Berlusconi CD aims for Christmas release

Sardinia, Italy -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's renditions of Neopolitan love songs may be released on CD in time for Christmas, his music partner says.

Musician Mariano Apicella said from Berlusconi's villa in Sardinia that he recommended at the beginning of August the premier take a break from politics to focus on his musical career in order to finish the CD. Now it's possible it could be out by December, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Monday.

But, Apicella warned, that may be optimistic due to Berlusconi's hectic schedule and other commitments. On the CD, Apicella provides guitar accompaniment to Berlusconi's croonings on 14 new songs, including the album opener, "There's Love." ANSA says the song includes the lines, "There's love which lights up, like a star lights up, which makes you feel beautiful by the power of kisses."

The news agency said Appicella is a former parking lot attendant who met Berlusconi in 2001 when the premier dined at a Naples restaurant where he was performing. After that, the relationship blossomed and two years later the pair released their first album, ''Meglio Una Canzone (Better A Song)," which sold about 45,000 copies.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.