Frankie's Back in Town

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Clients had been raving to Sandy about the Frank Sinatra imitator singing in the bar at the new Mamma Mia's restaurant in Marshfield. We stopped once to eat, but there was an hour and a half wait so we went elsewhere. Every time we drove by, the rest of the summer season, the place was packed. We thought we would just wait until it finally slowed down, but it never did. Many restaurants have tried their luck at that location. Until now only Brian's Place was successful. 

 

One night I called Marshfield to see how long the wait was, and the hostess said she could seat us right away. The whole Bacon family really loves the Mamma Mia's in Kingston. That was the original, which opened in 1974. My Reliable Fence sales manager, Clyde Brini, first brought me there in 1975. To our delight, we found the Marshfield restaurant to be even better. The menu is larger and so is the restaurant. The bar alone, which sits like an island in the middle of the place, seats 160. The portions are huge. I got three separate meals out of my New Year's dinner entree. They even have valet parking. Marshfield is blessed with many good restaurants. This one is two miles from our casa. There is a fire going outside to keep the attendants warm. The oak is burned in an open drum, similar to Providence's "Water Fire." Give them ten minutes notice to bring your car around front, and they promise that it will be warm and toasty for your drive home. "How was your meal?" they ask. "Have a safe drive home." What? You have NEVER been to Water Fire?

So after six months of waiting for business to slow down, we finally made it one night with the Cerris. All of us enjoyed our meals and the chianti. John and Barb had never been to a Mamma Mia's. Giovanni gave the thumbs up -- and he was born in Lucca so he knows good Italian food. There are five now on the South Shore. The original was started in Kingston by a family from Italy. Of course Mamma Mia means "my mother" in Eetalian. Allora! They came from a town east of Napoli. Refer to the very end of my very first blog "O Sole Mio" for more info. On the way out, Sandy spied an advertisement for New Year's Eve at Mamma Mia's with the Francis Sinatra impersonator. It said that even Marilyn Monroe would be there. For a number of years now Sandy and I have been spending our New Year's at Cajun/Zydeco dances in and around Providence and Pawtucket. The proper pronunciation, if you are from Rhode Island,  is Pah-tucket. Say it wrong and we know that you are an outsider. It was really nice to have only a two mile commute for this New Year's Eve. How come it's Eve and not Evening?

We had eight o'clock reservations. Exactly at eight the music started. At first I thought that it was recorded music of Frankie. I searched the room and there he was, dressed in his tux, singing away. The music was prerecorded but his voice wasn't. He sounded exactly like Frank. Eventually Marilyn showed up in a tight, topless, sequined red dress. She mingled with the crowd. Patrons brought their cameras. In real life she is the singer's sister. They are from East Providence. Go figure. This was their last show for a while, because they were heading to Naples for the winter. Naples Florida that is. OK it wasn't topless, it was strapless. Admit it, I had you at "topless."

Right now I am in the middle of a Bruce Springsteen book by Peter Ames Carlin. He had a very rough start to his and the E Street Band's careers. Born in the USA came out in 1984.

So I am thinking, "How much can this brother and sister team be making for this gig?" Top notch Cajun/Zydeco bands are not coming from Louisiana to the smaller venues here in New England because of the low pay offered. It was at that moment that Marilyn showed up at our table with this cruise information. 

 Cruise with Buddy and Frank? Why not?

We haven't seen Bruce and probably never will, unless he plays Johnny's D's -- but we did see Sinatra, at the Providence Civic Center in the 1980s.

A brief history of Buddy Cianci.

Grandson to Pietro and Carmella from Roccomonfida Italy. Pietro was a carpenter. Carmella was a housewife. Buddy's father was a doctor.

Vincent Albert "Buddy" Cianci was and still is the longest serving mayor of a big city in these United States. He was the first Italian mayor in 150 years. Providence had all Irish mayors during that 150 years. I have always thought of Providence as Italian, not Irish, even though Tom Egan grew up in South Providence. Our Boston mayor, Tom Menino, will have 20 years in if he continues on in 2013.

Buddy served for 21 years and brought the city of Providence back to life. One of his pet projects was, in fact, Water Fire. He would show up everywhere. In parades, at backyard barbeques, Water Fire, Brown University, home shows, dances, Haven Brothers, birthdays and funerals. You name it, he was there. When Sinatra  played in Providence, Buddy would take him to Federal Hill to eat. Rumor had it that Buddy would show up even for an envelope opening.

I went to Brown University. It was a Saturday and I remember it was a beautiful day.

But then, with 21 years under him as mayor, he resigned following his conviction for racketeering conspiracy and served four years in a federal prison. There was an assault charge also.

Today you can hear him on his very popular radio show. He also is a TV personality. Or better yet, talk to him at the question and answering sessions during the cruise. Please do not miss the photo and autograph opportunities.

And you have the nerve to ask me why I don't read fiction? This has to be one of the biggest YCMTSup stories yet.