Showing posts with label Eurovision Song Contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eurovision Song Contest. Show all posts

Wednesday 13 March 2024

Eurovision - Telex

I have a big subcollection of Eurovision singles and within that subcollection there's another subcollection: 12" singles of Eurovision songs. You'd be surprised how many 12" singles of Eurovision songs actually exist, and many have already featured on this blog anyway. But one eluded me, and I consider it the ultimate Eurovision 12" single: it's 'Eurovision' by Telex.

It's quite a rare one, because it was only released in the USA as a promotional disc. But it contains an extended version of that song, and as far as I know this version has never been released anywhere else. I've had to search for this one for quite a long time, and I am really glad to finally have it. Even if I had to have it sent over from Canada!

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received 9 March 2024
Tracks: 'Eurovision [extended]' / 'Dance to the music', 'Twist a Saint-Tropez'

Saturday 2 March 2024

I'll come back - Dora

Another Spanish promotional single went into my collection, and it's an interesting one for sure. It's got only one playable side and it features the English version of 'Voltarei', titled 'I'll come back'.

'Voltarei', of course, was released in 1988 when Dora represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest. Quite why the Spanish decided to choose the English version instead of the Portuguese one is a mystery to me, especially because this promotional single is housed in the original sleeve - meaning that 'Voltarei' is announced at the front and 'I'll come back' at the back. Curiosities like this make me very happy.

My collection: 7" single no. 7140
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 February 2024
Tracks: 'I'll come back'

Thursday 29 February 2024

La, la, la - Filippo Carletti Quinteto

When Spain won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1968 with  'La, la, la' by Massiel, other acts were quick to jump on the bandwagon. One of those acts was the Filippo Carletti Quinteto, consisting of Francesco Costa (bass, vocals) Erasmo Palmieri (vibraphone, organ, vocals) Carlo Piazza (guitar, vocals) and Joaquín Liebanas (drums) and of course the titular Filippo Carletti. 

What's interesting, is that this single also contains a Spanish version of 'Nous vivrons d'amour', the entry from Luxembourg that year. Quite why they chose that song instead of one of the other songs that competed that year I don't know. But it certainly adds to the attractiveness of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 7137
Found: Discogs.com, received 28 February 2024
Tracks: 'La, la, la' / 'Nuestro amor'

Tuesday 20 February 2024

Tom Pillibi - Les petits chanteurs a la croix de bois

Les petits chanteurs a la croix de bois ('The little singers with the wooden cross') are a Christian boys choir. It was founded in 1907 and the choir is still active at present. Through the years the choir recorded a few dozen albums and more than a few singles.

This particular single is a bit of a rarity, because of its connection to the Eurovision Song Contest. The choir performs a version of 'Tom Pillibi'. As far as I could find out, the choir didn't record any other Eurovision-related songs. Another interesting addition is a version of 'La mer', performed with its original performer Charles Trenet.

My collection: 7" single no. 7127
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 February 2024
Tracks: 'Tom Pillibi', 'L'enfant au tambour' / 'La mer'

La, la, la - Los Stop

After the EP 'Festival Eurovision 1967', Los Stop were back the next year with an EP featuring a Eurovision song. This time, they recorded a cover version of the winning song 'La, la, la' - coincidentally a Spanish entry. The other three tracks have no connection to the Contest.

Los Stop continued to release singles and EP's until 1975. 'La, la, la' remained the last Eurovision-related song they released.

My collection: 7" single no. 7125
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 February 2024
Tracks: 'La, la, la', 'La grua' / 'Yo te dare', 'Toledo'

Tom Pillibi - Terry van Ginderen

Esther Van Ginderen-Verbeeck (8 September 1931 – 30 January 2018), also known as Tante Terry (Aunt Terry), was a Belgian Flemish-speaking television presenter and businesswoman. She was best known as a host of children's TV shows, often alongside Bob Davidse, better known as Nonkel Bob (Uncle Bob).  Their best known show was 'Kom toch eens kijken'. 

Besides television Terry van Ginderen also recorded a handful of singles. In 1960 she recorded a Flemish version of 'Tom Pillibi', the song that had won that year's Eurovision Song Contest. The lyrics weren't translated literally but the content of the song stays virtually the same.

My collection: 7" single no. 7126
Found: Discogs.com, received 8 February 2024
Tracks: 'Tom Pillibi' / ''t Staat in the sterren'

Sunday 4 February 2024

Refrains - Cora Vaucaire

Cora Vaucaire was a French chanson singer, born 22 July 1918 in Marseille (France) and died 17 September 2011 in Paris (France). She recorded over a dozen singles and a handful of studio albums. She was known for singing songs from the middle ages, but this single is a bit different.

It features a cover version of the very first winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest, 'Refrain' by Lys Assia. I was particularly impressed, upon receiving this single, that it is absolutely flawless: the sleeve is in mint condition, the disc is flawless as well. That's pretty astonishing for a single from 1957. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7119
Found: Discogs.com, received 2 February 2024
Tracks: 'Refrains' / 'Gregory'

Piano piano - Mariella Farré & Pino Gasparini

Switzerland won the very first Eurovision Song Contest, but after that... nothing. For decades they tried and tried, but nothing ever became as successful. When you listen to some of those entries, you understand why: it regularly borders on the inane.

This entry from 1985 is a good example. 'Piano piano' is a good show tune, but couldn't compete with some of the other songs in that year's edition (although it still amazes me that the boring 'La det swinge' won that year). The song was performed by Mariella Farré and Pino Gasparini. Gasparini was previously on the Eurovision stage with the Pepe Lienhard Band in 1977, and Farré in 1983 with 'Io così non-ci sto'. This new attempt was rewarded with a mediocre 12th place. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7118
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 January 2024
Tracks: 'Piano piano' / 'Donna'

Macedomienne - Philippe Lafontaine

Philippe Lafontaine (born 24 May 1955) spent a short time in a Jesuit college that he left at 17 to pursue a career in music.His first successes came from the writing and recording of jingles for television commercials, including Stella Artois and Coca-Cola. The song 'Cœur de loup' was his first big hit and launched his career. 

In 1990 he represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in Zagreb with his own composition 'Macédomienne', dedicated to his Macedonian wife, ending in 12th place. Although a limited edition of singles was pressed - featuring only one track; the B-side remained empty - Lafontaine famously smashed the matrix of the disc, proclaiming that he didn't want the song to be commercialized. And so, this 7" single of 'Macedomienne' became a true collectors item, since only these promotional singles were ever made. Obviously these singles now command extremely high prices, but I still managed to buy a copy. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7117
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 January 2024
Tracks: 'Macedomienne'

Sunday 28 January 2024

Melodie einer Nacht (T'en vas pas) - Esther Ofarim

With 'T'en vas pas' Esther Ofarim represented Switerland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963. I bought the single in January 2020, just before the whole Covid thing had its way with the world. 

I didn't know at the time that Ofarim also recorded her song in German. I was happy to find a copy of 'Melodie einer Nacht' along with a few Eurovision CD-singles in the Discogs account of one of my oldest and best known dealers. Here's to good old Bea Records!

My collection: 7" single no. 7114
Found: Discogs.com, received 19 January 2024
Tracks: 'Melodie einer Nacht (T'en vas pas)' / 'Komm doch zu mir'

Wednesday 10 January 2024

Populaire Hoogtepunten Op-De-Plaat Van 1960 - Concertgebouworkest o.l.v. Dolf van der Linden

The esteemed orchestra of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw recorded many things, mainly classical music, but in 1960 they filled two EP's that were sold during a record promotion week in the Netherlands. One EP was devoted to classical music (of course), the other to a more popular genre. This is the latter.

The orchestra plays a medley (well, two, actually) of popular songs, of which Domenico Modugno's 'Piove' is one, and Jacqueline Boyer's 'Tom Pillbi' is another. It's very interesting to hear a more classical rendition of these two Eurovision songs. It's a good deal, too: if you bought this for 1 guilder (approx. 45 eurocents these days, but more like 5 eurocents if you take inflation into account) you got this EP with almost 15 minutes of music!

My collection: 7" single no. 7113
Found: De Schatkamer, Leidschendam, 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Sleighride in Alaska, Tom Pillibi, Piove, Marina, Kriminal Tango, Una Marcia in Fa' / 'Kleine Lucienne, Morgen, Elisabethan Serenade, Mack the Knife, Petite Fleur, Milord'

Accordeon Potpourri no. 41 - The 3 Jacksons

In December 2021 I bought two singles by the 3 Jacksons; one because of their version of 'Abergavenny', and one because of their version of 'Nel blu dipinto di blu'.This month I added one more single by this accordeon-crazy group, because of their inclusion of no less than two Eurovision songs in the 41st potpourri. 

'Piove' opens the proceedings, and it is followed by 'Sing little birdie'. Both songs were performed in the 1959 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. I wouldn't say that I am exactly a fan of music on accordeons, but this single is a nice curiosity nonetheless.

My collection: 7" single no. 7112
Found: De Schatkamer, Leidschendam, 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Piove, Sing Little Birdie, Una Marcia in Fa' / 'Tom Dooley, Mandolins in the moonlight, Li per li'

Tuesday 9 January 2024

Tom Pillibi - Les Scarlet

Back in 1960, Jacqueline Boyer won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Tom Pillibi'.You wouldn't think so these days - Loreen's 'Tattoo' came and went and no other artist even tried to cover the song - but back then artists were scrambling all over the place to record their own versions of songs that won the Contest.

Les Scarlet was a French girl group that was quick to try their hand at the song, using the services of an orchestra directed by James Award. It isn't necessarily a very original take on the song - with the exception of the intro that starts with a nice harmony from the girls.

My collection: 7" single no. 7110
Found: De Schatkamer, Leidschendam, 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Tom Pillibi' / 'Rossel Cadet'


Friday 5 January 2024

Mile after mile - Jahn Teigen

Although Jahn Teigen wasn't exactly successful with his 'Mil etter mil' at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1978, he did record the song in English. It was surprisingly difficult to get this single for a reasonable price, even online. In the end, I wound up buying this copy together with three rarer Norwegian singles from a Norwegian seller late last year.

Jahn even recorded the B-side 'Claudius' in English. This copy was made in Norway; the single was also released in Germany with a different sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 7107
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Mile after mile' / 'Claudius'

Småting - Grethe og Benny

'Småting' is a Norwegian pop song that won the Melodi Grand Prix 1972, and was Norway's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest the same year. The melody and lyrics were written by Kåre Grøttum and Ivar Børsum, and the song was performed by Grethe Kausland (3 July 1947 - 16 November 2007) and Benny Borg (born 13 November 1945 in Gothenburg). The song is a ballad, where the duo compares the great successes of human life ("inheriting a castle, landing on the moon") with small things, such as watching the sunset, which they sing are higher experiences.

In the international final, the song received 73 points, placing it 14th out of 18 contestants. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7106
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Småting' / 'Har du noengang'


Kom sol, kom regn - Inger Jacobsen

'Kom sol, kom regn' is a Norwegian ballad that won the Melodi Grand Prix 1962, and was Norway's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest the same year. The song was sung by Laila Dalseth in the Norwegian final, and by Inger Jacobsen in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song was composed by Kjell Karlsen, with text by Ivar Andersen.  

In the song, Jacobsen sings about her feelings for her lover and says that "come sun, come rain" she will always be happy when she is with him. In the international final, the Norwegian entry received 2 points and came in joint tenth place among 16 participants. This was Norway's worst position in the competition until then. Inger Jacobsen was born in Christiania on 13 October 1923 and passed away on 21 July 1996 in Oslo.

My collection: 7" single no. 7105
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Kom sol, kom regn' / 'N
å har jeg gjort hva som gjøres kan'

Stress - Odd Børre

The new year started with the receipt of an order I placed with a Norwegian seller. Four rare singles finally came to me after a delay of about a week (thanks, Dutch mail!). The first of the four was Odd Børre's 1968 Eurovision entry 'Stress', a song so fast that it actually could cause stress. The song starts with the lines "Must must must must must hurry up / Go go go go go go so I can / Now now now now last bus home / Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha that's right / Good good good good good don't forget to / Take, take, take, take sleeping pills / Small doses are good, need to relax a bit / Turn on your radio, you're asleep". In Norwegian, of course!

Odd Børre Sørensen (born on 9 August 1939) was a Norwegian pop singer. He retired from full-time professional singing in 1970 and became an insurance company agent (although he did perform in the Norwegian national finals in 1971 and 1977 and was one of the judges in the 1978 final). After retiring in the early 2000s, Odd Børre teamed up again with Kjell Karlsen and performed with him.  Børre died on 28 January 2023, at the age of 83.

My collection: 7" single no. 7104
Found: Discogs.com, received 3 January 2024
Tracks: 'Stress' / 'Jeg har aldri vært så glad i noen som deg'

Wednesday 27 December 2023

Tattoo - Loreen

Winning the Eurovision Song Contest is always controversial. In 2022 the winner was chosen by the viewers - the overwhelming majority of votes for the Ukrainian band came from televoters - and some complained that the jury should have done more to have a winning song based on its quality, not pity for the country that sent it in. This year, the winning song was based on the jury's votes, and suddenly the critics went the other way: the televoters should have had a bigger say in the eventual outcome. My own position has always been the same: no matter who decides, it's never the best song that wins. If anything, much more attention should have been given to the Latvian band Sudden Lights. 

Anyway, Swedish singer Loreen went away with the prize, even though her singing was more like screaming and the act with the toaster became tiresome after a few views. Fortunately it doesn't sound as bad on record. This picture disc was released at the tail end of 2023, and the B-side features the new single 'Is it love', which is a bit more subtle.

My collection: 7" single no. 7094
Found: Platenzaak.nl, received 23 December 2023
Tracks: 'Tattoo' / 'Is it love'

Friday 22 December 2023

Soerabaya / Junge Komm Bald Wieder / Bachelor Boy - De Accordo's

Released in 1963, this single features two medley's of popular songs from that time, as performed by the Accordo's, apparently a Dutch group although this single seems to have been made in Germany.

Not that I suddenly became a fan of music played on accordeons, but the B-side medley features a bit of 'Uno per tutte', the song which was performed by Emilio Pericoli at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963. In other words, it's another cover version of a Eurovision song, and so an interesting addition to my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 7082
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 22 December 2023
Tracks: 'Soerabaya / Junge Komm Bald Wieder / Bachelor Boy' / 'Uno Per Tutte / Limbo Rock / Blame It On The Bossa Nova'

Saturday 9 December 2023

Vi gratulerer - Kirsti, Oddvar og Arne

1968 was a famous year in Eurovision history: Cliff Richard, who seemed destined to win the competition with his song 'Congratulations', was beaten by a young singer called Massiel with the deceptively simple-sounding 'La, la, la'. This single by Kirsti, Oddvar and Arne presents both songs, with Norwegian lyrics provided by Arne Bendiksen.

The trio Kirsti Sparboe, Oddvar Sanne and Arne Bendiksen didn't just record this single: they also released the singles 'Hver Lördag En Fest' (1967) and 'Du Er Det Aller Kjæreste Jeg Har' (1965), the latter of which contained a Norwegian version of the Beatles' 'Yesterday'.

My collection: 7" single no. 7084
Found: Discogs.com, received 6 December 2023
Tracks: 'Vi gratulerer' / 'La, la, la'

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Advertising