Dana Valery


Dana Valery Catalano is an Italian-born South African-reared singer, actress, and television performer who started her career in the entertainment industry at the age of 16 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where her family immigrated from Italy in 1947.
The singer has performed on television, radio, Broadway, and in live concert performances worldwide, including major cities such as New York, London, Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Johannesburg. She is the sister of singer and actor Sergio Franchi.

Stage

Valery starred in three productions of the South African musical revue Wait A Minim!: the original 1962 South African production; the 1964 London production; and the Broadway production which ran for 456 performances at the John Golden Theatre from March 7, 1966 – April 15, 1967. Miss Valery recorded Original Cast Albums of all three productions.

Television

In 1965, she appeared on the British television series Ladybirds for ITV Southern England. In it, interviewers Shaw Taylor and Terence Carroll attempt to find out about the individual behind the image. She appeared on several different television shows in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. One such appearance was as a panelist on the episode of the television game show, What's My Line?, that featured then-governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter as a contestant.

Career change

Dana Catalano made a career change later in life to become a healer. Her areas of expertise include Reiki and hypnotherapy. Her main practice is based in New York.

Personal life

She is married to Peter Catalano, who has worked both as a musician, trained at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and as an architect.

Discography

Valery's first US album was an RCA collaboration album with Al Hirt and Boots Randolph titled Horns Of Plenty. Valery recorded a version of the Paul Simon song "You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies" and released it as a single in January 1967, before Simon & Garfunkel released their version in July 1967 as the B-side to "Fakin' It". Valery's version became a notable song on the Northern soul scene, having been a popular spin at Wigan Casino.
Her solo debut album in the United States was called Not The Flower, But The Root on the Brunswick label in 1972. The Not The Flower, But The Root album has been reissued on CD in Japan with one bonus track. Her follow up was Dana Valery in 1975. The cover artwork shows her wearing black against a black background, resulting in a cameo-like effect. This album can still be found on Internet record stores and auction sites. This album was issued on RCA's custom label Phantom and was produced by Leslie West of Mountain. She recorded ten LP albums, two EPs, and a number of singles in South Africa prior to going abroad. In Johannesburg, Dana won two SARIE awards in for Best Female Vocalist.

Albums (LP)

  • 1962 Everybody's Doin' the Twist – CBS ALD 6562 – South Africa
  • 1962 Dan, Dana, and the Diamonds,, CBS S.A.
  • 1962 Original South African Cast Album – Wait a Minim! – Gallotone GLP-GALP 1221
  • 1963 Two Diamonds, with Mike Shannon – CBS – South Africa
  • 1963 This is Dana Valery – CBS ALD 6658 – South Africa
  • 1963 All'Italiana – CBS 6694 – South Africa
  • n.d. Dan Hill at The Grove,, CBS ALD 6721 – South Africa
  • 1964 Dana – CBS ALD 6747 – South Africa
  • 1966 The Exciting Dana Valery – CBS ALD 6825 – South Africa
  • 1967 I'll Remember Summer – CBS ALD 6969 South Africa
  • 1964 Original London Cast Album – Wait a Minim! – Decca SKL 4610
  • 1966 Original Broadway Cast Album – Wait a Minim! – London AMS 880002
  • 1971 Horns of Plenty – RCA PRS-372 Collaboration album w/Al Hirt, Boots Randolph, Dana Valery
  • 1972 Not The Flower But The Root – Brunswick Records BL 754180
  • 1975 Dana Valery – RCA/Phantom BPL1-1124
  • 1999 Zodiac Meditation Music – DVC Productions

EP albums (45rpm)

  • n.d. Dana Valery's Great Italian Hits – "Cuando caliente el sol" / "La mezza luna" / "La terza lune" / Dimelo in Settembre"
  • n.d. Tango Italiana – "Tango Italiana" / El Maintenant" / "From Russia With Love" / "This Is My Prayer"

Singles (45rpm)

  • 1962 "Hava Nagila" / "Tintarella di Luna"
  • 1962 "Autumn Concerto" / "Till"
  • 1963 "No School Tomorrow"
  • 1963 "Keep Away From Other Girls
  • 1963 "What Now My Love" / "I Wish You Love"
  • 1964 "Renato" / "Bahia Bossa Nova"
  • 1964 "This Is My Prayer" / "Would I Love You Again" &
  • 1964 "I Wake Up Crying" / "Never Let Go,"
  • 1964 "I'm Leaving It Up to You"
  • 1964 "The Kind of Boy I Can't Forget"
  • 1964 "Poor Boy"
  • 1965 "We're Gonna Be Happy" / "Cuore,"
  • 1965 "She Doesn't Love You " / "We're Gonna Be Happy"
  • 1965 "Tall Man"
  • 1966 "I Remember Love"
  • 1966 "Retreat Song"
  • 1967 "Having You Around" / "You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies"
  • 1967 "You" / "Imagine," &
  • 1967 "Having You Around" / "Zabadak" &
  • 1967 "You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies"
  • 1969 "Get in Line Girl" / "Clinging Vine"
  • 1969 "Happy Birthday To Me" / "A Girl Without Love"
  • 1969 "Surround Yourself with Sorrow" / "Breakfast in Bed" &
  • 1970 "Put Your Hand in the Hand" / "Point of No Return" &
  • 1971 "You on My Mind" / "Portofino"
  • 1972 "I Wanna Pay You Back",
  • 1973 "I'm A Woman Now" / "The Fountain"
  • 1976 "I'd [Love You to Want Me]" / "I Never Had It So Good,"
  • 1976 "Will [You Love Me Tomorrow]"/"I Never Had It So Good", US #95
  • 1978 "Du Bist Das Licht in Meiner Welt"
  • 1978 "He Brings Down The Raindrops"/"Those Were The Best Years"
  • 1979 "I Don't Want To Be Lonely"/"Rainbow Connection", US #87
  • n.d. "Roses and Rainbows"/"I Gave You My Love"
  • 1981 "Roses And Rainbows"/"I Gave You My Love" &

Television appearances

Film

  • Coach soundtrack "My Life's a Sing-a-Long"