Showing posts with label Fifties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fifties. Show all posts

Sunday 4 February 2024

Refrains - Cora Vaucaire

Cora Vaucaire was a French chanson singer, born 22 July 1918 in Marseille (France) and died 17 September 2011 in Paris (France). She recorded over a dozen singles and a handful of studio albums. She was known for singing songs from the middle ages, but this single is a bit different.

It features a cover version of the very first winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest, 'Refrain' by Lys Assia. I was particularly impressed, upon receiving this single, that it is absolutely flawless: the sleeve is in mint condition, the disc is flawless as well. That's pretty astonishing for a single from 1957. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7119
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 February 2024
Tracks: 'Refrains' / 'Gregory'

Wednesday 10 January 2024

Populaire Hoogtepunten Op-De-Plaat Van 1960 - Concertgebouworkest o.l.v. Dolf van der Linden

The esteemed orchestra of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw recorded many things, mainly classical music, but in 1960 they filled two EP's that were sold during a record promotion week in the Netherlands. One EP was devoted to classical music (of course), the other to a more popular genre. This is the latter.

The orchestra plays a medley (well, two, actually) of popular songs, of which Domenico Modugno's 'Piove' is one, and Jacqueline Boyer's 'Tom Pillbi' is another. It's very interesting to hear a more classical rendition of these two Eurovision songs. It's a good deal, too: if you bought this for 1 guilder (approx. 45 eurocents these days, but more like 5 eurocents if you take inflation into account) you got this EP with almost 15 minutes of music!

My collection: 7" single no. 7113
Found: De Schatkamer, Leidschendam, 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Sleighride in Alaska, Tom Pillibi, Piove, Marina, Kriminal Tango, Una Marcia in Fa' / 'Kleine Lucienne, Morgen, Elisabethan Serenade, Mack the Knife, Petite Fleur, Milord'

Accordeon Potpourri no. 41 - The 3 Jacksons

In December 2021 I bought two singles by the 3 Jacksons; one because of their version of 'Abergavenny', and one because of their version of 'Nel blu dipinto di blu'.This month I added one more single by this accordeon-crazy group, because of their inclusion of no less than two Eurovision songs in the 41st potpourri. 

'Piove' opens the proceedings, and it is followed by 'Sing little birdie'. Both songs were performed in the 1959 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. I wouldn't say that I am exactly a fan of music on accordeons, but this single is a nice curiosity nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 7112
Found: De Schatkamer, Leidschendam, 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Piove, Sing Little Birdie, Una Marcia in Fa' / 'Tom Dooley, Mandolins in the moonlight, Li per li'

Friday 24 November 2023

Sei ehrlich - Teddy Scholten

In 1959, Teddy Scholten represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest with ''n Beetje' ('A little bit'). She won the contest, and an interesting time began: besides doing theatre shows with her husband she also found time to record her song in other languages.

'Sei ehrlich' ('Be honest') is the German version of the song. She also recorded Italian and French versions, and even performed the song in English and Swedish, apparently - both those versions were never released on a record. The song was recorded with the orchestra led by Jack Bulterman; the orchestra also performs the B-side, an instrumental version of the UK entry, 'Sing little birdie'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7081
Found: Discogs.com, received 15 November 2023
Tracks: 'Sei ehrlich' / 'Sing little birdie'

More of Marty - Marty Wilde and his Wildcats

An EP called 'More of Marty' offers, indeed, more of Marty Wilde: four tracks instead of two. This EP was released in Denmark, which is evidenced by the short bio on the back of the sleeve.

The EP features two singles of the man: 'Oh-oh, I'm falling in love again' and 'Endless sleep', plus their respective B-sides. Both singles were originally credited to Marty Wilde and his Wildcats, as is this EP. There were many more EP releases back in the day, but it's not easy to find them for an affordable price. And that's important, because I'm not going to pay top dollar for tracks that I already own a few times - both on vinyl and CD!

My collection: 7" single no. 7033
Found: Discogs.com, received 20 September 2023
Tracks: 'Oh-oh, I'm falling in love again', 'Sing boy sing' / 'Her hair was yellow', 'Endless sleep'

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Ma petite chatte - Fud Leclerc

Having bought the previous 11 singles from one dealer, I asked whether he had some rare gems hidden under the table. He did, and some of them were already in my collection and featured on this blog. But one item was especially rare and I was rather stunned when I grabbed it: a real copy of 'Ma petite chatte' by Fud Leclerc.

You should know that Fud Leclerc represented Belgium four times at the Eurovision Song Contest, but only two of those songs were ever released on a 7" single: 'Mon amour pour toi' from 1960 and this song, 'Ma petite chatte' from 1958. The other two, 'Messieurs les noyés de la Seine' (1956) and 'Ton nom' (1962) remained unreleased.

This particular single seems to come from the archive of the INR - NIR, Belgium's national broadcasting institute, which existed until 1960. I just hope it wasn't stolen from their archives.

My collection: 7" single no. 7062
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 November 2023
Tracks: 'Ma petite chatte' / 'Volare (Dans le bleu du ciel bleu)'

Monday 30 October 2023

Aan het Wolga-strand / Straatdeuntje - Jean Walter

In 1957, Bobbejaan Schoepen represented Belgium at the second edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Straatdeuntje', composed by Harry Frekin and written by Eric Franssen.The strange thing is that his version was never released on a 7" single, whereas this single by Jean Walter does contain the song - albeit on the B-side. 

Jean Walter was born in Sint-Niklaas on 11 February 1922 and died on 5 June 2014. During his lifetime he only released one album, but between 1950 and 1960 he released more than a dozen singles. He never achieved the legendary status that Bobbejaan got in Belgium, but this particular single remains a highlight for Eurovision collectors.

My collection: 7" single no. 7043
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 October 2023
Tracks: 'Aan het Wolga-strand' / 'Straatdeuntje'

Friday 6 October 2023

L'enfant que j'étais - Lys Assia

The legendary Lys Assia won the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, but she returned the next year, representing Switzerland again with 'L'enfant que j'étais'. I was quite surprised to find this EP with a picture sleeve, featuring not only that song but also three others. Picture sleeves weren't all that usual back in the 1950's. 

'L'enfant Que J'étais' ('The Child I Was') was written by Émile Gardaz and composed by Géo Voumard, the same duo who wrote the previous year's Swiss entry and Eurovision winner. The song is about looking back at childhood.

My collection: 7" single no. 7038
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 October 2023
Tracks: 'Histoire d'un amour', 'L'enfant que j'étais' / 'Buenas noches mi amor', 'Scusami'

Amami se vuoi - Tonina Torrielli

The very first Eurovision Song Contest took place in 1956. Not all songs were released as a single, but some were. During this first edition every country was allowed two songs, and some countries also sent out two different artists. Italy sent Franca Raimondi with 'Aprite le finestre' and Tonina Torrielli with 'Amami se vuoi'. 

Both songs were released on single, but they are obviously quite hard to get these days. I was happy to find this EP featuring Tonina Torrielli's song. Torrielli wasn't necessarily impressed with her Eurovision song: “I never loved it very much", she said in an interview, "it was a little song. I loved poetry very much, I studied lyrics which was a whole other thing. Singing cheesy songs with lyrics like "I'm yours, forever yours in your arms," I didn't like.”

My collection: 7" single no. 7037
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 October 2023
Tracks: 'Andalucia', 'La violetera' / 'Amami se vuoi', 'L'edera'

Saturday 16 September 2023

Oui, oui, oui, oui / Ciao, ciao, bambina (Piove) - Frédérica

Not much is known about Frédérica Pietra, except the release of her singles between 1956 and 1960. She even released one album (on a 10" disc) in 1953.

This EP from 1959 features four tracks by the singer, including two from the Eurovision Song Contest of that year. They are 'Oui, oui, oui, oui', originally performed by Jean Philippe for France, and 'Ciao, ciao, bambina (Piove)', originally performed by Domenico Modugno for Italy. Both songs were incredibly successful that year, and so it's no surprise that Frédérica also tried her luck with these tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 7031
Found: Discogs.com, received 16 September 2023
Tracks: 'Rendez-vous à cinq heures, chéri', 'Oui, oui, oui, oui' / 'Les innocents', 'Ciao, ciao, bambina (Piove)'

International - Lys Assia

When Lys Assia won the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 it wasn't immediately clear that she'd performed a classic song, but 'Refrain' has definitely acquired the title 'legendary'. I was happy to buy the German version 'Refrain, du goldner Traum aus meiner Jugendzeit' two years ago, but I was still searching for this EP. Mainly because it's the only version I know that actually has a picture sleeve. 

This EP features 'Refrain, du gold'ner Traum', as well as three other songs also performed in German. I think my collection of 'Refrain' singles is complete now - although you never know!

My collection: 7" single no. 7020
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 August 2023
Tracks: 'Jolie Jacqueline', 'Blaue Veilchen, weisser Flieder' / 'Refrain, du gold'ner Traum', 'Nachts in Paris'

Wednesday 9 August 2023

Il est là - Paule Desjardins

The very first Eurovision Song Contest took place in 1956 and every participating country (seven in total) performed two songs each. Some countries chose to send two different performing artists as well. In the case of France, they were Mathé Altéry with 'Le temps perdu' and Dany Dauberson with 'Il est là'. For some inexplicable reason, both songs were not released on disc at the time.

A version of 'Il est là' appeared on an EP, however, and it was performed by Paule Desjardins (who would go on to represent France the next year). This EP is quite rare, and I was lucky enough to find a copy from a Portuguese seller online. Sometimes you never know where those rare records come from!

My collection: 7" single no. 7008
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 August 2023
Tracks: 'Il est là', 'Mango-rumbo' / 'Casino blues', 'Viens plus près'

Thursday 27 April 2023

Festival de San Remo 1959

Another one of those San Remo-inspired EP's was released in 1959 by Gianni Ales y su conjunto, also known as  Gianni Ales ed il suo complesso, because the band is actually Italian - but this is a Spanish EP.  I got it from a Spanish seller, of course.

Released in 1959, this EP features four songs from that year's San Remo festival, including the Domenico Modugno composition 'Ciao ciao bambino (Piove)', a song that has been covered numerous times. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6968
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Chao chao bambina (Piove)', 'Io sono il vento' / 'Conoscerti', 'Una marcia in fa'

Tuesday 25 April 2023

Ciao, ciao, bambina (Piove) - Four Jacks

It's funny how many cover versions there are of 'Piove', the 1959 Italian Eurovision entry by Domenico Modugno. This blog has presented quite a few of them already and here's another one - from Denmark this time. 

Four Jacks was a Danish pop/schlager vocal quartet. They formed in 1956. Original member Otto Brandenburg left in 1958 to pursue a successful solo career and was replaced by Flemming Rasmussen, better known under his stage name James Rasmussen. After the quartet split in 1963 John Mogensen served as a bar pianist for some years before becoming Denmark's most popular schlager artist of the first half of the 1970's. 

This single was released in 1959. In the same year they also released a song called 'Waterloo' - not the famous Abba song from 1974, obviously. 'Ciao, ciao, bambina (Piove)' remains the only Eurovision cover the group recorded. My copy was previously owned by Elisabeth Johannessen, who lived in Børkop. I wonder if she's still alive.

My collection: 7" single no. 6956
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Ciao, ciao, bambina (Piove)' / 'Drømmen om dig'


Saturday 8 April 2023

Piove - Arturo Testa

Domenico Modugno's 'Piove' has been covered numerous times, especially in the late 1950's and 1960's when this song was wildly popular. Most versions are as dramatic and slow as the original, but Arturo Testa recorded a fast, jazzy version that is far less dramatic - and more appealing I might add. 

This EP presents four songs from the San Remo Song Festival 1959, as the title suggests, but performed by Arturo Testa and Wilma de Angelis, and not the original artists. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6926
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 April 2023
Tracks: 'Piove', 'Io sono il vento' / 'La marcia in fa', 'Li per li'

Sunday 26 March 2023

Volare - Jane Morgan

Strictly speaking, the lead track of this EP is 'The day the rains came', as it's the first track on the A-side, but it's the second track on that side which I bought this record for: another cover version of Domenico Modugno's 'Volare'. And it's quite an interesting record, too: the label states 'not for sale', which I guess makes it a promotional EP.

Jane Morgan was born in Newton, Massachusetts (USA) on 3 May 1924 and initially found success in France and the UK before achieving recognition in the US, receiving six gold records. Her song 'The day the rains came' reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in early 1959. This EP features her version of 'Volare', sung in Italian and English. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6922
Found: Discogs.com, received 22 March 2023
Tracks: 'The day the rains came', 'Volare' / 'It's all in the game', 'Everybody loves a lover'

Wednesday 25 January 2023

Skibet skal sejle i nat - Birthe Wilke & Gustav Winckler

Having bought 'Skibet skal sejle i nat' a year ago on a 78rpm record, it shouldn't be surprising that I would eventually get the 7" vinyl EP as well. It took some time because most copies are overly expensive and I am not one for paying three figure prices for 7" singles.

But lo and behold, here it is: the original 1957 EP of 'Skibet sjal sejle i nat', with four tracks by Birthe Wilke with different duet partners. The cover may show some wear, but that is no surprise after 65 years. It's just a pleasure to own one of those early Eurovision singles. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6846
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 January 2023
Tracks: 'Skibet skal sejle i nat' (Birthe Wilke & Gustav Winckler), 'Tre piger fra Jylland' (Birthe Wilke & Dirch Passer) / ''Militaer tango' (Birthe Wilke), 'Kaerlighedens cocktail' (Birthe Wilke & Gustav Winckler)

Monday 2 January 2023

Tschau, tschau Bambina - Peter Alexander

Domenico Modugno had a hit on his hands when he sang 'Piove (Ciao ciao bambina)' in 1959 at the Eurovision Song Contest. He probably didn't realize this when he failed to win that edition (the prize went to the Netherlands instead) but there are many cover versions of his song, and it must have earned him a fortune.

One of those cover versions was released the same year by Austrian singer Peter Alexander. He was born on 30 June 1926 and died on 12 February 2011.During his life he released almost 100 albums and twice as many singles. 'Tschau, Tschau Bambina' was a beautiful, sentimental version of that Italian song. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6822
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Tschau, tschau Bambina' / 'Hol den Peter'

Wednesday 9 November 2022

Pazzo amore / Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare) - Domenico Modugno

The earliest Eurovision song to obtain legendary status is Domenico Modugno's 'Volare', or, more correctly, 'Nel blu dipinto di blu'. I'm not sure that everybody knows that Domenico actually re-recorded this song a few times, and this single, released in 1984, is one of those versions.

It was recorded with the orchestra of maestro Nello Ciangherotti for the TV series La luna nel pozzo - although I'm not sure if that claim holds true for both tracks on this single. I can say for sure that 'Pazzo amore' was featured on that TV show. The modernized and slightly 'discofied' version of 'Nel blu dipinto di blu' is what is the real attraction on this disc for me, however. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6784
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2022
Tracks: 'Pazzo amore' / 'Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare)'


Friday 26 August 2022

When the boys talk about the girls - Valerie Carr

Valerie Carr was born in 1936. She made her singing debut in the Fifties, recording some singles for the King Records label, until she signed with Roulette in 1958. This single, 'When the boys talk about the girls' peaked at number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 and number 29 in the UK singles chart. It is a charming little song, which was covered in 1966 by the Shirelles.

I bought this single along with a handful of other ones, but unfortunately this copy is warped. I'll leave it under a stack of heavy books for some time, but in the mean time I found some recordings of both sides so I can still hear these tracks. Buying singles online can be a bit like Russian Roulette sometimes.

My collection: 7" single no. 6746
Found: Discogs.com, received 11 July 2022
Cost: 0 (yep, I got a refund)
Tracks: 'When the boys talk about the girls' / 'Padre'

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