Fernando en Filippo - Milly Scott

Although I already own a single of Milly Scott's 'Fernando en Filippo' (for 15 years, in fact!) I recently discovered that there are two different studio versions of the song. The other one is known as the 'slow' version, and this one is known as the 'quick' version. 

Comparing the two, it is certain that this version is quicker than the other one, and the instrumentation is different too. Quite why there are two versions, I don't know. But I guess the quicker version was recorded to make it more appealing. Or the slow one. I don't know.

My collection: 7" single no. 7408
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Fernando en Filippo' / 'Graag of niet'

Io si, tu no - France Gall

France Gall represented Luxembourg with 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son' at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965, and won. She went on to record the song in various languages. So far, I've been able to find the Japanese and German versions, and now there's the Italian version too.

This one comes in a  generic record company sleeve, but on the plus side: it's a promotional single. It's always a surprise to hear an artist sing in another language, and I think France does it well. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7407
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Io si, tu no' / 'Se agli amici dirai'

Weit, da wo der Strom beginnt - Robert Cogoi

I already have two singles of Robert Cogoi's 'Près de ma rivière': a regular 7" single and an EP. Both come with a picture sleeve featuring the same photograph of the singer. But he also recorded his song in German, and of course: that single also shows the singer in the same pose.

'Weit, da wo der Strom beginnt' is curiously hidden away on the B-side of this single; the A-side is actually 'Nur noch einmal nach Haus'. Sometimes record companies want to profit from a moment of fame (hence the red lettering on the sleeve) but they put unknown songs on the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 7405
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Nur noch einmal nach Haus' / 'Weit, da wo der Strom beginnt'

Aurinko laskee länteen - Viktor Klimenko

Viktor Savvich Klimenko (born 24 November 1942) is a singer who made himself known as the 'Singing Cossack'. He was born in Karelia, to a Russian Kuban Cossack father, Savva Klimenko, and a Russian mother, Olga Glotova. A few years after his birth, his family moved to Finland. There, he became a musician and appeared in several films, mostly appearing as himself. The Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was his first appearance outside of Finland; his song didn't earn any points in the competition.

It's a shame, because it is really a beautiful song. Of course the language is a bit impenetrable, but that shouldn't have kept the juries from actually listening. Maybe you can't blame them to go for the most catchy tune, but sometimes more effort is rewarded. 

This single comes in a transparent Philips sleeve, which is a rare thing to behold.

My colllection: 7" single no. 7404
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Aurinko laskee länteen' / 'Lapin taikarummut'

Sing Sang Song - Les Humphries Singers

Back in 2014 I bought 'Sing sang song', the Eurovision entry by the Les Humphries Singers from 1976. That was the original German version, and as I found out recently, there's also an English version. 

That one comes in an attractive picture sleeve, featuring the full line-up of the band - all thirteen of them! This edition comes from Spain, but the version was apparently released in various European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 7403
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Sing Sang Song [English version]' / 'Just sit down at the old piano'

L'amore va - Françoise Hardy

French star Françoise Hardy represented Monaco at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'L'amour s'en va' in 1963. Although she didn't win the contest, the song still became a bit of a standard. She also recorded the song in German as 'Die Liebe geht' and in Italian - which is the version I bought last weekend. 

'L'amore va' comes in an entirely different sleeve and I bought it from the same dealer from whom I bought the German version a year ago. That's why I love record fairs: sometimes you find people you can count on, and they always come up with the best goods.

My collection: 7" single no. 7402
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'L'amore va' / 'Il tuo migliore amico'

Dors, mon amour - André Claveau

'Dors, mon amour' was the first Eurovision song to be won by a male soloist. André Claveau (29 December 1911 – 4 July 2003) was a popular singer in France from the Fourties to the Sixties. Winning at the age of 46 years and 76 days made him the oldest winner of the contest until 1990, being the first and only winner prior to 1990 to triumph in their forties.

This EP presents four tracks by the singer, plus a picture sleeve. The French were quite quick to embrace picture sleeves, which makes this early Eurovision singles quite a nice thing to collect.

My collection: 7" single no. 7401
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 9 November 2024
Tracks: 'Dors, mon amour', 'Helena' / 'Le coeur en platre', 'Aie mon coeur'