Tot bloedens toe - Frank Boeijen

The Dutch singer Frank Boeijen has continued his career to this day, but 'Tot bloedens toe' is the last of his singles that was released on 7" vinyl. As such it is a true rarity, because it is rarely offered for sale. The only chance to grab hold of a copy is to hunt for it online - and even then it is not easy. 

This single had been on my wantlist for four or five years, and suddenly, earlier this month, one copy was offered for sale. Naturally I had to buy it. The single features a rather ugly single edit (fading out much earlier than the album version) and a beautiful B-side. It is certainly worth a listen, even if you don't understand Dutch.

My collection: 7" single no. 6788
Found: Discogs.com, received 14 October 2022
Tracks: 'Tot bloedens toe' / 'Stormvogels'

The mummers' dance - Loreena McKennitt / Only if... - Enya

This Italian promo brings together two ethereal artists. Loreena McKennitt is a Canadian singer who made a career out of recording Celtic folk music, owing to her Irish and Scottish descent. 'The mummers' dance' was a track from her 1997 album 'The book of secrets'. Her music by then was often compared to the work of Enya. 

And that's funny, because this promo features an Enya track on the B-side. 'Only if...' was released as a new track on the compilation album 'Paint the sky with stars', also in 1997. The song was only released on a 7" in the USA and on this Italian promo. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6785
Found: Discogs, received 8 October 2022
Tracks: 'The Mummers' dance' (Loreena McKennitt) / 'Only if...' (Enya)

Al di la - Betty Curtis

Only two Italian Eurovision songs were still missing from my 7" singles collection, and this one was one of them. 'Al di la' was performed by Betty Curtis in the 1961 edition, and the single is very difficult to find - especially if you prefer a picture sleeve. They are for sale, of course, but only if you are willing to pay up to €50 for it. And I am not that crazy.

I was therefore very happy when I found a listing of the single with an original record company sleeve. It is the next best thing. CGD released this single back in 1961 and it's great to have an original CGD sleeve with this disc. It almost completes my Italian Eurovision singles collection. Now I just need that elusive 'Corde della mia chitarra' by Nunzio Gallo. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6783
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 October 2022
Tracks: 'Al di la' / 'Vicino a te'

Ich sehe dich weinen - Bobby Solo

The Italian song for the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was performed by Bobby Solo and was called 'Se piangi, se ridi'. At the time, it wasn't unusual for artists to record their songs in different languages, and Bobby was no exception. He recorded his song in French and German.

I was lucky enough to find a copy of the German version online, for a price that wasn't too ridiculous. The title, 'Ich sehe dich weinen', is not a direct translation of the Italian original. Two pressings of this version exist: a Swiss one and a Dutch one. This is the Dutch one.

My collection: 7" single no. 6772
Found: Discogs.com, received 31 August 2022
Tracks: 'Ich sehe dich weinen' / 'Buon giorno, signorina'

Der Tingler singt für euch alle - Jürgen Marcus

The only other single I have of Jürgen Marcus is 'Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment', the song he performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976. This single, with a slightly different cover, is the German version of that song. Back in the early days of the Contest it was not unusual to record songs in different languages - it improved the chance of a hit in different territories. Besides, Jürgen, as his name indicates, was better in speaking German than he was in speaking French. 

The search for this single wasn't exactly easy, because most people ask more for it than it's really worth. But I found a bargain, and that's always nice. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6779
Found: Discogs.com, received 1 October 2022
Tracks: 'Der Tingler singt für euch alle' / 'Nur Liebe zählt'

This wheels on fire - Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & the Trinity

'This wheels on fire' was originally written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko and recorded by The Band in 1967. In 1968, a version by Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and the Trinity became a hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. With its use of distortion, phasing, the evocative imagery of the song's title and the group's flamboyant dress, this version is closely associated with the psychedelic era in British music. 

The song was also covered by Siouxie and the Banshees, and I bought that single back in 1996. I never bought the Driscoll version, partly because I thought I already had it. But I didn't, and I found out when I came across this copy. It is a German double single featuring four tracks by the band. I needn't really have bothered because aside from the first track this isn't really the kind of thing I take pleasure in listening to, but it's good to finally have this track nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 6778
Found: Discogs.com, received 1 October 2022
Tracks: 'This wheels on fire' / 'Road to Cairo' // 'Save Me, part 1', 'Tramp'