Spanish Harlem
Tony Mottola · Other Songs - Tony Mottola
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal that look down in my soul
And starts a fire there and then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
Spanish Harlem - Tony Mottola
Tony Mottola's 1962 recording of 'Spanish Harlem' stands as a definitive example of the boogie-woogie piano style that defined the early rock and roll era. As a member of the Tony Mottola Trio, he delivered a performance characterized by driving rhythms and a distinct New Orleans jazz influence, blending seamlessly with the R&B sounds popular in the United States at the time. The track captures the vibrant energy of the late 1950s and early 1960s, serving as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the era's session musicians. Mottola's rendition is celebrated for its infectious groove and the seamless interplay between piano and rhythm section, making it a staple in collections of classic boogie-woogie and early rock recordings.