Spain 1970 - Pitingo - Gwendolyne

Eurovision 1970 saw the entry of Julio Iglesias to the international music stage, and he's still there. His song Gwendolyne ended 4th. This is a video of a new flamenco tinged r'n'b version by Pitingo with Juan Carmona. It's from the 2008 Pitingo CD Souleria. Special Thanks to José Antonio.

1966 Dio Come Ti Amo - Cabaret Short Circuit

I don't think it happened before: I just received a new CD and while enjoying the virgin listening out of nowhere an intriguing Eurocover pops up.The CD in question is Disastro by Sonny J. which I bought because I totally love Handsfree (If You Hold My Hand).
Handsfree is a sampladelic reworking of Donna Hightower's* If You Hold My Hand.
I didn't suspect anything reading the tracklist, but track 4, Cabaret Short Circuit is a reworking of Jack Jones' fantastic live version of Oh How Much I Love You, which is Dio Come Ti Amo, only one of my favorite Eurovision songs and a honorable member of the Gallery Of Most Covered Eurovision Songs. And it's written by Mr. Volare: Domenico Modugno.
Sonny J. speeds up Jack Jones's version, adds the necessary crackle and umph and makes a nice use of Jones talking bits.
Of course all you Captain Stubing fans know Jack Jones of the Theme From Love Boat !
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Oh how Much I love You by handsome Jack was originally released in 1967 as a b-side of Don't Give Our Love Away (Kapp K880) and on his LP Our Song (Kapp 3531) .
The live version used on Cabaret Short Circuit is from the 1970 LP Jack Jones In Person, Live At The Sands (RCA SF 8149 , 1970, & Laserlight CD reissue, 1993)



Sonny J.'s excellent Disastro album is available at a record shop near you or your PC. Highly recommended if you like cut'n'paste dance - pop genuis. I know I do.


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Sonny J. Myspace & Sonny J. Homepage and Sonny J TV (all the videos)
Jack Jones Official Site - Jack Jones Studio Audio at Youtube
Mike Patton's live version of Dio Come Ti Amo is in this Eurocovers Post
The 10.000 coverversions post about Dio Come Ti Amo is here and in this post there's a version by Angolan Duo Ouro Negro.


* I think Donna Hightower had a go at the Spanish preselection for Eurovision in the 70's, but my mind is blank about that just now. Her best known hit is This World Today Is A Mess from 1972 (and a hit in 1974).

ANOTHER ONE
Another new(ish) version of Dio Come Ti Amo was recorded by Tereza (Kesovija), Croatian singer who entered Eurovision in 1964 for Monaco (Bien Plus Fort) and for Yugoslavia in 1972 (Muzika I Ti).
Her CD Zaustavi Vrijeme from 2007 includes a Croatian version of the song titled Bože, Kako Te Volim. (Youtube)

Introduction to music of Ex-Yu & Croatia
Which brings me to another recommended read. Sasha has a new Rate Your Music site where you can find out about the most important Yugoslavian artists from the past 50 years.

You can find an 'Introduction to music of Ex-Yu & Croatia' here. It's written in English.

Vice Vukov 1936 - 2008

Another goodbye this week. Croatian singer Vice Vukov died at the age of 72.
Vice Vukov entered Eurovision twice for Yugoslavia. In 1963 with Brodovi (Ships, 11th), the only entry for Yugoslavia ever chosen internally (by TV Zagreb).
In 1965 he performed Čežnja (Yearning, 12th), which was submitted by Bosnia-Hercegovina TV and won the National final.

Both songs can be found on the CD Vice Vukov - Platinum Collection.
For Čežnja it's the first time ever release, as there was no record back in 1965. The CD features the Eurovision recording polished up nicely.

EurocoversI don't know about any cover of his Eurovision entries but Vice Vukov recorded a few Eurovision songs himself.

Italy 1958 - Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare, you know it by now)
- Italian, recorded 1983, LP Bella Italia (SUZY LP 573)Italy 1959 - Piove (Ciao Ciao Bambina) also originally by Domenico Modugno)
- Italian, recorded 1983, CD Bella Italia (Perfekt music/Croatia Records CD 5553328)
Piove is not on the original LP but on the re-issued CD version only.Italy 1961 - Al Di Lá (Betty Curtis)
- Croatian as Iznad Svega, from EP More, Mandoline I Muzika, San Remo 1961 (Jugoton EPY 3102)Luxembourg 1961 - Nous Les Amoureux (winning song by Jean Claude Pascal)
- Croatian as Ja, ljubav I ti, on EP (Jugoton EPY 3108)

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Vice Vukovs Wiki Brodovi Youtube Čežnja Youtube
♫ Volare -  Ja, Ljubav I Ti

Rufus Harley (1936-2006) - Love Is Blue

Sometimes I come across a Eurocover that is just too amazing to be true.

This is Rufus Harley playing Love Is Blue (L'amour est bleu, Luxembourg 1967) from his 1970 LP Kings and Queens (Atlantic SD-1539) and reissued on the CD Courage - The Atlantic Recordings. (pictured)

Read more about Rufus Harley at this New York Times obituary. Harley died two years ago.

If you like this one also check out the must hear versions of Love Is Blue by Dorothy Ashby (Afro-Harp) and Ohta San (Ukulele) in this Eurocovers post

Eurovision 1990: Azucar Moreno - Bandido ...and then some

Another classic Eurovision moment: It's Zagreb, 1990 and Azucar Moreno are set to open the 35th contest with their groundbreaking (at least for Eurovision) Flamenco-House stunner Bandido (music by Raul Orellana & Jame Stinus, lyrics by José Luis Abel). But things go horribly wrong (Youtube).
After a long wait the backing tape finally starts but the Orchestra is still high on slivovits and they completely forget to play their parts. Sisters Toni & Encarna are not amused and walk off steaming. For a very long minute it's not clear if the sisters will return or if they are already running amok in the backstage area. But thankfully one of the favorites of the year gets a full airing and all is well in the end. Bandido only ends 5th and the winner is Insieme 1992 by Italian Toto Cutugno, who is dripping with black spray-on hairpaint when he walks on to carry the trophy home.

BEST BAND IN THE WORLD
Azucar Moreno are probably the best band in the world and since their breakthrough with the Bandido album (their 4th) they recorded 9 more. One is even more poptastic than the other and they are all highly recommended if you like passionate Flamenco- house crazyness and salsaflavored pop gems. And the occasional bonkers coverversion like Hava Nagila, Paint It Black or Tequila. Recommended personal favorites are Mambo (1991), Ojos Negros (1992), Amén (2000) and Bailando Con Lola.
Their success also spread to South America with a cover of Ven Devorame Otra Vez (Come and devour me again, 1990) and especially the El Amor album produced by Emilio Estefan (Gloria's hubby) in 1994. In 1996 they have a European summer hit with Solo Se Vive Una Vez (You only live once) from the album Esclava De Tu Piel (Slave to your skin).
Their most recent offering is Bailando Con Lola (2006), a tribute to Flamenco singer Lola Flores. You can listen to some of the tracks at their MySpace.
A selection of Azucar Moreno records for sale at BeaRecords

THE FUTURE
And there's good news, Encarna, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year is now declared cured. It's reported the girls are currenty working on their 14th album which should see the light of day at the end of this year. However other sources state Toni is working on a solo album and Azucar Moreno is on the backburner for a while.

SOME 2010 UPDATES (6-6-10)
Here's some great news on the best band in the world, Queens of the walk-off: Azucar Moreno. And their neices Alazan.
As you might know Azucars Moreno sisters Toñi and Encarna fell out big time after Encarna (the angry one) fell ill with breast cancer and Toñi (the bossy one) split up with her partner.
Things got really ugly but the girls seem to have made up (yay!!) and a new album is planned for the end of the year.  (well, make that somewhere in 2011 then)

Toñi Salazar has just released her new solo album Zero Azucar (!) which includes La Caña De España. That song was one of the many songs shortlisted in the Spanish national selection. (Youtube). It didn't make it to the final even though I voted for it…
Encarna released her solo album Desencuentro in 2009

Alazan
Meanwhile, Alazan, some nieces of The Moreno sisters celebrate their 10th anniversary with ditching a member* and releasing a compilation album 10.
10 includes a new version of the fabulous Alcanzaras La Luna from the 2000 Spanish final.
On the new version of Alcanzaras... you can hear and see Auntie Toñi and uncles Los Chungitos guest.
Watch La Caña de España here
You can watch the Alazan video here or listen to the new Alcanzaras here at Alazans homepage.
Source: Azucar Moreno Myspace (don't know if it's official or fanmade)

* actually, I don´t know when they became a duo

BANDIDO COVERS
Below there's a list of the coverversions of Bandido I know about and a few to listen to. Many are in Spanish although several of these are just cheap copies of the original song to fill MCs with even more cheap copies.

Atalaje (Spanish)
- on CD Eurovision Por Rumbas (1999). This album has 10 Spanish Eurocovers all in Rumba
Flamenco style
Andy & de Ania's - Bandieten der Liebe (German)
- on CD Zuhause etwas spannendes erleben (1996) (Danke Flavio!)
Antonia & Ronit - (translates as) Gipsy Vagabond (Hebrew)
- on CD, any info wantedAskin Nur Yengi - Zehir Gibisin (Turkish)
- on CD Hesap Ver and CD Aşk' In ŞarkilariPaul De Leeuw - Alleen maar de zon (Dutch)
- on CD Van U wil ik zingen (Varagram/Brommerpech)Los Chamarones (Spanish)
- on MC Rumbas mix para bailar. Vol. 5 (Disco Mercurio)
Maribel Cozar (Spanish)
- on CD Maribel Cozar (Sonograf)Dulce Veneno (Spanish)
- on MC Por Rumbas (Disco Mercurio)Los Gemelos (Spanish)
- on CD Escucha Como Cantan Los Gemelos (Fonoruz)Raíces (Spanish)
- on MC A Bailar La Rumba (F.P. Records)Rod's band (Spanish)
- on CD 40 Años De Eurovisión, album with cheap covers of 40 years of Spanish entriesSalsa Rumba band (Spanish)
- on CD Romantic Rumba's & Sizzling Salsas (1999) (Legacy)Zurriona (Spanish)
-on MC Rumbas De Exito (Divucsa)
+ instrumental versions by Gerardo Nuñez (Guitar, MC A Toda Rumba) and by Antonio Rodriguez & Jose Miguel Alvares (MC Rumbas Guay)If you have any additions to this list I'd be happy to hear from you.




and then some:
BERRYZ KOUBOU
Remember a few months ago Berryz Koubou released a cdsingle with their Japanese version of Dschinghis Khan. Great and all that, but now they have taken it a bit further and released yet another remix of the song. The Tarutaru mix mixes the Berrys Koubou version with the original German version by Dschinghis Khan themselves. In a totally hyper over the top fashion of course.

Now it would be a clever amateur mix-up, but actually it's the Koubou's latest released cdsingle. (King Records, available from cdjapan).

The cdsingle includes three tracks:


1. ジンギスカン タルタルミックス (Tarutaru remix)
2. ジンギスカン - Berryz工房
3.Dschinghis Khan - the original 1979 version by Dschinghis Khan.

Even the picture sleeve is a remix.
Some youtubes feature the new mix.



DE TOPPERS TO MOSCOW
And then there was the news of De Toppers as the Dutch entrants for Eurovision 2009 in Moscow.

The whole country is in uproar but the announcement restored the worldwide stockmarkets after last weeks devastating plunge.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on this surprising choice from the Dutch broadcaster, so I thought I'd let my light shine on it too.

De Toppers are René Froger, Gerard Joling and Gordon. Three filthy rich* singers who are able to entertain the masses with their no holds barred renditions of popular singalongs, torch songs and humpah classics. Their live shows are completely outrageous, and their wardrobe puts Dame Shirley Bassey's to shame.

Above all De Toppers are an immensely professional live act and no resources are spared to make their shows unforgettable. A preselection is planned on Februari 1st 2009, to select the perfect song for Eurovision 2009.
http://www.toppersinconcert.nl/

Gerard Joling represented the Netherlands in Dublin in 1988 with Shangri La, a typical 80's Eurovision song which ended 9th. Before that he already enjoyed a # 1 hit with Ticket To The Tropics and Eurovision didn't destroy his career as he scored his biggest hit with No More Bolero's in 1989. Joling also enjoyed popularity in Asia as well as in Belgium.
After 10 years of trying with really not so good records he scored another #1 with Maak Me Gek (drive me wild) in 2007 and with a duet with (un)dead André Hazes: Blijf Bij Mij (Stay with me)
Even though his records were crap from 1995 to 2006 he enjoyed a lot of popularity as a TV presenter and frequent guest in TV shows.
His corny OTT reality soaps with chum Gordon also filled the kitty and today Gerard Joling is hotter than ever. http://www.gerardjoling.nl/

Gordon tried to reach the Eurovision stage a few times, once as a poodle and once with a ballad. He enjoyed a #1 hit with his debut single and has also presented several TV shows. His one and a half braincell not in his pants has been put to use to cash in with his own line of clothing which makes even the thinnest people look obese. His hit songs with Re-Play were actually quite enjoyable. http://www.gordon.nl/

In the middle of the bitching bitches there's René Froger, calm, composed and heterosexual. Another #1 hit maker (also with his debut single) and a man able to fill a few stadiums every year. In fact is was his live show where Gordon & Joling guested that sparked the idea for De Toppers.
His current reality soap where he and his wife pretend to be poor for a month..... has raised some critisism, but I'm sure it'll all be blown over come Eurovision.
He released his first Dutch language album Passie a few months ago.
http://www.renefroger.nl/

TOPPERS EUROCOVERS
Next to some Eurovision medleys and live Eurocovers on DVDs each of the toppers have recorded at least two Eurocovers solo, which I won't upload here as their lawyers will be all over me in a second.

Gerard Joling
Ein Lied Kann Eine Brücke Sein (Germany 1975 by Joy Fleming)
- as Zing Met Me Mee (Dutch) on cdsingle (Bunny / Dino)Amsterdam (Netherlands 1980 by Maggie MacNeal
- on 7"inch single
Io Senza Te (Switserland 1981 by Peter, Sue and Marc)
- as Het Is Not Niet Voorbij, technically a Willeke Alberti cover. It was a top 10 hit a few months ago. on cdsingle and also on his latest CD Bloedheet.

René Froger
Ik Heb Zorgen (Belgium 1967 by Louis Neefs)
- on CD Louis Neefs 20 jaar later (various artists), tribute album to Louis Neefs who died in 1980.Go (U.K. 1988 by Scott Fitzgerald)
- on CD Pure (2004)

Gordon
Ik Hou Van Jou (Netherlands 1984 by Maribelle)
- on 7"and cdsingle (CNR) , a #26 hit in 1992. He also released an English version and a live version
Where Are You (U.K. 1998 by Imaani)
- as Waar Ben Jij (Dutch), a ballad version of the 1998 runner up. (CNR cdsingle)

Why is it a good thing that De Toppers are going to Moscow ? OK, De Toppers don't Rawk! and I prefer my Diva's to be female, but I do think it's a good thing to send them to Moscow. Moscow is in dire need of a good gay injection and I doubt if Putin will hire his spitting nanny's** to disrupt the festivities (A Gay pride is planned in Eurovision week) , with all Euro eyes watching this time. I'm 100% sure De Toppers will give good show if they haven't killed each other by then. And I really hope they can find the right song. Money should be no object. Bring out the sequins, feathers and fur*** and paint the town all kind of colours, but mainly pink.

* They're probably the only Dutch artists who can afford to have a café latte frappiato in Moscows starbucks.
**Old ladies spitting at the people marching in the attemped gay pride in moscow turned out to be payed for by authorities. Allegedly of course.
*** although I regret they'll propably go out and kill the baby seals for it themselves.

BLOG TIPS
I recommended this blog before but Blowupdoll continues to amaze. Currently running a series of Francoise Hardy songs in English in the fh in english week.
Another blog I have mostly been enjoying this week is Zvuci Jugoslavije. Extensive delving in the Yugoslavian music archives, from pop to classical and of course including several posts about Eurovision artists and even some Eurocovers too.

100% Off Topic: Louise Bastien a.k.a. Sapho

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Rare debut single of one of my all time favorite singers.

2008 Anno Domenico - Io e i Gomma Gommas

Punk Rock version of Volare by Io e i Gomma Gommas. From their CD 50's...Morti 60's...Feriti.

http://www.gommagommas.it

Mike Patton´s Mondo Cane - Dio Come Ti Amo

Faith No More frontman Mike Patton with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra performing Italy's 1966 Eurovision entry originally by Domenico Modugno. Recorded last june. Impressive stuff.

Géo Voumard 1920 - 2008

This week the Eurovision community says goodbye to Swiss composer, pianist and radio maker Géo Voumard, composer of 5 Eurovision songs including the first ever winner, Refrain from 1956.
With lyricist Emile Gardaz (1931 - 2007) Voumard is responsible for half of the first 10 songs that entered Eurovision for Switzerland. Three of them finished in the top three.
In 1967 Voumard co-founded* the world renowned Montreux Jazz Festival of which the 42nd edition took place last july.

Géo Voumard / Emile Gardaz Eurovision songs:1956 - Refrain - Lys Assia (winner)
1957 - L'Enfant Que J'Etais - Lys Assia (8th)
1961 - Nous Aurons Demain - Franca Di Rienzo (3rd)
1962 - Le Retour - Jean Philippe (10th)
1963 - T'En Va Pas - Esther Ofarim (2nd)

EurocoversRefrain, one of two songs** that entered for Switzerland in 1956 is the most covered of the Voumard/Gardaz songs, followed by Esther Ofarims runner up that almost won *** T'En Va Pas from 1963.
Of the other three songs I only know about an accordion cover of Nous Aurons Demain by André Verchuren. L'Enfant Que J'Etais and Le Retour still have a big 0 in the 10.000 coverversions list. The original artists records are (also) among the rarest Eurovision singles.

Refrain was recorded by Lys Assia in French, German and English (pictured). An Italian coverversion was recorded by Flo Sandon's (her Refrain is in this Eurocovers post). I know of three versions in Portuguese recorded in Brasil (Carlos Augusto, Araci Costa, Arthur Murat) (all wanted) and La Esterella recorded a Flemish version.
We're deep into 78rpm territory here and the covers of Refrain are not the easiest to find. About half of them are instrumental and of course quite a few in French.

Two 1956 Eurovision singers that have recorded Refrain in French are Corry Brokken (who went on to win in 1957) and Mathé Altery (France). Both recorded the winning song but neither released their own entry of that year.
My favorite coverversion is by Jula De Palma ♫, who slows the song down even further than the original.

T'En Va Pas
Esther Ofraim recorded her Eurovision entry in French, German and Italian (pictured). A lovely English version is recorded by Dana Valery ♫. She's an Italian born singer from South Africa.
Her version Would I Love You Again is the b-side to This Is My Prayer, an English version of the 1964 wonner Non Ho L'Eta (Gigliola Cinquetti). (Decca F 11881).
Other coverversions were rcorded in Finnish (by Olavi Virta), Dutch (Corry Brokken), Flemish (Jo Leemans), Swedish (Majbritt Persson) and Danish (Ellen Winther).
T'En Va Pas also found its way to Brasil, but so far I've only found details on instrumental versions (The Jordans ♫, The Bells, Os Carbonos)



* with Claude Nobs and René Langel
** Each country entered two songs in the first contest, 7 countries, 14 songs. The contest, held in Lugano, Switserland, was only aired on radio and only the winner was announced.
*** Esther Ofarim was pipped to the post only after Norway re-casted their votes which differed from their initial ones. It gave Dansevise by Danish Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann the final victory.

Team GB 1961 - Are You Sure?

Golden Oldie Are You Sure is one of the songs I knew by heart (although in my own invented variation on English) before I found out it actually was a Eurovision tune.
The Allisons (Brian 'John Allison' Alford & Colin 'Bob Allison' Day, not really brothers contrary to popular belief), the U.K.'s answer to the Everly Brothers, scored a European hit with their Eurovision runner up, the third U.K. entry in a row to finish 2nd.

Despite their European hit, world domination didn't really happen for the Allisons. They managed to get two more top 40 hits (but not top 30) and called it a day in 1963.
'Goodbye, Farewell.... Are You Sure?' they asked. I guess they weren't, as the Allisons reunited on several occasions and in the 70's recruited some new brothers like Mike Allison and Tony Allison.
John White, earlier member who left in 1959 is the real composer of their Eurovision Song. (It's credited to The Allisons)

Search engines aren't much use when you're browsing with a general term like "Are You Sure" but over the years I have found details on about 40 versions of the song and here are some of them.

My favorite first: The Chicks are a New Zealand sister duo formed by Judy & Sue Donaldson. (real sisters) The single was sent to me by Barry from New Zealand, long before the internet and all that and it has always been one of the treasured little gems in my collection.
Are You Sure is the b-side to the 1969 single Miss You Baby (Polydor 425220).
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I could write/copy/paste the girls life story, but instead I recommend this excellent bio at New Zealand Music with gorgeous pictures and very detailed info.

Another sister duo, The Young Sisters (again, real sisters) from the Netherlands recorded Are You Sure in Dutch.

Johnny, Kom Weer Hier (Johnny come back) was recorded in 1961 and released on single (Philips 318 552 PF).
The Young Sisters are Willy & Nelly De Jong, mom & aunt of Maxine. Maxine represented the Netherlands in Eurovision in 1996 with Franklin Brown (De Eerste Keer, 7th).
Even though the Sisters released several singles covering international hits, they never scored a chart hit. But they prooved to be a popular live act performing for Dutch soldiers abroad, often accompanied by the Jumping Jewels.
There is a short bio with some great pictures here at the West Brabants Rock 'N' Roll Archief (in Dutch).

German versions of the song are called Ahoi-Ohé and it is this version that probably was the inspiration Kalmer Tennosaar & Kalju Terasmaa to record an Estonian version. That version was covered by Estonian girl-folk-humpah band Seelikukütid.
The girls of Seelikukütid have been known to sport the Sebastien Tellier look and tackle popular songs as well as tradional songs on their many albums.
Ahoi Ohee is from the CD Seelikukütid 4 from 1997. Seelikukütid also recorded Puppet On A String (as Hüpiknukk, on CD Seelikukütid 5)



A List of Are You Sures
List of versions of Are You Sure . (e-mail me) This has release details on the Allisons versions and info on 42 coverversions of the song. (Word document uploaded with 4shared) (Updated November 2013)
Any corrections, additions and comments are of course very welcome.