Giving you the best that I got - Anita Baker

Anita Baker's 'Sweet love' is a beautiful soul song, and after I bought it I came across this limited edition box set, released some time after that single. The box set only included the single and a poster, which made you think a poster sleeve could also have been an option - but perhaps a box set made more of an impression in the UK stores in 1988. 

The song itself is, unfortunately, not as good as 'Sweet love'. At least, that's what I think. I've had this set for a few decades now but I am letting go of it, along with a handful of other singles. If you're interested, check out my Discogs inventory. 

My collection: 7" single no. 2454
Found: Record fair, Leiden, 2 September 1995
Tracks: 'Giving you the best that I got' / 'Good enough'

Et bonjour à toi l'artiste - Nicole Rieu

Back in November 2014, I bought 'Et bonjour à toi l'artiste', the French Eurovision entry from 1975 by Nicole Rieu. As I wrote back then, she recorded her song in no less than six languages. One of these was Japanese. 

'Soyokaze no okurimono' appears on the B-side of this Japanese single. Normally it is prohibitively expensive to order Japanese singles because of the postage costs involved, but I found this copy on Discogs from a French seller. That made it a lot easier to decide to buy this one. After all, we don't hear Eurovision songs in Japanese often enough. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6830
Found: Discogs.com, received 5 January 2023
Tracks: 'Et bonjour à toi l'artiste' / 'Et bonjour à toi l'artiste [Japanese version]'

Oração - António Calvário

Most people would think that the first ten years of the Eurovision Song Contest were pretty dull. Well, except my father, who thought that all the music made after the 1950's was bad. I grew to appreciate the music of the Fifties and Sixties later in life, and I have grown a pretty impressive Eurovision collection of singles as you can see on this blog. 

A recent acquisition is this Portuguese song from 1964. António Calvário sang 'Oração' ('Prayer') and recorded an EP with three more songs. Like most Portuguese songs, it didn't win but ended up in 13th place among 16 participants. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6829
Found: Discogs.com, received 4 January 2023
Tracks: 'Oração', 'Notre dame d'amour' / 'Alma de boémio', 'Tricana'

I am not afraid - Black / Angel eyes (Home and away) - Wet wet wet

This single represents the last Italian promo featuring a song by Black, completing my series of three. It was released in 1987 when a little UK band called Wet wet wet were making a name for themselves with the track 'Angel eyes (Home and away)', which I consider to be a terrible song because of those weird vocals. 

As for 'I am not afraid' by Black, the track is, of course, called 'I'm not afraid', but what's interesting about this single, is that the label says it has a duration of 3 minutes and 30 seconds, whereas in reality the track goes on for the full five minutes. That is a good thing, of course, because the single edit, which is found on this single, which was released commercially, is one of the worst single edits in the history of mankind.

My collection: 7" single no. 6828
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 January 2023
Tracks: 'Angel eyes (Home and away)' (Wet wet wet) / 'I am not afraid' (Black)

Chequered love / Kids in America - Kim Wilde

Obviously I have a lot of Kim Wilde singles, as you can see here, but I am a sucker for rare pressings - and boy, this really is a rare one. Made in the Philippines, it features 'Chequered love' on the A-side and, strangely, 'Kids in America' on the B-side. 

What's also interesting, is that this single features the classic 'EMI' logo on the label. Although Kim was signed to RAK records in the UK, and RAK is actually mentioned on this label, the Philippines probably didn't use the RAK artwork on their records at all. 

The single came in a generic white sleeve. If anyone is reading this in the Philippines, I am quite interested in the sleeve that would have been on this one originally - most probably a record company sleeve or something!

My collection: 7" single no. 6827
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 January 2023
Tracks: 'Chequered love' / 'Kids in America'

La la la (deutsch gesungen) - Massiel

Massiel's 'La la la' is often cited as one of the most inane Eurovision winners, because of the title and chorus of the song. Still, if you listen to the verses and the music in the background, you get to appreciate the song more. Personally I have grown to appreciate this song more than Cliff's 'Congratulations', which is actually a less challenging song. 

When I saw this copy in the shop I didn't initially think I should have it, until I saw the little red banner in the lower right corner. Deutsch gesungen? I didn't know Massiel recorded this song in German. It was a no-brainer: of course I had to have this single. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6825
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'La la la (deutsch gesungen)' (Massiel) / 'Spanish step' (Orchester Roberto Delgado)

Figure of eight / Ou est le soleil? - Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney has released a lot of singles during his career. So many, that he decided to release an expensive box set last year, featuring no less than 80 7" singles. There was, of course, a price to match: you could only get the set if you were willing to fork out about 600 euros. That's about 7,5 euros per 7". 

I got this 7" for considerably less. The weird thing about this single is that the B-side (or the AA-side, as it is declared on the disc) is much better than the title track 'Figure of eight'. 'Ou est le soleil' is an inspired piece of throwaway pop, produced by the inimitable Trevor Horn. More tracks like this would have been welcome!

My collection: 7" single no. 6824
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Figure of eight' / 'Ou est le soleil?'

Always look on the bright side of life - Monty Python

On the last day of 2022 I got that urge. You know, the urge to visit a record shop and buy some vinyl. Unfortunately there aren't that many shops where I live - blame the internet for that - and so I had to go to the only shop that offers some interesting second hand singles in the area. There's always something there if you're desperate enough to buy something. 

This classic single by Monty Python was a bit of a surprise find. The song is familiar enough, but I don't think I've seen the single that much. My favourite line of the song is "Life's a piece of shit / When you look at it", and it pretty much sums up my view on life in general. I wasn't really intent on owning this single, but it was a nice find nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 6823
Found: 33|45 records, Den Haag, 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Always look on the bright side of life' (Monty Python) / 'Brian' (Sonia Jones)

Tschau, tschau Bambina - Peter Alexander

Domenico Modugno had a hit on his hands when he sang 'Piove (Ciao ciao bambina)' in 1959 at the Eurovision Song Contest. He probably didn't realize this when he failed to win that edition (the prize went to the Netherlands instead) but there are many cover versions of his song, and it must have earned him a fortune.

One of those cover versions was released the same year by Austrian singer Peter Alexander. He was born on 30 June 1926 and died on 12 February 2011.During his life he released almost 100 albums and twice as many singles. 'Tschau, Tschau Bambina' was a beautiful, sentimental version of that Italian song. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6822
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Tschau, tschau Bambina' / 'Hol den Peter'

Zwei blaue Vergissmeinnicht - Rex Gildo

Ronnie Carroll represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest sixty years ago with 'Say wonderful things', ending up in fourth place. Still, the Contest being what it was in those early years, it caused him to have a hit around Europe and several artists got the idea to cover his song.

The German singer Rex Gildo recorded a version in German, entitled 'Zwei blaue Vergissmeinnicht'. It wouldn't be his only Eurovision adaptation, either: in 1976 he recorded 'Küsse von dir', a version of Brotherhood of Man's 'Save your kisses for me'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6821
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Zwei blaue Vergissmeinnicht' / 'My Sonny I love you'

Jennifer Jennings - Louis Neefs

Not so long ago, I acquired the French version of 'Jennifer Jennings' by Louis Neefs. Only two more versions to go, I wrote back then, and I was lucky enough to find the German version recently - and for a low price too! Obviously I had to order a couple more singles to make the postage worthwhile, but this was a very good catch. Certainly when it was described as 'very good', which on a scale towards 'very good +', 'near mint' and 'mint' is not something to write home about. Imagine my surprise when I actually received this one: it is nearly flawless! Okay, so there's a name and address written on the back of the sleeve, but it's the front of the sleeve that counts - and obviously the disc itself which is in a very good state, as you shall hear. 

Only one more version to go! Oh, those Italians... I hope there will be a generous one out there.

My collection: 7" single no. 6820
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 December 2022
Tracks: 'Jennifer Jennings (deutsch gesungen)' / 'I love you'

If you need me now - Alan Sorrenti

I bought the single 'Non so che darei' back in 2010, as part of my subcollection of Eurovision singles. Little did I know that the song was actually released on a 12" single as well. 

This 12" single was released in France only, and featured extended versions of both the English and Italian versions of the song. 'If you need me now' is the English version of 'Non so che darei' and appears on the A-side of this 12" single.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 18 August 2022
Tracks: 'If you need me now [extended version]' / 'Non so che darei [extended version]'

Where are you - Imaani

Truth be told, I don't really like the 12" single format. I have sold a lot of them through the years just to make space for other things and generally I think it's much more efficient to have the same tracks on a CD-single, which takes up a lot less space. 

But sometimes tracks don't appear on that format, and I have to buy the 12" single anyway. These two remixes of Imaani's 'Where are you' never appeared on CD and so this 12" single is the only way to acquire them. They are relevant, of course, because 'Where are you' was the Eurovision song for the UK in 1998 and I just happen to love remixes of Eurovision tracks. When they are done right - and these are done just about right.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, 3 August 2022
Tracks: 'Where are you (Blue Icon's vocal club mix)' / 'Where are you (Blue Icon's lost piano mix)'

Destination - DT8 feat. Roxanne Wilde

It's not the first time that 'Destination' features on this blog - I bought a 12" single of this track many years ago and it was posted here twelve years ago. However, several different 12" singles of 'Destination' exist, each with their own remixes of the track. 

This particular one is a white label 12", featuring the original version of the track as well as remixes by Woody van Eyden and Trinity X. Even if dance music isn't your thing, the vocals of Roxanne Wilde - sister of Kim - truly lift this track up. 

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 August 2022
Tracks: 'Destination (Original)' / 'Destination (Woody van Eyden remix)', 'Destination (Trinity X remix)'

The man with the child in his eyes - Kate Bush

If the sleeve of this single looks unfamiliar to you, you might not be familiar with the phenomenon of 'different sleeves for different countries'. This copy of Kate Bush's 'The man with the child in his eyes' comes from Poland, and the record company Tonpress decided on a completely different sleeve design in comparison to its Western European colleagues.

I ordered this single especially because of this different sleeve. I've been aware of it for years, but singles like this command unusually high prices. Fortunately, this particular copy was not as ridiculously priced.

Interestingly, the same photograph was used on the sleeve of the Yugoslavian pressing of the accompanying album, 'The Kick Inside'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6819
Found: Discogs.com, received 24 December 2022
Tracks: 'The man with the child in his eyes' / 'Moving'

Genghis Khan - Genghis Khan

The German group Dschinghis Khan was very successful with their song of the same name. So much so that they created an English version called 'Genghis Khan'. 

What I didn't know was that they also released an extended version of this English version. What's more, this extended version was only released in Australia. It took me a while to find a copy at a half-decent price, but I finally managed to find one - but it still had to be flown in from Australia. The 12" version adds a couple of choruses and comes in a standard record company sleeve. It should have been an Astor record company sleeve, but I'll take the CBS one as a beautiful substitute.

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 December 2022
Tracks: 'Genghis Khan' / 'Desert land'

Przyda Się Do Kartoteki - Izabela Trojanowska & Stalowy Bagaż

The Polish rock band Stalowy Bagaż was founded at the beginning of 1981 in Wrocław. They disbanded in 1983. In 1981 they recorded this EP together with Polish singer Izabela Trojanowska. She would go on to record the single 'Brylanty' the next year, which I thought was a bit more sophisticated than this collection of straight rock songs. But then, I've always had a thing for keyboards.

This EP completes the set of Polish singles I received from my friend in Poland. It was an interesting ride and I've discovered quite a few things about Polish music that I didn't know. My favourite of the eleven discs has to be the one by Kombi. Which is hardly a surprise, as this one is the most futuristic sounding. For the early Eighties, that is.

My collection: 7" single no. 6818
Found: Received 21 November 2022
Tracks: 'Przyda się do kartoteki', 'Na bohaterów popyt minął' / 'Pieśń o cegle', 'Czysty zysk'

Adriatyk, ocean gorący - Lombard

The Polish band Lombard formed in 1981. Bandleader Grzegorz Stróżniak is composer, arranger, and vocalist who also plays the keyboards. For over 35 years, he has given the band its original pop-rock character, combining expressive guitar sound with a full range of keyboards and electronics. In the first decade of its activity, Lombard cooperated with many instrumentalists and two vocalists: Wanda Kwietniewska and Małgorzata Ostrowska, who then decided to pursue their solo career. In 1999, Marta Cugier became the band’s lead singer. 

The band boasts a number of well-known and well-liked hits. This single, 'Adriatyk, ocean gorący' ('Adriatic, hot ocean') was released in 1983 and also included on their second studio album 'Wolne Od Cła'.

My collection: 7" single no. 6817
Found: Received 21 November 2022
Tracks: 'Adriatyk, ocean gorący' / 'Dwa Słowa, dwa Światy'

Wciąż bardziej obcy - Lady Pank

Lady Pank is a popular Polish rock band, started in 1981 in Wrocław by Jan Borysewicz and Andrzej Mogielnicki. Their first hit was Mała Lady Punk ('Little Lady Punk'). The band's most popular songs are: 'Tańcz głupia, tańcz' ('Dance, stupid, dance'), 'Mniej niż zero' ('Less than zero'), 'Wciąż bardziej obcy' ('More and more of a stranger'), 'Kryzysowa narzeczona' ('Crisis fiancée'), 'Zamki na piasku' ('Castles on the sand'), 'Tacy sami' ('Just the same'), 'Zostawcie Titanica' ('Leave the Titanic alone') and many more. 

In 1983 alone, the group performed live 369 times. The same year they released this single, 'Wciąż bardziej obcy' ('Still more alien'). After another three years the total number of live shows grew to over 800, a record at the time in Poland. On November 30, 2000 Lady Pank played a jubilee concert in Wrocław, celebrating the group's 18th birthday. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6816
Found: Received 21 November 2022
Tracks: 'Wciąż bardziej obcy' / 'Zamki na piasku'

Zamieniam Się W Psa - Perfect

Two years after they released the EP 'Chcemy Być Sobą', Perfect came up with the single 'Zamieniam Się W Psa' ('I'm turning into a dog'), taken from their 1982 album 'Unu'.

That album was released in late 1982, in a period when martial law was introduced in Poland. A year later, Perfect released their first live album. Subsequently, they disbanded, only occasionally appearing on stage – in 1987, 1989 and in the early 1990s, when they toured in the United States twice. Before 2021, the band wanted to do a farewell tour, they released their last single 'Głos' in 2020 and started touring all across Poland. On the 27 April 2021, Grzegorz Markowski announced via the Facebook page of his daughter that his health was going down. The rest of the band said they would play on "for Grzegorz". That never happened. Instead, a few weeks later the band disbanded.

My collection: 7" single no. 6815
Found: Received 21 November 2022
Tracks: 'Zamieniam się w psa' / 'Dla zasady nie ma sprawy'