Dutch singer Nadieh had a hit with her second single 'Windforce 11', taken from her debut album 'Land of Tá'. Peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40, it had a lasting impression on the general public. The album was awarded music prizes in 1987.
Nadieh would continue to make music until the early Nineties, but then retreated from the stage and concentrated on writing songs for other (Dutch) artists instead. On April 5, 1996, Nadieh died after a battle with cancer.
My collection: 7" single no. 5684 Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Windforce 11' / 'Does it really matter'
Kathy Kirby was born as Kathleen O'Rourke on October 20, 1938. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's 'Secret Love' and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in second place.
Her song 'I belong' was chosen during a television broadcast on January 29, 1965. All six songs feature on this EP, although 'I belong' was rearranged for the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Naples on March 20. While Kirby performed a very contemporary hit song, she was beaten by France Gall who performed an even more modern tune.
My collection: 7" single no. 5681 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'I'll try not to cry', 'Sometimes', 'My only love' / 'I won't let you go', 'One day', 'I belong'
Portuguese singer Dora (full name: Dora Maria Reis Dias de Jesus) represented her country twice: in 1986 with 'Não sejas mau para mim' and in 1988 with this song, 'Voltarei'. Like many Portuguese entries at the Eurovision Song Contest, they weren't very successful. The former ended up in 16th place, and the latter finished in 18th place.
The single features both the Portuguese version and the English translation, 'I'll come back'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5682 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Voltarei' / 'I'll come back'
Scottish singer Kenneth McKellar was born on June 23, 1927 and studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen, then trained at the Royal College of Music as an opera singer. He went on to sing traditional Scottish songs.
In 1965, the BBC selected him to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. This EP features all five songs that were performed during the national final. The song 'A man without love' was chosen for him to perform at Eurovision. It finished ninth in a field of 18 competitors, which was actually the UK's worst placing for a long time - until 1978. McKellar died of pancreatic cancer on April 9, 2010.
My collection: 7" single no. 5683 Found: Discogs.com, received December 12, 2014 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'As long as the sun shines', 'Country girl', 'A touch of the Tartan' / 'A man without love', 'Comes the time'
I started this year with an entry about David Bowie, so I thought it would be appropriate to end the year with Bowie as well. He surprised everyone - again - with his latest offering, 'Sue (Or In a season of crime)'. The single was released on 10" vinyl only, so no cd-singles, 7" or 12" at all. The track also appeared on his latest compilation, 'Nothing has changed'. But does the world really need yet another Bowie compilation album? I guess record companies still like to cash in with old stuff.
'Sue' is a weird offering, as it sounds a lot like jazz and it can seem a bit tedious, being such a long track. But repeated listening is rewarding. Bowie keeps changing, even if nothing much has changed.
My collection: 10" single [unnumbered] Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014 Cost: 8 euro Tracks: 'Sue (Or In a season of crime)' / ''Tis a pity she was a whore', 'Sue (Or In a season of crime) (edit)'
Chocolate, Menta, Mastik ('Chocolate, mint, gum') was an Israeli female musical trio, active in the Seventies, composed of Yardena Arazi, Ruthie Holzman and either Tami Azaria (1972-1973) or Leah Lupatin. The trio performed both in Israel and Internationally, especially after being the 1976 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in The Hague with 'Emor Shalom'.
Founded in 1948, Israel was a 28-year-old country in 1976, giving the line "I've been alone for almost thirty years" an extra meaning- since it gained independence Israel was isolated in the Middle East, surrounded by hostile Arab countries (Egypt and Jordan signed peace agreements with Israel since then).
At the close of voting, it had received 77 points, placing 6th in a field of 18 competitors. This single presents the German and English versions of their song.
My collection: 7" single no. 5680 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Komm' heut zu mir' / 'Say hello'
Blue Danube was an Austrian band that has represented their country in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest. Their song 'Du bist musik' ('You are music') was filled with names of famous composers and certain types of music. The band consisted of Marty Brem, Wolfgang 'Marc' Berry, Sylvia Schramm, Rena Mauris and Wolfgang Weiss.
'Du bist Musik' received 64 points, placing 8th in a field of 19 competitors. The group split up after Eurovision, but Marty Brem reappeared solo on the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Austria with 'Wenn du da bist'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5679 Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Du bist Musik' / 'Du bist Musik (instrumental)'
