, who grew up in poverty and became a world star, is known for his honesty and optimism, for the open mind with which he observed life. Helmut Lotti shares this characteristic with the famous trumpet player and puts all of this in his own adaptation of this simple and therefore such miraculous song. 

5.Just A Gigolo

The father of crooning, a way of singing that was born through the invention of the microphone, is without a doubt Bing Crosby. He was the founder of a new style, a performance in which soft singing is combined with whistling or whispering. A romantic moment between the singer and his mostly female audience. “Just a Gigolo” – the story of a lonely charmer – is a prime example. A world hit that is performed by Helmut Lotti to the example of the master: intimate, compelling, narrative.

6. True Love

One of the most beautiful crooner songs ever is undoubtedly “ True Love “, Bing Crosby’s and Grace Kelly’s duet, especially composed for the movie “High Society”. It became the first world hit for the princess-to-be of Monaco. Helmut Lotti presents the song together with Isabelle Adam, with whom he grew up and whose career he has followed closely for all these years. The singer displays her talent as a performer with a voice that sparkles and touches. In their version “True Love” becomes the pinnacle of romance.

7. Blue Moon

You can hardly count the numerous world famous singers who brought out their own versions of “Blue Moon”. Amongst them, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Elvis Presley. This proves how timeless and immortal the song is. Helmut Lotti takes you along to the smoky bars of Chicago, in the year1955. While listening to his interpretation, the time of the great crooners comes back to life again.

8. Mona Lisa

Nat King Cole didn’t rate himself much of a singer, he much preferred to grow as a jazz pianist. Despite this he still became one of the most legendary crooners, with world hits next to his name like “When I fall in Love” or this enchanting “Mona Lisa” of 1950. Eight weeks he topped the international charts, deserving of an Oscar. This success relives in Helmut Lotti’s version. The singer takes you to the mystical painting in the Louvre, that resembles so closely the mysteriously smiling girl that makes each man’s heart start to pound.

9. Moon River

Andy Williams was one of the Sixties’ most popular American Crooners. His weekly television show “ The Andy Williams Show “ received no less than three Emmy Awards for the best entertainment show and was a launching pad for many a new talent. He himself reached the top with songs like “Born Free” and the vocal version of “Love Story”. But his most beautiful song ever is “Moon River”, later adapted by other stars like Barbra Streisand and Shirley Bassey, and now also Helmut Lotti.

10. Caterina

‘Caterina’ was the second mega hit for Perry Como after “Mandolins in the Moonlight”. The Italian-American Crooner took the song straight to the top of the charts in 1963. So it wasn’t surprising that months later hundreds of thousands of little girls were christened “Caterina”. The song was very popular amongst children as well, due to the cute choir voices. Helmut Lott’s version accompanied by his Golden Symphonic Orchestra is just as joyous and natural.

11. Smile

Charlie Chaplin, the man with the melancholic eyes, the bowler hat and the walking-stick, wasn’t just world’s biggest comedian but also a celebrated songwriter. For example ‘Love, This is my song’ reveals him as a born romantic. ‘Smile’ is his personal vision of life: don’t let problems burden your heart. Dare to smile, even if it seems the world around you is rotten. The song was performed by stars like Nat King Cole, Judy Garland and Tony Bennett, each time with great success. And it triumphs again in Helmut Lotti’s version.

12. That’s Amore

The movie “The Caddy” was filmed in 1953, featuring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in the leading roles. It was an utter flop, only the title song ‘That’s Amore’ survived through times. The song was specifically composed, based on Dean Martin’s Italian roots, and ever since has rightly formed part of the crooner history. The song becomes an impressive ode to love in Helmut Lotti’s version. 

MY WAY

1.I’m So Lucky to sing

In his own song ‘I’m So Lucky to Sing’, Helmut allows you a peek in his heart. This is the story of his life. The song is about the reason for his existence, his passion, that what keeps him going forever and ever. The singer sets it to his hand, it’s a cheerful song, as free  as his character, as open as his mind.

A song that makes it impossible to sit still, that pursues you and that makes you happy for days

2. The Train of Love

The journey of love has many interesting turns and when you’re in love, you hope that your sweetheart jumps on your train of love. It is a train that travels a long road and can take many directions. Every stop opens new opportunities, is a door to change and surprise, to discovering over and over again.

‘The Train of Love’, composed and written by Helmut Lotti, sings praise to the tension of love, the surrendering, the unconditional giving of your heart. It is a song that makes you happy, that makes clouds disappear and brings sunshine in your life.

3. I’ Dont’ Know How To Love You

In ‘I Don’t Know How to Love You’, Helmut Lotti sings about a true love story. It is a story that many will recognize, an ode to complete surrender, the feeling of the impossible choice between enjoying the moment and the desire for a future together. The song goes straight to your heart, touches and moves. It shows the singer as a talented writer and composer, as a great performer who makes the art of crooning his own.

4. How Could I Ever Forget You

Love sails the waves of life. Sometimes it is all-consuming, sometimes it disappears as suddenly as it appeared. One thing is sure, according to Helmut Lotti: when the passion cools down, there is no real reason or guilty party. Realising that all your dreams are gone is something that can happen to anyone. In those lonely moments in a person’s life, it’s important to remember above all the beautiful moments of a relationship. Because even though it is not the future, allow it to be a beautiful memory.

5. The Most Expensive Girl

Helmut Lotti wrote and composed ‘The Most Expensive Girl’ in the first place for the gentlemen. It praises the ladies and the mystique of a woman. She who touches us deep in our heart. But also makes us raise our brows in doubt. In fact, it is an accumulation of clichés, bundled in an extraordinarily happy song that will not let you go and which each ‘real man’ will recognize. ‘We love them, truly, but…’

6. Full Speed Ahead

In this self composed song, Helmut Lotti sings about a fascinating aspect of life and love. Sometimes things go wrong or are out of our control. At that moment, it is important to broaden your boundaries and go full speed ahead, whilst never looking back. It is a song that pulsates with energy and passion for life, that is cranked up like a motor that runs on your heart beat.

7. There’s a Sparkle in Your Eyes

‘The full moon slides before her face. It lights up her smile and makes her eyes sparkle. Now all I can do is hope that the little flame that is flickering in them, is only there for me.’ This Helmut Lotti wrote in the beautiful, tuneful duet ‘There’s a Sparkle in Your Eyes”, which he sings together with the vocally classic-schooled Hayley Westenra, a fantastic singer from New Zealand. The lyrics carry you to the summit of love, the moment of ecstasy and enchantment. Masterfully supported by equally stirring music.

8. I Wonder

Sometimes we are so happy in our life, it almost hurts. So happy that we fear losing what we have. But also so happy, that we wonder whether someone can understand how it feels. ‘Does my sweetheart truly realise how much I love her?’,  Helmut Lotti sings in his self composed ‘I Wonder’. And: ‘does she have that same feeling, those same questions, that same desire?’

9. Are You Sure

How doubtful can lovers be, fearing the future, fearing the moment this fantastic feeling will pass? How sure can they be that they truly found the “one”? Helmut Lotti confronts them with their doubts and desires, in a song that touches and makes a lasting impression. The singer makes them look into a mirror and urges them to question whether their feelings are real. Will this last forever and ever? Be brave enough to look into your heart and avoid no obstacles. Give love space.

10. You Will Love Again

Heartache is of all times. But how do you comfort someone who feels as if he lost the love of his life? Maybe by telling what we learn with age: a lost love is not necessarily an ending; it is often a beginning. The emptiness of your heart will be filled again, your tears will dry and you’ll be able to smile again.

‘You Will Love Again’ is Helmut Lotti’s comforting song for everyone who suffers from a broken heart.

11. Stop Looking in Her Eyes

Of course, we all make mistakes from time to time. When we see this happen to people we care for, we would love to intervene. We want to warn them, protect them from sorrow. With “Stop Looking in Her Eyes”, Helmut Lotti puts that friendly warning into words and he points to the fact that the pleasure of one moment can cost you all your current happiness. An enjoyable song in which many can recognize themselves, brought to you in the atmosphere of the great crooners.

12. Take it with a Smile

No matter how annoying some situations can be, sometimes the best cure for most troubles still, is a good mood. And a smile! Even when you think that your problem is the largest and only important one in the world, a smile, a moment of reflection and a deep breath can already solve half your worries. A sense of humour and putting yourself in perspective are the key to happiness. ‘Take it with a Smile’ is Helmut Lotti’s personal lesson of life, captured in a deliciously flowing sing-along.