Wake up - Ian Dury & the Blockheads

A visit to a real record shop is always a pleasure, especially when they've got a good selection of 7" singles to look around in. I was quite surprised to see this single, because I knew the title but I suddenly realized that I didn't own it yet. 

'Wake up (and make love with me)' starts with the immortal line "I come awake / with the gift for womankind", which, as most men will testify, is an accurate description of those early moments of the day. Amazingly, the single wasn't a hit in the UK, but it did make number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6858
Found: Plato, Leiden, 4 February 2023
Tracks: 'Wake up' / 'Blockheads'

Madrugada - Duarte Mendes

José Henrique Duarte Mendes (born 7 August 1947) is a Portuguese former captain and singer. He participated in Festival da Canção in 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973 but he did not win until 1975 when he performed 'Madrugada', written by José Luís Tinoco, about the Colonial War and 1974's Carnation Revolution. He finished in 16th place with 16 points (a surprising 12 points from Turkey) in a field of 19 performers. 

I ordered the single from a Portuguese seller, but he informed me that the wrong disc was inside the sleeve. As a consolation he would send me the sleeve for free. All I had to do next was buy the disc - and fortunately a cheap one without the sleeve was on offer by another seller. And so the set has become complete after all!

My collection: 7" single no. 6857
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 January (sleeve) & 4 February 2023
Tracks: 'Madrugada'  / 'Entre Espanha e o mar'

The wages of love - Muriel Day

For a long time this single was on my wish list. It's the last single that I needed to complete the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 - the legendary edition with four winners. The Irish entry by Muriel Day was hard to find, because there aren't many copies of the original Irish pressing for sale - and the few that are available are offered for ridiculous prices.

Enter Portugal. I bought a few singles from a Portuguese seller and he had a copy of the Portuguese pressing on offer. As you can see, it comes with an attractive - if confusingly coloured - picture sleeve. 'The wages of love' was one of the less successful entries of 1969, ending up in tenth place in a field of sixteen competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 6854
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 January 2023
Tracks: 'The wages of love' / 'Thinking of you'

Portugal no coração - Gemini

Although the Portuguese entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977 was performed by Os Amigos, the song was performed twice during the Portuguese national final - seven songs were performed by 14 performers. 

The other performers of 'Portugal no coração' were Gemini. They ended up in sixth place, and so didn't get the ticket to represent their country. They would be more lucky the next year, when they won the national final with the song 'Dai li dou'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6853
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 January 2023
Tracks: 'Portugal no coração' / 'Cantiga de namorar'

La, la, la [Italian version] - Joan Manuel Serrat

Joan Manuel Serrat was the original performer of 'La, la, la', before he was replaced by Massiel after he announced that he would only perform his song in Catalan - something that was unacceptable in Spain at the time. 

His refusal to perform the song in any other language at the Eurovision Song Contest is all the more amazing when you realize that he actually recorded the song in several other languages. And this is one of them: the Italian version of 'La, la, la'. And yes, it does matter, because despite the simple title of the song it does actually contain a few wordy verses.

My collection: 7" single no. 6852
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 January 2023
Tracks: 'La, la, la [Italian version]' / 'Poema d'amore'

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)

White face - Charta 44

The 10" format is an unusual one: sometimes it simply contains two or three tracks and it's just a bigger 7" single, and sometimes it's too small to be an LP but it still contains almost as much tracks. This release by the Swedish band Charta 77, released in 1988, falls into the latter category: with seven tracks, it's almost a full album.

Ricky Wilde's debut single 'I am an astronaut' was a big hit in Sweden. So much so, that various singers and bands have covered the song. It's the main reason why I wanted to have this 10" single, as it features Charta 77's version. It's quite heavy, like all the other tracks on this 10" single. Well worth a listen!

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 21 January 2023
Tracks: 'I am an astronaut', 'In circles', 'On the wall', 'Lottery of justice' / 'Can't stand it', 'Escape', 'Acid rain'

Uma flor de verde pinho - Carlos do Carmo

Some people think that, because it took them half a century to win the Eurovision Song Contest, Portugal never sent in worthwhile songs. Well, quite the contrary. Looking back, you can hear the most beautiful songs with delicious melodies. 

Take for instance 'Uma flor de verde pinho', the 1975 entry. In this ballad, singer Carlos do Carmo compares his love for his country with the love he would feel for a beautiful woman. He goes as far as to liken himself to Pedro I, famous in Portuguese history for his status as a lover. Sure, there are some nationalist tendencies here, but it was only less than two years since the dictatorship had been brought down, so who can blame them? As long as the music is this beautiful, who are we to object...

My collection: 7" single no. 6845
Found: Ebay, received 21 January 2023
Tracks: 'Uma flor de verde pinho' / 'Novo fado alegre'

Quel coeur vas-tu briser? - Geraldine

'Quel cœur vas-tu briser' was the Swiss entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967 in Vienna, performed by Géraldine Gaulier. The song is a ballad in which Géraldine asks a former lover whose heart he is going to break now that hers no longer beats for him. She tells him that she has forgotten him and asks him who will be the next victim of his false passions. 

This EP features four songs by Géraldine, and they are quite varied. 'Jimmy' features rather weird vocals, whereas 'Neiges de printemps' is actually a very nice song. As for the title track, it finished in last place with zero points - which pretty much tells you how most juries felt about this song. It's actually not that bad. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6844
Found: Discogs.com, received 20 January 2023
Tracks: 'Quel coeur vas-tu briser?', 'Jimmy' / 'Jour a jour', 'Neiges de printemps'

Bring me closer - Altered Images

Last year saw a re-emergence of Altered Images, with Clare Grogan recording a whole new album. Alas, no vinyl singles were released, and so we're left with the old singles instead. I have all of them, but I recently found out about three picture discs. One is the picture disc of 'Don't talk to me about love', which I bought a little over four years ago, and here is another one: 'Bring me closer'. It really is the weakest track of the three, because as I wrote back in 2009, this single doesn't seem to go anywhere for some reason. 

I only have to buy the picture disc edition of 'I could be happy' to complete the set, and I am sure I will do that pretty soon. But visually, this one is without a doubt the most beautiful one of the three. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6843
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 January 2023
Tracks: 'Bring me closer' / 'Surprise me'

Let's all chant - Michael Zager Band

I bought the single 'Let's all chant' a long, long time ago. This was when I was no longer sick of the track - because it had been played repeatedly in and after 1978. Almost three decades later and I find myself buying the 12" single, because I have to admit it's as infectious a disco track as they come. It's not hard to imagine radio DJ's having a good time while playing this. 

This 12" version does what all good extended versions should do: add to the track and not take out any relevant stuff, like remixers started doing towards the end of the 1980's. This is seven minutes of 'Let's all chant' - the way you like it.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 November 2023
Tracks: 'Let's all chant [extended]' / 'Traffic jam [extended]', 'Traffic jam (dub mix)'

Pytanie o siebie - Izabela Trojanowska I Zespół Budka Suflera

When I posted singles from Poland last month I finished with an EP by Izabela Trojanowska, so I thought it was nice to finish with her this month too. For some reason Discogs lists this EP as 'Pytanie o siebie', the first track on the B-side of this EP, so I had no choice but to follow their lead. 

On this EP Izabela collaborates with the band Budka Suflera, who ensure that the songs are slightly rougher. It's interesting to note that the tracks on the A-side are more rock-oriented, while the songs on the B-side are more synth-driven. It's almost as if it's a compilation of two singles pressed on one disc. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6842
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Nic Za Nic; Sobie Na Złość' / 'Pytanie O Siebie; Jestem Twoim Grzechem'

Słodkie Życie / S O S Dla Planety - Kapitan Nemo

Kapitan Nemo featured once before on this blog, with two accessible synthpop songs on the single 'Zimne kino'. This single was released prior to that one, so the music is quite similar and again very accessible.

Although this single clearly states an A- and B-side, it looks like the B-side 'S O S Dla Planety' was more popular, since it ended up in the Polish radio chart back in 1983, peaking at number 9. I have to say I prefer the A-side, but maybe that's just me.

My collection: 7" single no. 6841
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Słodkie Życie' / 'S O S Dla Planety'

Wspomnienia z pleneru - Kombi

I raved about the synthpop band Kombi a couple of times on this blog, and thus I am quite happy to present here the debut single of this band, released in 1979. It comes in a colourful Tonpress sleeve, although I am not sure if the sleeve belongs to the single since there is no mention of the band or song at all. 

'Wspomnienia z pleneru' means 'Outdoor memories'. It is an instrumental track with a beautiful melody line. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6840
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Wspomnienia z pleneru' / 'Przeciąg'

Zielono mi - Andrzej Dąbrowski

Andrzej Dąbrowski (born 13 April 1938 in Vilnius) is a Polish singer, drummer (jazzman), composer, journalist, photographer, and rally driver (Polish vice-champion in car rallies in 1957). A graduate of the Music High School in Kraków and the Instrumental Department of the State Higher School of Music in Kraków (in the percussion class of Józef Stojko).  

He made his debut as a jazz singer in 1965, and as a singer performing pop music in addition to jazz - in 1970. This EP, with the lead track 'Zielono mi' is a slightly eclectic mix of songs, finishing with the show tune 'Ol' Man River', from the 1927 musical 'Show boat'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6839
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Zielono Mi', 'Już Przyszedł Dzień' / 'Powrót', 'Ol' Man River'

Nie Wierz Nigdy Kobiecie - Budka Suflera

Budka Suflera is a rock group, formed in 1974 in Lublin (Poland). They released their debut album the next year, and they kept releasing albums on a regular basis to this day. They also released several singles together with Izabela Trojanowska, whose name also appears on this blog from time to time.

'Nie Wierz Nigdy Kobiecie' ('Never believe a woman') was released in 1982. It is a rock ballad, with lyrics written by Andrzej Mogielnicki, and the music was composed by Jan Borysewicz with the help of Romuald Lipka, although only the former is mentioned. The song was subsequently covered by Lady Pank, Krzysztof Krawczyk and Stachurski.

My collection: 7" single no. 6838
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Nie Wierz Nigdy Kobiecie' / 'Rok Dwóch Żywiołów'

Biały Krzyż - Czerwone gitary

Although most Polish singles I've posted here are from the Eighties, here is something from the Sixties. Czerwone gitary is a Polish rock/pop band, founded in 1965, which had its biggest outside success in the German Democratic Republic. In Poland known as Czerwone Gitary (Red Guitars), they performed numerous songs in German as well and consequently released them using a German name, Rote Gitarren. 

'Biały Krzyż' was released in 1968. Back then the band consisted of Seweryn Krajewski (guitar, keyboards, lead vocals), Bernard Dornowski (guitar, vocals), Jerzy Skrzypczyk (drums, vocals) and Krzysztof Klenczon (guitar, harmonica). Remarkably, their last album was released in 2015 and they are still touring.

My collection: 7" single no. 6837
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Biały Krzyż' / 'Deszcz Jesienny'

Szklana pogoda - Lombard

Lombard is another Polish band that has appeared on this blog before. Last month, it was their single 'Adriatyk, ocean gorący', and this time it's 'Szklana pogoda', also released in 1983 but not included on the album 'Wolne Od Cła'. This is perhaps explained by the fact that this single was released on the Polskie Nagrania label, whereas their other output appeared on Tonpress. But how am I to know... 

Anyway, 'Szklana pogoda' sounds very much like a new wave track, with synths and guitars fighting for your attention. It's an attractive slice of Eighties pop.

My collection: 7" single no. 6836
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Szklana pogoda' / 'Kto Mi Zapłaci Za Łzy'

Przytul mnie - Kombi

The band Kombi has appeared on this blog before, with the single 'Linia Życia' from 1983. It certainly sounded good, and this single, released in 1980, is another good example of what this Polish band is capable of. 

'Przytul mnie' ('Hug me') comes with sultry male vocals, something you might expect after reading the title. The music sounds like it is inspired by funk and disco. When you turn over the disc, you suddenly get a piece that leans more toward glam rock. And so my estimation would be that Kombi is an inspired band, offering a wide spectrum of music. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6835
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Przytul mnie' / 'Hotel twoich snów'

Krach - 2 plus 1

2 plus 1 were known as the "Polish Abba". They formed in the early Seventies and continued making music for decades in varying formations. Their music even reached other territories, which certainly during the Seventies and Eighties was not something that happened often to Polish bands. 

When you listen to this single, 'Krach', released in 1983, it's easy to see why: they created an infectious blend of disco and new wave - even if they came from folk rock beginnings. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6834
Found: Received 7 January 2023
Tracks: 'Krach' / 'XXI wiek'