No time to die - Billie Eilish

One 7" single of 'No time to die' was not enough. Coinciding with the cinema release (finally, after almost two years!) of the latest James Bond movie and the strange event that is called Black Friday came this limited release of 'No time to die'. Billie Eilish mumbles her way through two alternative versions of her James Bond song: one recorded live at the Brit Awards earlier this year, and the other is the 'original demo'. 

It's remarkable how this girl never manages to pronounce any words clearly, as if she's afraid to let us hear the lyrics of her songs. The sleeve follows her lead: there is almost no contrast. The track names are printed dark grey on black, and this is what we have to work with. What on earth were they thinking? Well, at least here's another addition to my subcollection of James Bond themes.

My collection: 7" single no. 6553
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 1 December 2021
Cost: -
Tracks: 'No time to die (live at the Brit awards)' / 'No time to die (original demo)'

From Russia with love - Matt Monro

'From Russia with love' is one of the great forgotten Bond themes, performed in 1963 by Matt Monro. It was named after the second James Bond movie, based on Ian Fleming's Cold War thriller. I have always loved the old Bond theme songs, because they were so beautifully orchestrated and sung by classic artists.

I rediscovered this song, actually, when it was performed live by Colin Vearncombe a.k.a. Black, not long before his sudden and untimely death in 2016. (One of these performances can be enjoyed on YouTube.) 

It certainly isn't easy to get hold of all those early Bond songs, but I came across this pristine copy and it was an opportunity I couldn't pass on.

My collection: 7" single no. 6552
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 1 December 2021
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'From Russia with love' / 'Here and now'

Emotional rescue - The Rolling Stones

The Bee Gees did it, Prince would also do it, and Mick Jagger tried his hand at it too: singing in falsetto. The song is notable as one of the earliest songs by the group to show the growing rift between Jagger and Richards. Although Richards plays guitar and added backing vocals towards the end of this track, he is believed to have disliked the disco-like direction in which Jagger was trying to take the band, although this may have been exaggerated by the media.

Jagger said the song was about "a girl who's in some sort of manhood problems", not that she was going crazy but she's "just a little bit screwed up and he wants to be the one to help her out". The song became a fairly big hit for the Stones, peaking at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 6551
Found: 33|45 Records, Den Haag, 1 December 2021
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Emotional rescue' / 'Down in the hole'

De speeldoos - De Selvera's

The Selvera's were a Dutch duo from Weert that repeatedly reached the top of the Dutch charts in the Fifties and Sixties and sold more records than many rock and roll artists. The Selvera's consisted of the sisters Mieke (1937-2000) and Selma Jansen (1931-2019). 

In 1963 they released this cover version of the song 'Speeldoos', originally performed by Annie Palmen. Unlike previous singles 'Twee reebruine ogen' and 'De postkoets', which were immensely popular in 1956 and 1957 respectively, this single failed to capture the imagination of the record buying public. Mieke turned to acting quite quickly after this release, Selma tried to continue the Selvera's with other partners but this didn't reverse the career downturn. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6550
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received 30 November 2021
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'De speeldoos' / 'Dans met mij' 

'n Beetje - Sonja Oosterman

A single that is credited to 'Sonja Oosterman, Cees Vanos, vocals with the Festival Five, under direction of Dick Schallies' demands some further explanation. All four tracks appear to feature the Festival Five under direction of Dick Schallies - they provide the music. The vocals are provided by Sonja Oosterman on three of the four tracks, whereas 'Who knows why' is sung by Cees Vanos. 

''n Beetje' was chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest when this single was created, hence the "Nr. 1 Dutch finale Eurovision Song Contest 1959" which you can read on this sleeve. The song would, of course, go on to win the Contest. The one and only mystery remains: why was  this single, aimed at the Dutch market and even part of a "Dutch Fono Club" made in Germany? Answers on a postcard please... (or below)

My collection: 7" single no. 6549
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received 30 November 2021
Cost: €1
Tracks: ''n Beetje', 'Ied're dag met jou' / 'Ja of nee', 'Who knows why'

Le chant de Mallory - Les compagnons de la chanson

Les Compagnons de la chanson were a French vocal group from Lyon, France, founded during World War II. Before 1946, they were part of a larger choir, the Compagnons de la musique. In 1946, they recorded a French language song, 'Les trois cloches' along with Edith Piaf. Rewritten in English as 'The three bells', they managed to reach the UK singles chart in October 1959, peaking at number 21. 

This EP features a cover of the French entry to the 1964 Eurovision Song Contest, 'Le chant de mallory', originally performed by Rachel. Through the years I've seen this single numerous times, but I never saw it this cheap. It was part of an online order of singles which were only €1 each - a price you can't beat.

My collection: 7" single no. 6548
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received 30 November 2021
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'Le chant de Mallory', 'Le refuge de tes bras' / 'Belle petite ville', 'En d'autres mots'

Volare - Frank Valentino

Everyone and their mother has recorded a version of 'Nel blu dipinto di blu', better known as 'Volare'. Originally performed by Domenico Modugno at the 1958 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, the song never won the Contest but is arguably the best known - and most covered - song to ever come forth from this event.

Frank Valentino tried his hand at the song in 1991. The Belgian singer was born on 3 September 1957. His biggest success has been in the early 1990s, doing vocals on a dance remake of the song 'Stand by me'. His take on 'Volare' isn't even that bad; it has been given a 'modern' twist (or whatever went for 'modern' back in 1991 anyway!) The single actually entered the Belgian chart on 3 August 1991 and peaked at number 31 during a 6 week chart run. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6547
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received 30 November 2021
Cost: €1
Tracks: 'Volare' / 'Afscheid'