Mama - Kim Appleby

Basically I was looking for a UK copy of Kim Appleby's 'Mama' because recently I have acquired UK versions of her other singles as well. When I found this copy I was surprised to find a review stuck to the front cover and a sticker correcting the track listing on the back cover. Turns out this is a promotional copy of this single - and quite an interesting one, too.

While the commercial version of 'Mama' contains the earlier single 'Don't worry' on the B-side, this single contains the acoustic version of 'Mama' on the B-side. It was no problem to part with one euro to get this disc into my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 6044
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 20, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mama' / 'Mama (acoustic version)'

Liberty town - Perfect Day

After the single Jane, Perfect Day released 'Liberty town', a track produced by Ricky Wilde. I managed to find this single during last Saturday's record fair in Utrecht, not long after finding 'Jane' with the same dealer.

Released in January 1989, it fared slightly better than its predecessor, but still didn't manage to get into the UK singles top 40. The band released two more singles before packing it in.

My collection: 7" single no. 6034
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Liberty town' / 'On the right side'

Absolutely immune - Act

Claudia Brücken and Thomas Leer formed Act after Brücken left her previous band Propaganda. 'Absolutely immune' was released as the couple's second single, after the hit single Snobbery and decay. This single didn't reach the chart, unfortunately.

It is a pity that Act broke up after the release of their debut album. Judging from the contents of this single, they could have released much more interesting tracks. 


My collection: 7" single no. 6045
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Absolutely immune' / 'Bloodrush'

Keep me warm - Carita

I have acquired many Eurovision Song Contest singles through the years, especially in the last few years. The more I have collected, the more obscure the new additions get. I'd never seen the 1974 entry from Finland before last Saturday - and now I saw this single with two different dealers during the Utrecht record fair. I bought this single the first time I saw it, which is just as well since the other dealer asked two more euros for it.

Carita Elisabeth Holmström was born on February 10, 1954 in Helsinki. She represented Finland with the song 'Keep me warm'. She finished in 13th place in a field of 17 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 6043
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Keep me warm' / 'Shadow on the wall'

Revolutions - Jean Michel Jarre

'Revolutions' was the ninth studio album by French synth wizard and composer Jean-Michel Jarre, first released in August 1988. The album spans several genres, including symphonic industrial, Arabian inspired, light guitar pop and ethnic electro jazz. The album reached number number 2 in the UK charts, Jarre's best chart position since 'Oxygène'. The majority of the album was played with a Roland D-50 synthesizer, with the majority of sound programming gathered from custom sound banks, compiled into a single bank and later released for French Keyboards magazine

This single presents an edited version of the album's title track, backed with the entire 'part 2' of 'Industrial revolution' as it appears on the album. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6047
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Revolutions' / 'Industrial revolution: part 2'

Pomme pomme pomme - Monique Melsen

Luxembourg is a small country, which is why it is allowed to attract artists from other countries to represent it during the Eurovision Song Contest. In the history of the Contest, only eight native Luxembourgians have represented their own country. One of them was Monique Melsen, born on February 24, 1951 in Ettelbruck.

In 1971 she sang 'Pomme pomme pomme' ('Apple apple apple'), a song about eating an apple. Yes, this is how simple a song can be. Doing so reminds her that it is spring, which causes her to wonder if she will find love during that season, or whether she will only find 'the snake'. The song finished on 13th place, in a field of 18 contestants.

My collection: 7" single no. 6041
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Pomme pomme pomme' / 'Fa fa fa'

Make it with you - Bread

Hard to believe, but the Bread song 'Make it with you' was recorded by only two people: Mike Botts (drums) and David Gates (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass & strings). Gates also wrote the song. It was released in June 1970 and became their first top 10 hit in the USA, peaking at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The single also did well in the UK (where it peaked at number 5), Canada (number 2), New Zealand (number 6) and Australia (number 7). In France, where the single I bought was made, it didn't chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 6036
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Make it with you' / 'Why do you keep me waiting'

Shake - Andrew Ridgeley

As one half of the duo Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley has been much maligned after he and George Michael went their separate ways. It was often said that he didn't bring much more to the duo than his looks. History has shown that there was more to the story than that - without Andrew, George might never have become the pop star he became.

When you listen to this single, you may understand where all the criticism came from. 'Shake' really isn't a very good song and Andrew's vocals sound too lightweight for what should sound like a rough, tough track. I bought the single out of curiosity, although I did vaguely remember what it sounded like - but the poster sleeve was too nice to resist.

My collection: 7" single no. 6039
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Shake' / 'Hangin''

Un día, un niño - Frida Boccara

One of the most beautiful Eurovision melodies of the Sixties must surely be 'Un jour, un enfant' by Frida Boccara. She was one of four winners in the 1969 edition, together with the Spanish, Dutch and UK entries.

Boccara recorded the beautiful ballad in five languages: the original French version, English, German, Italian - and this Spanish version. It is not easy to find these versions for a reasonable price, so I was happy to snap up this Spanish single for the tiny amount of 1 euro.

My collection: 7" single no. 6037
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Un día, un niño' / 'Bella de dia'

Jane - Perfect Day

In the mid-Eighties, Perfect Day was formed by Mark Jones (vocals), Kevin Howard (guitar), Andy Wood (bass) and Mark Stott (drums). After recording a demo they were picked up by London Records in 1987. They released their debut single 'Jane'  in the summer of 1988. The track was produced by Christopher Neil, with additional production and remix by Ricky Wilde. This is, of course, why I became interested in this particular release.

The single was not a chart success, but the band did manage to get a small fan following quite quickly. A fanclub was even formed before they ever made a chart appearance, which is an interesting feat for any band.

My collection: 7" single no. 6035
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jane' / 'Preying on my mind'

The way you are - Tears for fears

The single 'The way you are' by Tears for Fears was released as a 'stopgap' between their first and second album. The song was actually recorded for the purpose of releasing a single, something the band looks back on with a certain amount of regret. In 2014, Curt Smith commented: 'We got over it and managed to go on and have more success despite that song. It’s one of those things that we can’t take it back, but we wish we hadn’t done it.'

Personally, I think it's one of the band's more interesting single releases. With all the percussion going on, it's a very amusing track to listen to. Which is why I was glad to find this promotional 7" single. It features the (regular) 'long version' and a (rare) 'short version'. Basically, the short version just fades out half a minute earlier, but still, it's a nice find.

My collection: 7" single no. 6032
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The way you are (short version)' / 'The way you are (long version)'

Sobe, sobe, balao sobe - Manuela Bravo

Maria Manuela de Oliveira Moreira Bravo, (known as Manuela Bravo) was born in Queluz (Sintra) on December 7, 1957. She made her first public apperarence when she was only 5 years old in Cinema Éden. When she was 15 years old, she released her first single with two songs composed by José Cid, 'Nova Geração' and 'Another Time'.

In 1979 Manuela Bravo won the Portuguese national final for Eurovision with the song 'Sobe, sobe, balão sobe' and represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest. She finished in 9th place in a field of 19 competitors. When you listen to this single now, the song sounds a bit dated.

My collection: 7" single no.  6031
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Sobe, sobe, balao sobe' / 'Meu tempo novo de viver'

Here today, gone tomorrow - The Duskeys

The Irish family pop group The Duskeys represented Ireland at the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. Formed after the break-up of Sandy Kelly's (real name Philomena Ellis) touring showband The Fairways, she recruited her sister Barbara Ellis and Welsh cousin Nina Duskey. In 1980, they released their debut single, 'Don't feel like dancing'. In 1981 they competed in the Irish national finals for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Where does that love come from' under the name The Duskey Sisters. They finished in third place.

A year later, they tried again and recruited a male member in the shape of Nina's brother, Dan Duskey. Their song 'Here today gone tomorrow' won the national finals, and so they competed on the Eurovision stage. They ended up in eleventh place. The song was heavily reworked for its single release and became a hit on the Irish charts, reaching number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 6030
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Here today, gone tomorrow' / 'Here today, gone tomorrow (instrumental)'

Que bueno, que bueno - Conchita Bautista

'Qué bueno, qué bueno!' was the Spanish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965, performed in Spanish by Conchita Bautista. This was Bautista's second appearance on the Eurovision stage, in the 1961 Contest she had performed Spain's very first entry, 'Estando contig', then placing ninth in a field of 16.

In 1965, Bautista came through a very convoluted selection process to win the national finals in the end with 'Qué bueno, qué bueno!'. On the Eurovision stage, the song was performed third on the night. At the close of voting, it had received the dreaded nul points, 0 points, placing 15th (equal last together with Germany, Belgium and Finland) in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 6029
Found: Discogs.com, received April 10, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Que bueno, qué bueno!', 'Yenca flamenca' / 'Reina por un dia', 'Tienes duende'

Pop corn - Gershon Kingsley and the Moog

So here it is, finally.... the original version of 'Popcorn', the synth-pop instrumental composed and performed by Gershon Kingsley. You have seen and heard many cover versions of this tune on this blog, but the original was only released on 7" vinyl in a few countries. This is the Spanish single, ordered last week from Spain.

Composer Gershon Kingsley (born on October 28, 1922 and apparently still alive) first recorded 'Popcorn' for his 1969 album 'Music to Moog By'. In 1971 the track was re-recorded by Kingsley's band 'First Moog Quartet', later he released a version under the name of The Popcorn Makers, this was the version that was the most successful in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 6028
Found: Discogs.com, received April 10, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Pop corn' / 'For Alisse Beethoven'

Vita vidder - Family Four

In 1971 Sweden was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest by Family Four. With the song 'Vita vidder' they managed to get to sixth place in a field of 18 competitors.

Family Four consisted of Berndt Öst, Marie Bergman, Agnetha Munther and Pierre Isacsson. They went on to represent Sweden again the next year, with the song 'Härliga sommardag'. Marie Bergman was no stranger to Eurovision after this: she returned to the Eurovision stage together with Roger Pontare in 1994.

My collection: 7" single no. 6027
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro 
Tracks: 'Vita vidder' / 'Heja mamma'

Ein Hoch der Liebe - Wencke Myhre

Wencke Myhre was born on February 15, 1947 in Kjelsås, Norway, and became a popular singer after signing her first recording contract at the age of 13. In 1964 and 1966 she participated in the Norwegian national finals for Eurovision, but in the end she appeared on the international Eurovision stage for Germany with the song 'Ein Hoch der Liebe' ('A toast to love'). The song ended up in sixth place in a field of 17 competitors.

After her Eurovision appearance, she managed to have four more top 10 hits in Germany between1969 and 1978. Myhre tried her luck in Norwegian national finals again in 1982 and 1983, and finally in 2009.

My collection: 7" single no. 6025
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ein Hoch der Liebe' / 'Jägerlatein'

Popcorn - Hot Butter

My copy of 'Popcorn' by Hot Butter, described on this blog ten years ago, wasn't very interesting to look at for its lack of a picture sleeve. I think I have compensated for that now.

I recently ordered a promotional 7" single of Kim Wilde's 'View from a bridge' from Japan (Do I really have to describe all my Kim Wilde singles on this blog? I have decided not to) and found this Japanese copy of 'Popcorn' for just a few dollars extra. I decided to buy this one as well, just because my 'Popcorn' collection is something I am particularly proud of. It may not be a complete collection, but this single is rare enough to want to own it.

My collection: 7" single no. 6023
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'At the movies'

4 bugg & en coca cola - Lotta Engberg

Lotta Engberg was born on March 5, 1963 and represented her country Sweden in 1987 with the song 'Boogaloo'. The song was originally called '4 bugg & en coca cola', but international advertising rules meant that the name of the song had to be changed. The song was a hit in Sweden and peaked at number 19, and it ended up in twelfth place in Eurovision, in a field of 22 competitors.

She appeared in national finals for Eurovision in 1984, 1988, 1990, 1996, 2002 and 2012, but failed to return to the international Eurovision stage. Together with her husband Anders she formed Lotta & Anders Engbergs orkester in 1989. Lotta left the band five years later to form her own Lotta Engbergs orkester. This band fell apart in 2002. Lotta has also been a successful TV host, presenting Lotta på Liseberg and Bingolotto on Swedish television.

My collection: 7" single no. 6026
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '4 bugg & en coca cola' / 'En helt ny dag'

Colorado (international version) - Xandra

On June 6, 2017 Sandra Reemer passed away following a long battle with breast cancer. She had a long and interesting career, not least because she appeared at the Eurovision Song Contest three times, representing the Netherlands. The last of her appearances was the 1979 song Colorado, which I bought as a single in 2002.

That single featured the Dutch version. The single featured here today was also released at the time, featuring a version in English. Like the Dutch version, this one was written and produced by the brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland.

My collection: 7" single no. 6024
Found: Discogs.com, received March 28, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Colorado' / 'Stranger in town'