Showing posts with label Frank Boeijen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Boeijen. Show all posts

Saturday 22 October 2022

Tot bloedens toe - Frank Boeijen

The Dutch singer Frank Boeijen has continued his career to this day, but 'Tot bloedens toe' is the last of his singles that was released on 7" vinyl. As such it is a true rarity, because it is rarely offered for sale. The only chance to grab hold of a copy is to hunt for it online - and even then it is not easy. 

This single had been on my wantlist for four or five years, and suddenly, earlier this month, one copy was offered for sale. Naturally I had to buy it. The single features a rather ugly single edit (fading out much earlier than the album version) and a beautiful B-side. It is certainly worth a listen, even if you don't understand Dutch.

My collection: 7" single no. 6788
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 October 2022
Tracks: 'Tot bloedens toe' / 'Stormvogels'

Wednesday 8 April 2020

Frank Boeijen - Twee gezichten

The last few vinyl singles by Frank Boeijen have become rare oddities. Released in 1992, this is one of them. 'Twee gezichten' ('Two faces') was released in Belgium in an edition of a few thousand copies, and they're almost impossible to get hold of nowadays.

I actually own the Dutch pressing of this single, but this one is special for the fact that it has a different sleeve and a live cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne' in Dutch. Frank's version was recorded for the Dutch TV programme Rotland, broadcast a few months before the release of this single. Confusingly, that track also appears on the B-side of the Dutch single 'Ze geeft om mij'.

My collection: 7" single no. 6276
Found: Discogs.com, received April 8, 2020
Cost: 10 euro
Tracks: 'Twee gezichten' / 'Suzanne (live)'

Saturday 5 July 2014

Heut' nacht - Frank Boyen

I have collected all of Dutch singer Frank Boeijen's singles (the result is shown here), but his ventures into foreign language have always been difficult to find. I knew that he'd recorded one single in German, called "Heut' nacht", but even in this internet age, I never found this disc. Until I found out, recently, that this German release was not by Frank Boeijen, but the name 'Frank Boyen'. Probably his real name was too hard to pronounce for German speakers.

Armed with the name 'Frank Boyen', I found this single within minutes. The indispensable Fun Records in Berlin had it in stock, and along with three more singles and a stack of cd-singles it arrived on my doorstep this morning. I was pleasantly surprised by the B-side, which is a longer version of the track 'Laat mij alleen', translated into 'Lass mich allein'. Both tracks were produced and arranged by Rob & Ferdi Bolland, who are, of course, pretty wellknown in their own right.

My collection: 7" single no. 5361
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, July 5, 2014
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Heut' nacht' / 'Lass mich allein'

Monday 10 May 2010

Onschuld - Frank Boeijen

The fourth single from Frank Boeijen's debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') was the track 'Onschuld' ('Innocence'). It was re-recorded in June 1992, which didn't help its chart performance incidentally: like the other three singles from the album, it didn't chart in the Netherlands.

The B-side was recorded for the album together with Henny Vrienten, frontman of the popular Dutch Eighties band Doe Maar.

My collection: 7" single no. 1704
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Onschuld' / 'Het ijs'

Saturday 8 May 2010

Twee gezichten - Frank Boeijen

Frank Boeijen recorded the track 'Twee gezichten' ('Two faces') together with Henk Hofstede from the Nits. It was released as the third single from Boeijen's debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers').

The B-side was a live track, recorded at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium on February 20, 1992. It was a Dutch version of Elvis Presley's famous track 'I can't help falling in love with you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1703
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Twee gezichten' / 'Kan er niets aan doen (live)'

Thursday 6 May 2010

Ze geeft om mij - Frank Boeijen

Frank Boeijen recorded a new version of 'Ze geeft om mij' ('She cares for me'), a track from his debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') when it was released as the second single from that album. The track got an altogether 'warmer' sound.

The B-side was a Dutch language cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne', performed live during the television programme Rotland, presented by Jan Rot. Boeijen recorded that track in the studio with Belgian singer Yasmine some years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1584
Found: February 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Ze geeft om mij' / 'Suzanne (live)'

Monday 3 May 2010

Koud in mijn hart - Frank Boeijen

After disbanding the Frank Boeijen Groep, frontman Frank Boeijen went solo. His first solo album was released a year after the last Frank Boeijen Groep album, so fans didn't have to wait for too long for new work from the singer.

'Koud in mijn hart' ('Cold in my heart') was released as the album's first single in November 1991. The song was written, composed and produced by Boeijen himself, but the B-side was proof that he wasn't just a lonely singer/songwriter now: that track was made in collaboration with Henk Hofstede from the band The Nits.

My collection: 7" single no. 1550
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Koud in mijn hart' / 'Wilde bloemen'

Friday 30 April 2010

Kronenburg park (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen had just decided to disband the group he'd worked with for the last ten years, when this single was released. The final live dates were still happening, and in a way, this single was a big farewell to all the fans. Hearts were broken, girls were weeping and the end of an era had come. Indeed, there was never another Frank Boeijen Groep single release after this.

'Kronenburg park' had been one of the biggest hits for the band back in 1985, and this single featured both that hit version and the live version from the then-current album. Like the other singles from the album, this one failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1382
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 16, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Kronenburg park (live)' / 'Kronenburg park'

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Onverstoorbaar (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Onverstoorbaar' ('Unstirred') was one of the six new tracks on the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1990 live double cd, 'Hier komt de storm' ('Here comes the storm'). It was, however, the only new track to be recorded live, as the other five were recorded in the studio. Hence, no studio version of 'Onverstoorbaar' exists - but still the single was titled 'Onverstoorbaar (live)'.

Personally, I thought this track represented everything which made the band so great: a great melody, a lyric that clicks on an emotional level, and sounding full and lively. Most people did not agree with me: the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1362
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Onverstoorbaar (live)' / 'Hemel en hel'

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Het antwoord (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

While in the Netherlands a live version of 'Verjaardagsfeest' was released as the first single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1990 live album 'Hier komt de storm', the Belgian record company opted for 'Het antwoord' ('The answer'), the studio version of which was released as a single in 1983.

The live version from the album was edited by fading out at the end. The single did not chart, but it did become quite a rare item, as it wasn't released in the band's home country.

My collection: 7" single no. 4169
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Het antwoord (live)' / 'De prijs (van Jan Arends) (live)'

Monday 26 April 2010

Verjaardagsfeest (live) - Frank Boeijen Groep

In 1989, the Frank Boeijen Groep released a live double cd, featuring 150 minutes of music. It was a recording of several concerts, during which many songs from their ten year career were played in often great arrangements. As an added bonus, the set also contained a handful of new tracks.

The first single from the album was a live version of 'Verjaardagsfeest', the track that put them in the spotlights back in 1981. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1293
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 21, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Verjaardagsfeest (live)' / 'De prijs (van Jan Arends) (live)'

Saturday 24 April 2010

Zeg me dat het niet zo is - Frank Boeijen Groep

Songs about death are usually controversial: either people love them, or they loathe them. 'Zeg me dat het niet zo is' ('Say it isn't so') is one of those songs: the lyrics are quite vague, but the ending leaves nothing to the imagination: 'We doen alsof ze gewoon verder leeft / Zelfs als dat niet zo is' ('We pretend she still lives on / Even if it isn't so').

It gave the Frank Boeijen Groep their first hit in two years, even if it was a minor one: the single reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40. Since then, it has become one of those Dutch language classics you will always hear on the radio - or during funeral services.

My collection: 7" single no. 1126
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 8, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Zeg me dat het niet zo is' / 'De grote kilte'

Friday 23 April 2010

Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw - Frank Boeijen Groep

After having made a handful of albums with pop songs with romantic lyrics, the Frank Boeijen Groep were moving away from this image with their ninth album, 'Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw' ('A summer at the end of the twentieth century'). The album featured mostly guitar-based tracks with lyrics about the world instead of lyrics about love and life.

The title track was released as a single on the same day as the release of the album. Most people were not convinced by this new sound and didn't buy the single (although the album still sold well).

My collection: 7" single no. 1084
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, October 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Een zomer aan het eind van de twintigste eeuw' / 'De piano van Beethoven'

Wednesday 21 April 2010

De wereld - Frank Boeijen Groep

In a way, the single 'De wereld' ('The world') was a charity singles. All the proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to the World Wildlife Fund. It wouldn't be a very big gesture, as in the end the single did not chart. All the band could give the WWF was 2500 guilders - which in itself is a nice sum, but not too shocking.

The B-side of this single was a new song, 'Holland is vrij' ('Holland is free'). It's a cynical commentary on the release of 'The two from Breda', two war criminals who were released on account of the fact that they were, according to the minister of justice, 'very old'. Boeijen sketches the image of an old woman who is still suffering from the crimes by these people every night. In a way, Holland is only a free country for those who commit crimes against humanity. It was not a pretty picture, but good enough to be re-recorded and included on the band's next album.

My collection: 7" single no. 750
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De wereld' / 'Holland is vrij'

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Heimwee - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen wrote a song about the people from the Dutch West-Indies, who were forced to come to the Netherlands while waiting for a free republic in their homeland. 'Heimwee gaat nooit over naar het land van onze dromen' ('Homesickness for the country of our dreams never ends') is the key sentence of this song's lyric.

Released as the second single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's eighth album 'Dans in slow-motion', 'Heimwee' did not reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 700
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 15, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Heimwee' / 'De wind nam hem mee (live)'

Monday 19 April 2010

Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben - Frank Boeijen Groep

The story goes, that when Frank Boeijen told the members of his group that he'd written a song called 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' ('How terrible I am') they made jokes about it. And it's true, there aren't that many songwriters that qualify themselves as 'terrible'.

The song was released as the first single from the band's 1988 album 'Dans in slow motion' ('Dance in slow motion'), but it failed to chart. Still, the theatre tour that followed sold out and the album sold exceptionally well too.

The single was released in two different sleeves as well: the first edition featured a purple sleeve, whereas later editions (and the cd-single) featured a red sleeve. For no apparent reason, it has to be added.

My collection: 7" single no. 653 (1 & 2)
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 15, 1988 / Leiden, November 26, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders / 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hoe verschrikkelijk ik ben' / 'Piccadilly Circus'

Sunday 18 April 2010

Hier komt de storm - Frank Boeijen Groep

The third and last single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's seventh album 'Welkom in Utopia' was 'Hier komt de storm' ('Here comes the storm'). The single version was heavily edited, which detracted a bit from the track. As a result, the single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

Meanwhile, the band had concluded their theatre tour across the Netherlands and work was already underway for the next album. They had never been as popular as they were right at that moment.

My collection: 7" single no. 584
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hier komt de storm' / 'Oorlog der liefde'

Friday 16 April 2010

Winter in Hamburg - Frank Boeijen Groep

Circa 1987, Frank Boeijen had a much-publicized relationship with English television presenter Amanda Redington. 'Winter in Hamburg' could easily have been a description of a trip the two enjoyed together, but in interviews, Boeijen never spoke much about his personal life, so it's anyone's guess.

The photograph on the sleeve of this single was taken during one of the band's concerts. In 1987, the band embarked on a tour in theatres everywhere in the Netherlands, moving away from the club circuit. It was obvious that their music was better suited for this new environment.

My collection: 7" single no. 571
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Winter in Hamburg' / 'Welkom in Utopia 1 (acoustic)'

Thursday 15 April 2010

Welkom in Utopia 2 - Frank Boeijen Groep

In 1987, the Frank Boeijen Groep released their seventh album 'Welkom in Utopia' ('Welcome in Utopia'). The album featured two title tracks: both titled 'Welkom in Utopia', the two tracks were very different from one another. Number one was the album's opening track, an uptempo track about social circumstances leading to desperate actions.

'Welkom in Utopia 2', the closing track of the album and released as a single ahead of the album, was a midtempo track with a more personal lyric. It was a hit for the band, reaching number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 563
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Welkom in Utopia 2' / 'De tijden'

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Cold in my heart - Frank Boeijen

Although none of the singles from Frank Boeijen's debut solo album charted in the Netherlands, the record company still thought it might be good to try and launch his career abroad. Two songs, 'Koud in mijn hart' and 'Vaarwel' were translated in English by J. Balin and released on this single. It was released in some European countries, but not in the Netherlands.

This, of course, instantly turned it into a sort of collector's item for Boeijen fans. I have to say I never even saw this single until I bought it last week. The single, of course, had no commercial success. It is next to impossible to locate a copy, unless you meet a German dealer who doesn't know what he's selling...

My collection: 7" single no. 4783
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cold in my heart' / 'Farewell'

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