The Baku Weeks, part 1 and only

Since Eurovision 2007 Eurocovers readers are used to the So And So weeks highlighting the Eurovision history of the organizing country through coverversions of their greatest hits and by their popular singers.

No such luck this year, as Azerbaijans Eurovision History is short and I haven't found any Azerbaijani Eurocovers artists except the one that was already featured in 2008 Muslim Magomaev (1942-2008), when Azerbaijan entered the Eurovision family.

Below is a re-hash of that 2008 article with a few alterations.

Also check out
The Finweeks
The Belgrade Weeks
The Moscow Weeks
The Oslo Weeks
The Düsseldorf Weeks - German Classics
The Baku Collection, all about the cds, versions, charts of Eurovision 2012.
All about the releases of Azerbaijans first 4 entries in a Baku Collection special

If you know any Eurocovers from Azerbaijan (excluding live clips and youtube amateurs) please let me know.


Here's the 2008 article about Azerbaijani/Soviet singer Muslim Magomaev, the only Azerbaijani artist I know that has recorded Eurovision songs.

2008: welcomes Azerbaijan to the Eurovision stage.

The list of countries for Eurovision 2008 counts 43 and there's again two newcomers on the Eurovision stage. San Marino and Azerbaijan. Austria opts out for 2008.
Eurocovers of course tries to find any excuse to present some songs here but so far I haven't been able to find any version sung in Azerbaijani (or Azeri-Turkish, check your wiki's).
If anyone knows any, just let me know….

But this is close, Muslim Magomaev (Müslüm Maqomayev, Муслим Магомаев, 1942-2008) is a classical singer (baritone) who was born in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, in 1942, USSR times.
He shares his name with his grandfather, legendary composer Muslim Magomaev (1885 - 1937), who was a pioneer of Azerbaijani music. His father was a painter and war hero, his mother an actress. Magomaev Jr. started as a classical singer but after a performance in Italy he also turned to popular music. Since he has recorded Italian and Russian versions of many Italian songs including several San Remo entries and (other) songs by Domenico Modugno. Later he was dubbed the Soviet Sinatra.

In 1966 and 1969 Muslim Magomaev performed in Paris Olympia with great success. The director of Olympia Bruno Coquatrix offered him a contract, and Muslim Magomaev was seriously considering an opportunity to pursue international career, but he didn't get the Ministry of Culture's permission, who claimed that it needed Muslim Magomaev to perform at governmental concerts. In 1969 he received MIDEM Gold Disc Award in Cannes for the album sales of over 4,5 million units. In 1973, at the very young age of 31, Muslim was awarded the Soviet Union's highest artistic title: People's Artist of the USSR. Muslim Magomaev is also known as a composer of songs, film soundtracks and music for theater performances. In addition, Magomaev played in films and acted as a host in television and radio broadcasts.

Muslim Magomaev has been living and working in Moscow since the early 1970s. In 1997, in recognition of Magomaev's professional successes, a Russian astronomical society named two planetoids of the solar system in honor of him and his wife, Tamara Sinyavskaya, a prominent Russian opera singer who was also awarded People's Artist of the USSR and worked as a soloist at the Bolshoi Theater. (source: Magomaev Website)
At his website (in English and Russian) you can read more and listen to a large selection of his songs: classical music, songs by Azerbaijani composers, western popular songs, film themes and many self composed works.

ADDED Muslim Magomaev, died on October 25, 2008 at the age of 66, nine months after the original article was compiled.

Magomaev Eurocovers.
So far I have found two Eurocovers by Muslim Magomaev. Both are entries from 1965, the year of his visit to Milan, Italy.

Se Piangi, Se Ridi (Italian)
- Italy 1965, originally by Bobby Solo
Voskovaya Kukla (Восковая кукла, Russian)
- Luxembourg 1965, France Galls Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son.

I don't have any details on the release of Se Piangi Se Ridi, but Poupée…. was issued on a Melodija 4 track EP (33ГД-0001045-2, picture) and a compilation LP of the same year, Vsem kto lyubit pesnyu (No3)  / Всем, Кто Любит, Песню (№ 3)

The third song featured is Non Pensare A Me, the 1967 SanRemo winner that was replaced at the rehearsing stages of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.*

♫ Poupée - Se Piangi - Non Pensare

* Non Pensare A Me was the 1967 San Remo winner by both Iva Zanicchi and Claudio Villa. Villa was supposed to sing it as the Italian Eurovision entry but the song had to be replaced just days before the contest because it broke the release rules (i.e. it was released to early). Instead, Claudia Villa represented Italy with Non Andare Piu Lontano, but Non Pensare A Me was the hit (mainly for Zannichi) and is covered by most artists that were in the business of covering popular Italian songs (Connie Francis, Andre Hazes, Yukari Ito, Agnaldo Timoteo, José Guardiola).
Of Non Andare Piu Lontano I only ever found one coverversion (by Los Catinos)

Goodbye Donna Summer

I am very sad to hear that Donna Summer died. I know it's completely not Eurocovers related, but Donna Summer helped me survive through those horribly difficult teen years (probably second to ABBA only).
And she gave us the most utterly important timeless amazing dance record of all times, I Feel Love. Above is my own old tatty single sleeve, when it was actually a b-side first.
I guess the only thing left to say is the old cliché, Donna Summer, you'll be missed, but your music lives on forever.

What's your Donna Summer top 5?
1 - I Feel Love
2 - Rumour Has It
3 - On The Radio
4 - The Hostage
5 - I Remember Yesterday

Quédate Conmigo, Euphoria and When The Music Dies covers

Here is a coverversion of this years Spanish Eurovision Song Quédate Conmigo which will be performed in the Eurovision final on May 26 by Pastora Soler.
I don't know who is behind this (please tell me), but it is wonderful. Singers from all over the world (well, mostly Eurovision world) cover the classic Eurovision ballad and it is very well put together.
I've spotted a few pre-selection singers (ooh, Rui Andrade) and Eurocovers favourite Lianie May from South Africa.

Update: I just read at Eurovicio, who already posted it a week ago, that the idea from this clip is from Antonio (Tony) Sanchez, one of the composers of the song. It's a tribute to Pastora in support of her Eurovision adventure. You can also find the full list of participating singers at the Eurovicio link.
So: Thank you Eurovicio!

You can find out everything about Pastora Solers own version and releases here at The Baku Collection, the place for all info on the releases of the Baku 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.

Euphoria!
And while we're in the business of 2012 covers, an acoustic coverversion of Swedish entry Euphoria well worth checking out is released by Gavin Mikhail.
Gavin Mikhail recorded his acoustic version of Euphoria for a digital release with five acoustic versions of current hits (+ five instrumental versions).
Mikhail's coverversions are a bit of an internet phenomenon and his version of the Swedish entry shows us why. I think MF 2013 may have their intervalact sorted with our Gav'.
Listen to Gavins Euphoria here or buy here at itunes or amazon.


Euphoria will be performed in the second semi-final on May 24 by Loreen. (and hopefully also in the final). Find out everything about Loreen, Euphoria, chart success, remixes and Melodifestivalen 2012 here at the Baku Collection.




Wənneer Die Musiek Verdwijn

A third coverversion worth checking out is Wanneer Die Musiek Verdwyn (When the music disappears) by Colé Van Dais. 
It's an Afrikaans version of When The Music Dies, Azerbaijans home entry by Sabina Babayeva (Səbinə Babayeva).
You can listen to Colé version through her Reverbnation and it's also for sale at RhythmMusic store (South Africa).

Colé Van Dais has recorded several Eurovision coverversions recently for her album Dink Aan My (Think of me). For example titletrack is a cover of Haegt Og Hljott, the 1987 Icelandic entry by Halla Margret.
She also recorded a duet version of Georgia's Peace Will Come (Diana Gurtskaya 2008) with Marc Rantseli. This one is sung in Afrikaans, Spanish, English and Zulu.
Afrikaanse Meissies (African girls or probably Afrikaans girls) is The Balkan Girls (Romania's Elena Gheorge, 2008) and Die Eiland (The island) is 1987 Cyprus entry Aspro Mavro by Alexia.
Listen to some of the tracks here at Reverbnation

Of course you can find out everything about the original entry by Sabina Babayeva at the Baku Collection. There are details about the remixes, the Azerbaijani version Gəl and more at this page.

JEDWARD - Put The Green Cape On - EURO 2012

Jedward are covering their own Lipstick from last years Eurovision and turned it into Put The Green Cape On.
The Green Cape is donned in support of the Irish football team who take on Spain, Italy and Croatia in the first rounds of the forthcoming European Football Championships (Euro 2012) in Poland and Ukraine*.
Green Cape is released as Jedwards new single and all proceeds will go to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).
You just gotta love 'em, their hearts are even bigger than their hair.
For the video Jedward are joined by Irish sports and TV stars and even former Eurovision entrant Dustin The Turkey make a cameo appearance.
The cdsingle is out on Universal Ireland (3703342)

Find out more about Jedwards 2011 entry Lipstick here at the Düsseldorf Collection and their 2012 entry Waterline here at the Baku Collection.
source: Read more about the Green Cape here at RTE
More football / soccer at Eurocovers: Volare Meets The Beautiful Game
* Ireland are playing their first round games in Poznan and Gdansk in Poland)



Update: A week after release Put The Green Cape On enters the Irish charts at #3.
At #1 there's another football anthem: The Rocky Road To Poland by various (jurassic) Irish artists. It's also is for charity and stresses that it is the OFFICIAL anthem, but it doesn't have anyone half as exiting as Jedward or any of the other Irish Eurovision stars for that matter.




No Monster Club
If Jedward are a bit too easy listening for you it may be worthwhile to check out the Lipstick coverversion by the No Monster Club. They have a free download available here at Quarter Inch Collective.
It's from the album Quompilation #2.       

Happy Record Store Day

Record Store Day - Record Store Day UK - Record Store Day NL

Marianne (Italy 1968) in a new version by Morgan

While most Italian Eurovision classics have been covered a zillion times, one of my favorites only lists a few versions (although two by none other than Cliff Richard).
So I was pleased to hear the song wasn't totally forgotten just yet.

Marianne is the Italian entry from 1968, then performed and recorded by Sergio Endrigo.

This new version is by (Marco) Morgan and can be found on his CD album Italian Songbook Vol. 2.

The album also includes Io Che Non Vivo, the song we all know as You Don't have To Say You Love Me by Saint Dusty of Springfield.

Morgans album is released on CD but can also be found in your favorite digitessen.

Above clip is from Morgans Youtube channel.

Special thanks to Marco (not Morgan) for the tip!

Eurovision 2012 - Baku
For the latest release news on the 2012 Eurovision entries please check out the Baku Collection.
You'll find that Maya Sar has recorded an Italian version of her entry for Bosnia-Hercegovina, Italy enclosed San Marino have a Make Your Own Video competition with some fab prizes. Italy continues their return with Out Of Love (L'Amore è Femmina) by Nina Zilli.

The Road To Baku: Lukas Plöchl - Love Shine a Light

Here's a great live clip by Trackshitta Lukas Plöchl. It's from the Austrian talent show Helden von Morgen (2010) where Lukas ended second behind Cornelia Mooswalder.

Lukas Plöchl is a member of duo Trackshittaz (with Manuel Hoffelner) who represent Austria in the 2012 Baku Eurovision Song Contest with the wonderfully titled Woki Mit Deim Popo. (Shake your booty)
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Read more about the Trackshittaz entry here at The Baku Collection.

There you can also find out more about the history of all Austria's dialect / regional language entries.

Love Shine A Light is the 1997 Eurovision winning song originally by Katrina and the Waves who took the trophy for the United Kingdom.

Special thanks to Marco!

The Road To Baku: Engelbert Humperdinck - In Love With You

Here's an audioclip of Engelbert Humperdinck singing In Love With You, an English version of the 1984 Dutch Eurovision song originally by Maribelle.
In a bold and certainly unexpected move the BBC have appointed Engelbert to represent the United Kingdom in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Update: Find out all about his Eurovision song Love Will Set You Free here at the Baku Collection

Humperdincks Eurocovers

Engelbert Humperdinck recorded two Eurovision songs and (at least) two with a preselection connection.

In 1968 he scored a worldwide hit with A Man Without Love, a cover version of Quando M'Innamoro from the Sanremo contest of the same year. The original versions were performed by Anna Identici and by The Sandpipers. (single on Decca)

In 1971 he covered Clodagh Rodgers 'Song For Europe' song Another Time, Another Place. Another single and a modest hit in several countries. (single on Decca).
Clodagh Rodgers had her own national final in 1971 with six songs. Another Time, Another Place ended 4th and she took the winner Jack In The Box to a 4th place in the Dublin Eurovision Song Contest of 1971.

In 1997 he recorded the CD A Little In Love (Dino records). Top-man of Dino records and long time friend Tony Berk teamed Humperdinck up with Dutch singer and producer Peter Koelewijn to record an album with English versions of Dutch modern classics. It includes popular hits from the 80’s and 90’s and also features In Love With You, a coverversion of the Netherlands’ 1984 Eurovision entry Ik Hou Van Jou, originally by Maribelle.
Another song on the album is The Little Café By The Harbour, a Dutch evergreen written by Sha La Lie composer Pierre Kartner a.k.a. Father Abraham.

A Little In Love reached #29 on the Dutch album charts and stayed ten weeks on the list. In Love With You was also released as the second song on the cdsingle release of the title track.
The album was also released in Germany as Romantic Songs (EMI) but was discontinued when a project with dance re-recordings of E.H. classics was released.

The last song to mention was recorded in 2003, but it is the oldest Eurovision related song of the lot. Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu), well know to Eurocovers readers and everyone else ended up on his album Definition Of Love (Hip-O records). Volare, written and originally performed by Domenico Modugno, didn't win Eurovision but is the best selling Eurovision single and most covered Eurovision song of all time.

Please check out The Baku Collection for all the latest on the 2012 Eurovision songs, releases, charts and other trivia.

CD news: Daniel Diges - Where were you in the 70's?

Spanish Eurovision singer Daniel Diges who represented Spain with Algo Pequeñito in the 2010 Oslo Eurovision has released a coverversions album titled ¿Dónde Estabas Tú En Los 70?.
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Young Daniel wasn't born then, but I guess he managed to delve into his parents record collection and come up with 13 popular hits of the golden age of disco and disposable pop gems.

Unfortunately he skipped the disco ones so we are left with mostly Spanish (holiday) classics and a handful of worldwide evergreens.

A Eurocover is present, yay!. Eres Tu originally by Mocedades ended 2nd in the 1973 contest and became a worldwide success including a US top 10 hit. Eres Tu is also in the top 10 most covered Eurovision songs.

The 70's cover album is Diges' 2nd album and it is out now in the Spanish shops. It's released by Warner music Spain and also availble through th'i-tunes and other digitessen.

Tracklist ¿Dónde Estabas Tú En Los 70?.
1. Help! (Ayudame)
- Originally by Tony 'El Hollandès Español' Ronald (1971)
2. ‘Porque Te Vas?
- Jeanette had a hit with this José Luis Perales song, including a #1 in Germany in 1977.
3. Eres Tu
- Mocedades Eurovision classic from 1973
4. Gavilan O Paloma
- Originally by Mexian singer José José (1977)
5. Algo De Mi
- Originally by Camilo Sesto

6. El Chico De La Armonica
- I know it best in the German Bernd Clüver version Der Junge mit der Mundharmonika, but the original is a Spanish hit for Eurovision singer Micky*.
7. Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti
- I didn't know this song until Azucar Moreno ** covered it some years ago. The 1975 original is by Miguel Gallardo
8. Echame A Mi La Culpa
- Written by Albert Hammond and Oscar Gomez
9. Un Rayo De Sol
- A 1970 European summer holiday hit by Los Diablos
10. Eva Maria Se Fue
- Eva Maria was a 1973 hit for Formula V

11. Ven Sin Temor
- A coverversion of Mouth and MacNeals How Do You Do.  The duo had a worldwide hit with it in 1973, including a US top 10 hit. They went on to Eurovision in 1974 and ended 3rd with I See A Star.
12. Delilah
- The Tom Jones hit from 1968
13. Mammy Blue
- A much covered song, the Los Pop Tops version was probably the biggest hit. The song is written by Hubert Giraud, composer of the 3rd Eurovision winner Dors Mon Amour***.


There are a zillion Eres Tu's at Eurocovers. You'll find most of them with this search link.
* Micky entered Eurovision in 1977 with Enseñame A Cantar, find a Tex-Mex Eurocovers tribute here.
** More about Azucar Moreno and the Bandido covers here.
*** Find some Tango Argentina Eurocovers of Dors Mon Amour here.
What's Spain doing in 2012? Find out at the Baku Collection.

Special thanks to José Antonio

People Of Sweden!

Please vote wisely tonight.

Di Leva DTG!

Shame On You!

Thomas Di Leva, Swedens Astral Greengrocer and mighty tunesmith was in the 2nd heat of the Swedish Melodifestivalen with Ge Aldrig Upp (Never give up). But he ended only fifth grrrr....

Even though he started his recording career in 1980, this is the first time Di Leva joins the Melodifestivalen fold. I don't know if he tried before though. (they have like 2000 applicants each year)

The first song I noticed was the brilliant Naked Number One which was on a late night not-too-high MTV rotation in 1993. They didn't have the record at the Dutch local record stores of course (it was the pre-internet days kids) so I sort of forgot about it.

Then I re-discovered Di Leva in 2002 when I more or less accidentally celebrated the 750th anniversary of Stockholm in 2002.

I attended a free Di Leva concert at the week long festivities and I was won over by this excentric loveable creature in a kaftan on stage. He was throwing fruit in the audience, drank water from his trademark garden watering can and was deliberating about love, vegetables, the universe and more love. But it was the perfect Pop tunes that blew me away and made me rush to the record store to buy the back catalogue.

He never recorded a Eurocover, but in his 17 album career he recorded one album with coverversions. Lovestar from 2010 (pictured above) features coverversions ranging from Neil Youngs Rockin' In The Free World and Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus to Limahls Neverending Story and ABBA's The Winner Takes It All. Although the choice of songs is eclectic the album is held together by a strong electronic pop sound.

Other recomended Di Leva songs: Miraklet (my fave), Naked Number One, Everyone Is Jesus, Ingen Kan Köpa Livet, Adam and Eve, Svarta Pärlan I London (or the English version Black Pearl In London), Vem ska jag tro på, Frukt Grönt Och Vatten and the list goes on. A recommended compilation is 1999's För Sverige I Rymden. Di Leva recorded both in Swedish and in English.