This Christian Lorant remains a mysterious figure, since he doesn't appear on the sleeve and he only released this one single. Needless to say, this single wasn't a hit and it has become a bit of a curiosity. There are actually more cover versions of the song; these may appear in this blog in the future yet.
My collection: 7" single no. 6452
Found: Discogs.com, received 23 September 2021
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'A la folie ou pas du tout' / 'Madame'
In 1966 she was chosen to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song, 'Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel' ('A little pepper, a little salt') deals with the singer's quest to impress the object of her affections, whom she sees every day but can't make look at her twice. In desperation, she enlists the help of "the local sorceress", who gives her a recipe to create a love potion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the potion does its job. Tonia also recorded the song in Dutch, then under the title 'Een beetje suiker' ('A little sugar'). The song finished in fourth place in a field of 18 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 6451
Found: Discogs.com, received 23 September 2021
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel' / 'Tu pourrais m'emmener danser'
I was lucky to find a copy on the Dutch website Marktplaats, because everywhere else this single commands rather high prices. I didn't actually know the song but I have to say it is a charming piece.
My collection: 7" single no. 6450
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received 20 September 2021
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Waarom' / 'Eens'
An EP of this song featured a cover version of the song 'Catherine', which was performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969 by Romuald, who represented Luxembourg. That song was subsequently also released as a single in Japan. Although I am still looking for the original version by Romuald, I thought it would be nice to own this cover version.
Daniele moved to Japan in the early 1970s and lived there for several years, while also releasing many singles over there. In 1980 Vidal married musician Shibata (Japanese name: 柴田功) of the Japanese group sounds band Chaco & Hell's Angel. They had one son and later divorced. Vidal now lives in France.
My collection: 7" single no. 6449
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 September 2021
Cost: £2.99
Tracks: 'Catherine' / 'Je suis comme toutes les filles'
That 12" single was the first 12" single I ever bought, and now, forty years later, I found a Japanese 7" single featuring 'On and on and on' on the A-side. Strangely, it is coupled with 'The piper', which was the B-side of 'Super trouper' in the rest of the world. As always, this Japanese single is a thing of beauty and in almost impeccable state, despite all the decades that passed since its release.
My collection: 7" single no. 6448
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 September 2021
Cost: £2.99
Tracks: 'On and on and on' / 'The piper'
For the longest time I have been searching for a copy of the single but it is very hard to find - if you're not willing to pay an unreasonable price. So imagine my surprise when I recently stumbled on a Japanese pressing of this single for just £3.99! You would even think it was a bad copy, but both the disc and the sleeve are in pristine condition. Add to that the fact that I really love Japanese singles, and you can imagine that I am pretty happy with this single.
My collection: 7" single no. 6447
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 September 2021
Cost: £3.99
Tracks: 'L'amour est bleu' / 'Le soleil a quitte ma maison'
France Gall only recorded a French and Japanese version of the song, as far as I know, but quite why she recorded the song in Japanese remains unknown. We do know, however, that the song was covered numerous times and in no less than 20 different languages. Thank you Wikipedia!
My collection: 7" single no. 6446
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 September 2021
Cost: £7.99
Tracks: '夢みるシャンソン人形 日本語盤' (France Gall) / 'ドナ・ドナ・ドーナ 日本語盤' (Claude François)
