CNN - Joe Pesci brings back 'My Cousin Vinny' on new recording

Badda bing, badda boom: Cousin Vinny gets a record deal

From Correspondent Mark Scheerer

Web posted on: Friday, October 23, 1998 4:30:35 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Vincent LaGuardia Gambini, the wiseguy lawyer from "My Cousin Vinny," is back. And, this time he is entertaining us with some tunes.

Academy Award-winning actor Joe Pesci, who played Vinny, has released a CD on which he sings and makes wiseguy wisecracks as that bumbling but well-intentioned lawyer from the 1992 hit film "My Cousin Vinny."

At a record store signing in New York, Pesci explained what motivated him to make this CD.

Joe Pesci is a real "Wise Guy"

"We thought it would be fun to hear a 'neighborhood guy' sing all different kinds of songs, and give them a chance, because everybody likes to sing," Pesci says. "So, I said, 'Let's make "My Cousin Vinny Sings."'"

Actually, this isn't Pesci's first singing gig. He was a member of the touring version of the 1960s band, "Joey Dee and the Starlighters."

The actor, whose films credits include "Goodfellas" and "Wiseguys," admits there is language on his new album that is barely fit for the ears of a racketeer.

"It's just for fun, you know. There's a clean version, too ... but the 'Parental Advisory' one is probably a little more fun," he said.

Pesci said he has no plans to go on tour with his new recording. After all, he is an actor.

"I have a career, remember? I think I still have one. I don't know. Maybe I killed it with this," he said.

What a wiseguy.