Tim Lucas at VideoWatchblog points us to this YouTube clip of Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane performing “Deep, Deep Down,” the opening title song from Mario Bava’s excellent comic-book-based fantasy-action-adventure, DANGER: DIABOLIK (1968). I have always loved the song (which was composed by Ennio Morricone, who also scored the film) and regretted that it never appeared on a soundtrack album (on the audio commentary for the DIABOLIK DVD, Lucas says the original tapes were destroyed). Consequently, it is a real thrill to hear it performed with all the gusto and attention normally lavished on a well-known classic.
Though not as big a fan of the song as I am, Lucas claims to have been moved to tears by the performance, and I can believe him:
I’ve always liked the song, with its Christy vocal, without giving it too much thought — it’s not even my favorite musical cue in the picture — but seeing it performed live by such an expressive vocalist, a full choir and orchestra brought tears to my eyes.
It’s like seeing an entire city rise up in tribute to Mario Bava, Ennio Morricone, Marisa Mell and John Phillip Law. It’s like seeing a modest film made forty years ago by humble artisans, shrugged off by most people at the time of its original release, triumphing over time by spreading the wings of a glorious phoenix.
Amen, Brother Lucas!