Jamaica, can I have your votes please? pt. 2

Note: This is a Eurocovers post from 2006. I made some changes and added a bit and moved it to the top.
You'll find links to the Youtube (audio) versions of some songs uploaded by other people who I wish to send a big THANKS here.

Here's some more stuff from Jamaica.
Most Jamaican recordings I found are by male singers.

There are hardly any versions by female singers and I think this reflected the state of the Jamaican music business in the 60s and 70s.
And if I find something with a girly name (Lynn, Ambelique) they turn out to be men too.

pic from discogs

A popular record is 'All kinds of everything' by Peggy and the Cimmarons. Her version of the 1970 Irish winner by Dana  has a sort of upbeat feel which is both charming and innocent. (Youtube audio)

I think it's at least as good as the original.
The original 7"inch single features the vocal version and an instrumental (Dub) version by Carl Levey (Levy) and the Cimmarons  (Dub Youtube Audio)
(Trojan TR 7752, Jamaica 1970)
The single was released in several other countries too, sometimes only mentioning Peggy or spelling Cimmarons as Cimarrons.

Another Irish winner that got the reggae makeover is Johnny Logans 1987 song 'Hold Me Now' by Tanya Stephens. (Youtube audio). Again, the b-side is a dub version of the song.
(BMR records 7024, made in Jamaica, 1987)
I found this track on a compilation album 'Pure Lovers' (Jetstar Phonographic records) and it was also released on a Tanya Stephens 12"inch single.

Fermena Edwards
Fermena - Come what may (Après toi, Luxembourg 1972)
 + b-side dub version by Fermena and Ranny

- 7"inch single (PAMA PM 839, UK) (Youtube Audio)

Fermena - Wonderful Dreams (Tu te reconnaitras, Luxembourg 1973)
 + b-side dub version by Ranny Williams All Stars
- 7"inch single (PAMA PM 879 UK)
The subtitle is Erestu (on the label), which is odd, as that was another song from the 1973 contest.
Fermena is Fermena Edwards from Jamaica. Only three singles are known, and two are Eurocovers of Luxembourgian winners.

P.S. A

Here's some more versions by female singers from Jamaica.
A full post on elusive Jamaican singer Elaine Baker and her Puppet On A String is here.
Plus on LP Soul And Ska (Island ILP 968) by Joyce Bond there's a 'Puppet on a string', the 1967 winner orginally by Sandie Shaw.

Also check out:
Jamaica can I have your votes please part 1
Year Of The Puppet: Ken Boothe
Year Of The Puppet: More From Jamaica
Elaine Baker, Where are you now?
John Holt Obituary

P.S. A Jamaican interpretation of Riki Sorsa's Reggae O.K. still has to be found………

VII: The Year Of The Puppet - More from Jamaica

I haven't forgotten it's still The Year Of The Puppet at Eurocovers, so here's a quicky.
In the Eurocovers post on Ken Boothe you can read more about reggae versions of Sandie Shaw's Eurovision winner made in Jamaica, with a list and versions by Boothe.

Here's a few of the lesser known coverversions of Puppet On A String from the 70's.

Tyrone Taylor
- on 7"inch (Micron MIC 2407, 1975)
Paul Sinclair- on 7"inch - b-side to Flabba Holt's I'm not a king (On Top records, 1975)
Enos McCloud a.k.a McLeod or McLoud
- on LP By the look in your eyes (Stewmac SB 003, probably 1979)

More Eurovision reggae in: Jamaica, can I have your votes please? part 1 / part 2

My e-bay stuff (ends today!)

- More Puppet On A String / Year Of The Puppet

VII: Year Of The Puppet - Jamaica - Ken Boothe

In the Eurocovers post 'Jamaica, can I have your votes please? pt. 1 (november 14, look in archives) I already mentioned that Puppet On A String was a bit of a classic in Jamaica.
The song was recorded by various reggae greats in the 60's, 70's and even in the 21st century. A few of them will feature in The Year Of The Puppet and the first one is by Ken Boothe, who actually díd record the song in the 60's, 70's and the 21st century.

Ken Boothe was born in Kingston Jamaica (1948). His first single is from 1963 but it was his first LP 'Mr Rocksteady' that brought him fame and the first of many nicknames.

The single Puppet On A String from 1967 was included on this breakthrough album. On his own website it says " ….the title many regard as one of Boothe's best exponents of song, ‘Puppet On A String’. " It was a huge seller in Jamaica in 1967 So it's a bit strange that it's missing from most Ken Boothe Best Of compilations.

When Boothe reworked the 1972 Bread hit Everything I own in his rocksteady style it gave him his biggest worldwide hit including a U.K. # 1 in 1974. The song was later covered by Boy George, who covered the Boothe version rather than David Gates' Bread original.

In 1978 Boothe released an LP 'Showcase' featuring a new recording of Puppet On A String extended with 'part 2 version', in total 6 minutes of laid back reggae.
In the early 21st century Boothe made a move to gospel music but in 2004 his concert at Cabaret Sauvage, Paris featured all his classic hits. This live show was released on CD.

In 2005 he created some new lyrics for Japanese DJ Infinity 16, mainly babbling along to his mix CD 'Real Warriors'

In his career Boothe has received several important awards for his music including the Bob Marley lifetime achievement award and the Order of distinction from the Jamaican gouvernment.

Ken Boothe - Puppet On A String discography
1967 single (Studio One SO 2012) b side is Look Away Ska by Roland Alphonso
The single was released in Jamaica and the UK with the same label number
1967 2nd edition single has 'Version on a string' on the b-side (Instrumental)
1968 LP 'Mr Rocksteady' (Studio One SO 3101)1978 LP 'Showcase' (Sonic Sounds SSR 001)all tracks of 'Showcase' and more on CD Sings Hits From Studio One And More (1998)
2004 CD 'Live in Paris 2004' (DikSud/(A) la folie - Fifty Five/Sony-BMG)
2005 CD 'Infinity 16 - Real warriors (Infinity 16 - INFCD-002S.002C, Japan)

1967 original version
1967 version on a string
1978 version + part 2 version
2004 live version
2005 DJ Infinity 16 version

More Jamaican Puppets to follow…

http://www.kenboothemusic.com/

LOOKING FOR…I've found details on 12 Jamaican male artists who have recorded the song but none by a female singer. There's one possible though: I'm looking for confirmation on a recording by Joyce Bond, who has a puppet on her 1968 LP 'Soul and Ska' (Sue records Jamaica / Island records UK).
Can anyone confirm this is the Eurovision puppet, and if so, does anyone have the song?

These reggae artists have recorded Puppet On A String, the Eurovision song. I don't have them all, but I have confirmation that it is the Martin/Coulter song.
Ken Boothe
Eric Donaldson
Fab 5
John Holt
Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
Enos McCloud (McLeod)
Max Romeo
Tyrone Taylor
Tony Tuff
Paul Sincliar
Rob Walker
Lynn Taitt and the jets (Instrumental)
El Natty combo (Argentina, instrumental)

These I'm not sure, their Puppet could well be another song. Any help is welcome

Joyce Bond
Dandy (Livingstone)
Dwight Pinkney
Delroy Wilson

Jamaica, Can I have your votes please? pt. 1

Not very likely that Jamaica, home of Reggae music, will ever participate in our beloved contest anytime soon, but then, no one imagined Jamaica at the Winter Olympics either.
In the 60's and early seventies some of the great Eurovision hits found their way to the Caribbean island so famous for its music and were covered by local singers from the 60's to (almost) present day.
Don't expect Bob Marley style militant Jah praising revolutionary stuff though, it's often more reggae of the Lovers Rock variety.
'Puppet on a string' must have been a popular tune in Jamaica as at least 15 artists from Jamaica have covered the song.

Byron Lee is the most active of them all, having 5 coverversions to his name.
Although very popular at home, his only worldwide claim to fame is 'Only a fool' with the Mighty Sparrow, a 1969 song that became a big hit in the mid 70's.
He has released many cds featuring reggae, soca and soft pop.

Byron Lee's Mighty Eurovision songs:
Walk away (Warum nur warum) - with the Mighty Sparrow
- on LP Sparrow meets the dragon from 1969 , also includes 'Only a fool'
Al di la - with the Dragonaires
- on LP The sounds of Jamaica (Towers Hall productions)
Love is blue - with the Dragonaires
- on a 7" single (on his own Dynamic label) - b side to Elisabeth Serenade
Eres tu - with the Dragoniares
- Mellow version with only the chorus sung (in English) on CD Soft Lee 4.
Puppet on a string * - with the Dragonaires
- The most covered Eurovision song in Jamaica, from the CD 'No woman no cry'.

* Puppet on a string versions will be featured frequently in this blog in 2007 to celebrate Sandie Shaws birthday and the 40th anniversary of her Eurovision victory. Year Of The Puppet.
Check out Jamaican versions by Ken Boothe, Tyrone Taylor, Enos McCloud and Paul Sinclair.