Congratulations - The Mertens Brothers Style

The popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest is easily measured by the amount of cover versions certain songs get. Measured by that criterium, the Sixties and Seventies were certainly the peak of the Contest's popularity. 

'Congratulations', the number 2 song of the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest, was covered by various artists even in the same year. One of those cover versions was this instrumental one by the Mertens Brothers Style, a duo consisting of Albert and Theo Mertens. They recorded several trumpet-based instrumental albums and even one more Eurovision cover: 'Puppet on a string', which will appear in this blog someday as well I would think.

My collection: 7" single no. 6997
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 3 June 2023
Tracks: 'Congratulations' / 'Jingle march'

Jive talkin' - Bee Gees

Back in 2011 I put a lot of effort into finding old Bee Gees singles. They all ended up on this blog, but one famous song still eluded me: 'Jive talkin'', a song younger viewers might know from Boogie Box High, who covered this song in the Nineties (it was rumoured that George Michael lent his voice to that version).

The original version was a hit for the Bee Gees. They reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40. 

The original studio version was included on the soundtrack of 'Saturday Night Fever', as it was used in a scene that was cut from the final film. Later pressings of the album used the live version of 'Jive Talkin''; from the Bee Gees 1977 album, 'Here at last... Bee Gees... Live', due to contractual distribution changes. The CD version restores the use of the studio version. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6996
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 3 June 2023
Tracks: 'Jive talkin'' / 'Wind of change'

The free electric band - Albert Hammond

Sometimes I buy a single of a song that has already been called a classic numerous times. Often I never bought it before because it was played on the radio so often, back when I still owned a radio (during the Seventies, Eighties and early Nineties). 

Albert Hammond's 'The free electric band' is one of those songs. Heard this a lot back then, but not for over twentyfive years. It's a good song but I was getting a bit sick of it. The song reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 19 in the UK singles chart - his only hit in the UK!

My collection: 7" single no. 6994
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, 3 June 2023
Tracks: 'The free electric band' / 'You taught me to sing the blues'

Fool's paradise - Rosie Vela

The strange thing about collecting records is that you always discover something new. I thought I had every track by Rosie Vela when I bought this 12" single of 'Fool's paradise', featuring a 'new 12" mix'. All the other tracks appeared on the album 'Zazu' and the singles never presented other versions. 

Behind this single, the 7" version of that 12" single. It presents a 'new version' on the B-side, which like the 'new 12" mix' is remixed by Eric Thorngren. This, of course, is the UK 7" single which is different to the German 7" single I bought in 2009. It looks like my work is finally done on this artist now.

My collection: 7" single no. 6993
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 May 2023
Tracks: 'Fool's paradise' / 'Fool's paradise (new version)'

Worlds apart - Cock Robin

'Worlds apart' is arguably Cock Robin's best single overall, eclipsing their biggest hit 'The promise you made' easily as far as I'm concerned. The strange thing about the late Eighties is that many acts that were so popular during the earlier years of that decade suddenly couldn't interest the general public anymore despite still making great music.

Anyway, I own that single obviously, but here's a Spanish promo edition that has a different sleeve, only one playable side and the full length version of the track (instead of the edit that appears on the commercial single). A must have single. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6992
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 May 2023
Tracks: 'Worlds apart'

La canzone Italiana 41 - Claudio Villa

'La canzone Italiana' is, apparently, a series of 50 EP's presenting Italian songs, all released in 1970 - the year of my birth, incidentally. Some of them are interesting because they contain Italian Eurovision entries, although not all of them are included in the original versions.

This EP is a good example. All four songs are performed by Claudio Villa, who is an accomplished singer, but it was not him who performed 'Corde della mia chitarra' at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957; it was Nunzio Gallo. Still, I wanted this one because it's really hard to find Gallo's version on a 7" single. A cover version is better than nothing, I suppose!

My collection: 7" single no. 6991
Found: Discogs.com, received 12 May 2023
Tracks: 'Luna rossa', 'Addio, sogni di gloria!' / 'Serenata celeste', 'Corde della mia chitarra'

Promise - Voyager

It's time to give Australia some love. While the Finnish entry was certainly the winner and I quite liked some of the other songs, the Australian performance yesterday was awesome. The band Voyager staged an Eighties-themed show and added in some metal ingredients as well, while still presenting a very melodic song.

And then there's this very limited edition 7" single! Only 300 copies exist of this magenta-coloured vinyl (there's a black vinyl version, also limited to 300 copies as well). I managed to obtain number 30. The B-side, 'Dreamer', is pretty good as well. This is a band that impressed. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6990
Found: Band website, received 12 May 2023
Tracks: 'Promise' / 'Dreamer'

Burning daylight - Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper

The Dutch duo Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper have had so much filth thrown towards them in the Dutch media that I was wondering at some point why they even bothered going to Liverpool. They probably should have said to all those who were so critical that they should take their place. A little bit of support from your own country wouldn't be too much to ask for, wouldn't it?

The song was written by former Eurovision winner Duncan Laurence and his boyfriend Jordan Garfield, with additions by Loek van der Grinten and Mia & Dion themselves. Back in March the song reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40, and that was just before all the mayhem started. We know how it ended now: the duo performed in the first semifinal and got a lousy seven points, ending up in 13th place in their semifinal against 15 competitors, finishing in 32rd place (against 37 competitors) overall.  

My collection: 7" single no. 6989
Found: Platenzaak.nl, received 12 May 2023
Tracks: 'Burning daylight' / 'Burning daylight (instrumental)'

Hawaii - PiL

The annual disappointment of an undeserving winner - in my opinion and most of the televoters I could say this year - has happened last night and the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is history. But the whole thing actually already started with a disappointment!

It was announced, some months ago, that Public Image Limited, the band of ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon, would participate in the Irish national final. 'Hawaii' was a song dedicated to Lydon's wife who was suffering from Alzheimer's. It would have been quite fabulous to see PiL representing Ireland this year, but somehow the Irish chose for a middle of the road, 'once heard quickly forgotten' song by a young band. Well, at least there's this 7" single which presents the song in two versions. I didn't know Lydon was also a visual artist, but it was he who created the artwork. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6988
Found: Amazon, received 11 May 2023
Tracks: 'Hawaii' / 'Hawaii (edit)'

Because of you - Gustaph

Somewhere in the next few days (well, Thursday actually), Gustaph will perform in the second semifinal of this year's Eurovision Song Contest with 'Because of you'. Overused James Brown-samples aside, this is a decent song that deserves a place in the final, if you ask me.

I'm also impressed that finally, after many years, a Belgian entry has been released on a vinyl single again. It's time that record companies realize that Eurovision fans will buy any Eurovision track on a physical medium, and although only a handful of singles are being released these days, it is a promising sign that the Netherlands (yes, the Dutch song will also be released on 7"!) and Belgium are doing what they should. Hopefully there's more to come.

My collection: 7" single no. 6986
Found: Official website, received 4 May 2023
Tracks: 'Because of you' / 'Because of you (DJ edit)'

Caracola - Los TNT

During the Eurovision Song Contest 1964, Spain was represented by Italian-Uruguayan band Los TNT with the song 'Caracola', written by Fina de Calderón. The song was chosen through a national final, while the performers were chosen internally by TVE. They received a single point from Italy, coming 12th in a field of 16 competitors.

It's not easy to find a copy with a picture sleeve for a reasonable price. This single is the next best thing: a single in an official Belter record company sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 6987
Found: Discogs.com, received 6 May 2023
Tracks: 'Caracola' / 'Camino de la felicidad'

Non ho l'eta per amarti / Près de ma rivière

This single could only be bought by those who bought Expo Bread, in Belgium during the Sixties. This combination of music and bread is one I didn't know before, but apparently it was quite successful, as this single was number 45 in a series. Without exception the singles contained cover versions of existing songs, and in the case of this single both are Eurovision tracks from 1964: the winning song and the runner-up. 

'Non ho l'eta' was the Italian winning song, and the Belgian entry 'Près de ma rivière' ended up just behind it. On this single the songs are performed by Patricia Smith and Eric Richard respectively, together with Jack Say's orchestra. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6984
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 May 2023
Tracks: 'Non ho l'eta per amarti' (Patricia Smith) / 'Près de ma rivière' (Eric Richard)

Walking the streets in the rain - Butch Moore

If you want to buy singles of Irish Eurovision entries, you're likely to find lots of Dana, Linda Martin and the unavoidable Johnny Logan. The really good songs are much harder to find. The very first Irish Eurovision song from 1965, for example, is almost impossible to find. A copy with a picture sleeve will set you back €75, apparently, so you're lucky to find a disc in a generic disc for a lower price. And so, that's what I did.

'Walking the streets in the rain' is one of the best Irish Eurovision entries ever: a ballad with lyrics that set a scene almost immediately. You can almost picture the singer walking in the rain and crying. There was fierce competition that year, but the song still ended up in sixth place in a field of 18 competitors. Butch Moore (10 January 1938 - 3 April 2001) enjoyed a successful career in Ireland until he emigrated to the USA in 1970. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6983
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 May 2023
Tracks: 'Walking the streets in the rain' / 'I stand still'

Old man fiddle - Pihasoittajat

Finland has regularly stunned Eurovision audiences with eccentric entries. This year's 'Cha cha cha' is reasonably modern, but I wonder if Pihasoittajat wasn't totally out of step when they performed this in 1975. 

'Od man fiddle' is the English version of 'Viulu-ukko', the song they won the Finnish national final with. Thanks to the relaxed language rules that year they could at least perform in English, and so they didn't totally bewilder the juries. 'Old man fiddle' reached seventh place in a field of 19 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 6982
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 May 2023
Tracks: 'Old man fiddle' / 'Summer call'

Don't give in - Snow Patrol

Sometimes when you wait long enough records become affordable. Take for instance this 10" single from Snow Patrol, released on Record Store Day in 2018. It features only two tracks, but it was pressed on off black colour recycled vinyl in commemoration of International World Earth Day 2018. Hence the price target of almost 20 euros. 

However, during the last record fair I visited, a stack of these records were on sale for only 5 euros. Obviously that was what I was waiting for. I like Snow Patrol, but not so much that I am willing to shell out 20 euros for two tracks. 5 euros? Better.

My collection: 10" single [unnumberd]
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Don't give in' / 'Life on earth'

Don Quixote - Nik Kershaw

It's hard to resist a beautiful picture disc, and some great ones were released in the Eighties. Not that this one is particularly stunning, because it simply recreates the picture sleeve of the regular single, but the photograph does warrant a picture disc edition nonetheless.

According to Nik Kershaw: "The lyric that ended up as 'Don Quixote', was actually 'Gorgonzola'! So I was walking about the house singing 'gor-gon-zola' all day long, trying to think of a lyric. Basically the music was a sort of Samba thing, which reminded me of Spain, and Don Quixote happened to come to mind so I thought, 'Why not write a song about Don Quixote?'. So I went and bought the book."

My collection: 7" single no. 6978
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Don Quixote' / 'Don't lie'

In the name of love - Thompson Twins

It has to be said that I already own the music on this single, as I bought the European edition in 1985. It was on red vinyl too. But it's hard to resist an original UK pressing, especially when it comes in the original picture sleeve. And so I got this single, which is a bit of a repeat of the one I've owned for almost four decades now.

At the time of the release of this single, Thompson Twins were a septet, consisting of Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, Joe Leeway, John Roog, Chris Bell, Peter Dodd and Matthew Seligman. Only the first three would go on to release the very successful album 'Into the gap' in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 6977
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'In the name of love' / 'In the beginning'

Wot! - Captain Sensible

Captain Sensible achieved his only chart hit in the Netherlands in the last weeks of 1982 with the single 'Wot!', a track that featured the female backing singers Dolly Mixture. 

According to Captain Sensible, the song came to be when he was in the USA during a tour with the Damned. He heard this horrible pounding sound coming from outside at 5am. It was coming from a building site and as it was so early and he wanted to sleep in the hotel, he recorded the noise to make a complaint. He played it to the reception, informing them that it was disgusting and a ploy to upset British bands, and he was trying to get some sleep, and they just said, "Have a nice day". Nothing was done and he got no sleep. When he returned to the UK, he played the tape to Tony Mansfield who took the tape and created a loop (backing track) from it within about 10 minutes. This sound loop formed the basis of the song. The loop can be heard clearly at the beginning and near the end of the song. 

'Wot!' reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 26 in the UK singles chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6976
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Wot!' / 'Strawberry dross'

Love lies lost - Helen Terry

I bought a copy of Helen Terry's 'Love lies lost' 13 years ago and I wrote about it on this blog. (I can't believe it's been around for that long, actually!) The single was a minor hit in the UK but it was also Helen's only hit. 

Then last weekend I suddenly found a copy of the single's picture disc. It's always hard to resist a beautiful picture disc and especially when it's only 1 euro. And so of course I snapped it up. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last Helen Terry release I'll ever buy.

My collection: 7" single no. 6975
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Love lies lost' / 'Laughter on my mind'

Goodbye cruel world - Shakespears sister

The single 'Goodbye cruel word' was actually released twice. I didn't know that before, but I bought this single and then discovered the other one that was already in my collection. And so the blurb I wrote before actually refers to this single from 1991, while the one I wrote about in 2009 was actually a re-release from 1992.

This would explain the different B-side: this single has the non-album track 'Black sky' on the flipside, whereas the re-release features an album track instead. I found out about all this thanks to purchasing this single, which proves yet again that record buying is a learning experience. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6974
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 22 April 2023
Tracks: 'Goodbye cruel world' / 'Black sky'