Danny Aiello to release first album

NEW YORK, March 12 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Danny Aiello is set to make his vocal recording debut in April.

The Academy Award-nominated actor, who has appeared in films like "Once Around," "Do The Right Thing" and "Moonstruck," will release his first album on April 20, his representatives said Friday.

His new CD, "I Just Wanted to Hear The Words," features 14 of Aiello's favorite classic songs, such as "All of Me," "You Belong To Me" and "The Curtain Falls." The Bronx native said he always wanted the opportunity to work in the studio with talented musicians on songs he loves.

"The timing was right," he said in a statement. "I was in between shooting films and decided, 'OK, you've talked about this for years; let's do it.' I had a lot of fun making this record in the studio, working and reworking ideas, melodies, musical arrangements, and then singing these songs -- songs written by brilliant songwriters, songs I found so inspiring throughout my life, it was a great opportunity."

Aiello's first single, "All of Me" is scheduled for radio airplay starting March 29.