Singer and actress Julie London (Julie Peck) was probably known for her beauty more than for her music and wasn't too shy to show that on her lovely LP sleeves. But several of her albums are as pleasing on the ear as they are on the eye. Her debut LP from 1955 Julie Is Her Name (Liberty) is a must have LP for anyone who loves music. Her soft and gentle voice blends so beautiful with the minimal smooth guitars of Barney Kessel* and Ray Leatherwood on bass.The LP features the first released version of the classic Cry Me A River. It is one of my all time favorite LP's.
Now to Eurovision: In 1963 the U.K. entry Say Wonderful Things by Ronnie Carroll ended 4th in the contest in London.
Now to Eurovision: In 1963 the U.K. entry Say Wonderful Things by Ronnie Carroll ended 4th in the contest in London.
It was even a U.S. hit, reaching 91 with four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Patti Page took the song a little bit higher, her version was a #81 hit.
Julie London recorded Say Wonderful Things in the same year for the LP The Wonderful World of Julie London, which was critisized for being too 'Easy listening'. So, maybe not her finest moment but it gave us a Eurocover by a legendary superstar who represented all that was gorgeous at the turn of the 50's.
There's a CD re-issue with another LP (The Good Life) available at Amazon and other (web)shops, but if you want any Julie London record in your collection you should try and find some of the original (or even re-issue) LP's with the glorious picture sleeves in the only format that does them justice: 12' inch.
Julie London died in 2000 at the age of 75.
Eurovision fans take notice: Julie London is the original inventor of the wrap me up in drapes act made famous in the contest by Sertab, André, Sakis and Sarbel almost 50 years later.
There's a CD re-issue with another LP (The Good Life) available at Amazon and other (web)shops, but if you want any Julie London record in your collection you should try and find some of the original (or even re-issue) LP's with the glorious picture sleeves in the only format that does them justice: 12' inch.
Say Wonderful Things can also be found on EMI Presents The Magic of Julie London (Compilation CD 1995, later re-issued as Cry Me A River)
Julie London died in 2000 at the age of 75.
You can find a nice bio and discography with many pictures here at this recommended tribute site.
There's also a Facebook page dedicated to Julie London
* - The Poll Winners with guitarist Barney Kessel recorded a coverversion from another US Eurovision favorite: Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu) is on their 1958 LP The Poll Winners Ride Again (Contemporary Records)
(Updates to this Eurocovers page have been made in May 2021)
Eurovision fans take notice: Julie London is the original inventor of the wrap me up in drapes act made famous in the contest by Sertab, André, Sakis and Sarbel almost 50 years later.