Last year Eurocovers started a series of Rotterdam Week coverversions to celebrate Eurovision being in The Netherlands and all that.
One version I couldn't find back then was this one, Penghibor Di Rantau by Rahimah Rahim from Singapore. But some kind person uploaded the album with the same name to the tube so you can have a listen to this lovely coverversion of Colorado, originally by Xandra (Sandra Reemer and band)
It was the Dutch entry in 1979 and Rahimah Rahim released her album in the same year.
In 1977 she already recorded Tepat Pada Waktunya which is a coverversion of the 1974 German entry Die Sommermelodie (Cindy und Bert) (LP Rahimah Rahim)
Eurovision
Rotterdam is happening, pandemic or not. We all can use a bit of cheering up, I
know I do. You
probably already know our Rotterdam 2.1 pages with all the things you need to
know about the music and stars of Eurovision 2021, but here’s the link anyway.
A nice album
release to coincide with this year’s spectacular is Songfestival: Nederlands
trots in een nieuw jasje (Dutch pride in a new jacket) with nine
coverversion of Dutch Eurovision hits. (Well, one is Belgian, (see below). The album
is out on CD on May 12 but also (already) available through you favorite
digital music providers. And Spotify.
Released by Cloud 9, they also posted a Youtube playlist. Most tracks
are quite different from the original (which is good) by current artists even
today’s youngsters can relate too (i.e: not old)
If I had to
give one 12 Poing it would be for Deborah Parlor’s soft country version of Ik
Hou Van Jou / In Love With You. It shows a new side of the 1984 classic which
as far as I know has only been covered as a (big) ballad. 1. Paul
Sinha & Fleur – De Eerste Keer - 1996, original by Maxine & Franklin Brown 2. Samantha Steenwijk – Vrede - 1993, Ruth Jacott 3. Lisa
Lois – Hemel en Aarde - 1998, Edsilia Rombley, one of this year's hosts. 4. Pommelien Thijs – Door De Wind - The Belgian entry of 1989 written by Dutch singer Stef Bos.
5. BENR – Je Vecht Nooit Alleen - 2011, 3JS, performed it in English as Never Alone at Eurovision. 6. Deborah Parlor – In Love With You - 1984, Maribelle as Ik Hou Van Jou 7. Danique
– Arcade - 2019,
Duncan Laurence 8. René Karst – Ik Zie Een Ster - 1974,
Mouth & McNeal 9. Unity – Ding-A-Dong - 1975, Teach In
Last year, before Rotterdam 2020 was cancelled, I posted a few bits and pieces about Dutch classics in The Rotterdam Weeks. Still worth a listen and a read.
Shay Healy, Irish songwriter and broadcaster passed away. Eurovision fans know him best from Johnny Logan's What's Another Year, the Irish winner from 1980.
This video is from a CD/DVD release Stardust: The Stable Sessions recorded in 2016.
I could reprint all kinds of wiki's about his achievements or his ordeal with Parkinson's but I'll just leave you with this video.
What's Another Year is a heartbreaking song by itself but you won't hear a more moving version of the Eurovision classic that is here on earth forevermore.
The CD/DVD is available from Tradnua where you can find a bit more about the recording sessions. Also via other stores (incl Amazon, Essential Irish, Bol). You can also listen to the album on your favorite streamers.
Updated in 2021 to give Jean-Paul Vignon a little more credit, the original post was from April 2012.
Here's one piece of Eurocovers treasure I didn't know about.
It's iconic American actress and Charlie's Angel Farrah Fawcett-Majors (1947-2009) doing a coverversion of the Italian 1974 Eurovision entry Si with French singer/actor Jean-Paul Vignon.
Vignon does all the singing but Farrah makes it all amazing by sexy-rapping all over the song like's she's French or something.
This single was already released in 1977 and Farrah Fawcett-Majors was a superstar and still no-one at Eurocovers knew of this gem. (in 2012, ed)
As far as I know this is the only time Farrah Fawcett-Majors ventured in the world of music.
The single was released in the U.S. (Nelson Barry NBR 7900, various promo's exist) and in Mexico (Columbia k.30010) in a gorgeous picture sleeve that makes no secret of who is supposed to sell this record.
Picture from Discogs
Jean-Paul Vignon
Besides releasing many singles in France, most from 1957 to 1967 Jean-Paul Vignon later focused more on his acting. This single with Farrah Fawcett was a bit of a one off.
As an actor you may have seen him in Star Trek The Next Generaton as a holographic waiter (Ep: We'll Always Have Paris) or heard him in Shrek as the Merry Man. Other credits are soaps like Days Of Our Lives, Gilmore Girls and Dallas (as a waiter again). In fact he played a waiter or similar roles in many shows. Add Hotel, L.A. Law, Falcon Crest (croupier), Murder She Wrote, Columbo and more.
He's still around and performs live shows (pandemics permitting).
In his bio it says that Farrah and him covered a winning Eurovision song but that can be forgiven. It's not like anyone remembers the actual winner.
His memoirs, published in French (De L'Ethiopie A L'Utopie) and English (From Ethiopia To Utopia) were released in 2018 / 2019. (More about that here at Vignon's website)
Si by Gigliola Cinquetti ended second behind ABBA's Waterloo in the Brighton Eurovision Song Contest of 1974.
But credit where credit is due, I nicked the picture from the Cranched For Now blogspot, who wrote about this in 2009. So you go there now, read more about it, see the disc but don't forget to come back though.....
Danny, legendary Finnish singer born as Ilkka Johannes Lipsanen (in 1942), will enter the Finnish preselection for the
2021 Eurovision song contest Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (New Music
Contest) with the Janne Rintala penned song Sinä Päivänä Kun Kaikki Rakastaa Mua (the day that everyone loves me).
Now the Uuden (new) part of that is a bit misplaced as Danny’s first
singles were released in 1964.
Over the
years Danny has had many hits in his home country and he is credited for
putting touring live shows on the map for Finland. His live shows, often supported by other now well known Finnish singers (Kirka, Katri Helena, Vicky Rosti), were among the first to
start live music pop culture in the country, with hysterical screaming and all that.
There’s a
movie and a musical about his life and they’re both called Danny. So he must have done something right.
The new Rotterdam 2021 Collection is open!
This year
it’s the 8th time (and 9th song) Danny tries to get to
the Eurovision Song Contest. Here's the Finnish 2021 page at the new Rotterdam Collection.
The song premiered at 11 PM CET on Januari 17th and is now available from all your local digitessen.
Post Premiere Update: Now I didn't expect that! My Finnish is a bit rusty but the English translation is in the video below. Absolutely wonderful lyrics, sort of sad in a tongue in cheek way, resigning in the inevitable.
Now you just keep that day away for a while longer Mr. Danny!
Here’s a
list of his earlier Euroviisut efforts. 1966 Pieni
Saana (Little Saana, 8th) - single
(Scandia KS 628) has the winning song Playboy by Ann Christine on the b-side! 1967 Sua
Kutsun, Maarit (I call you, Maarit, 2nd) 1967
Keskiyöllä (At midnight, 4th) - both 1967
songs on single (Scandia KS 682), 2nd placed song also on VA EP 4 Iskelmää (Scandia SEP 215). 1973 Galileo
Galilei (5th) (video below) - single
(Scandia KS 891) 1974 Jos
Maailmassa Vain Ois Kahva (If there was only a handle on the world, 7th) - single
(Delta DES 5) 1975
Seikkailija (Adventurer, 2nd) - single
(Delta DES 10) 1986 Ninja
(8th) - single
(M&T Productions MTP 1097) 2004 Seven Times Seven (in English) - Danny & D’Voices (10th) - CD
Minulta Sinulle (Poptori 1134-2), also on
promo cds (MUFA records) Seven Times
Seven is a nod to his 1968 hit Seitsemän Kertaa Seitsemän which means
Seven Times Seven 2021 Sinä
Päivänä Kun Kaikki Rakastaa Mua (the day that everyone loves me) - digital single
----
Eurovisio Special 1978
Danny's Eurovision covers
But this is
Eurocovers so we’ll take a look at Danny’s coverversions of Eurovision songs.
All are translated into Finnish. Many come from Various Artists LP’s from the
70’s and 80’s where most Eurovision tunes from one year were translated and
recorded by Finnish artists. Two times
he paired up with Armi Aaviko who you’ll probably remember as Miss Finland 1977. Sadly Armi died in 2002, just 42 years old.
The YT links are all audio's on Youtube.
Here’s the list of Danny’s Eurocovers.
Säästä Suukkosi Vain (Save your kisses for me, U.K. 1976) (YT) Judy Judy (Judy et Cie, Belgium 1976) (YT) - Both on Eurovision 1976 covers VA LP Huipulla 10 Eurovisio
Special (Scandia SLP 632) - Judy Judy also on LP Elämän Maku (Scandia SLP 631)
Päin Seinää - Armi ja Danni (Rock Bottom, U.K. 1977) (YT) Beatles (Sweden 1977) (YT) - VA Eurovision covers LP Eurovisio Special 1977 (Scandia
SLP 648) - LP Tahdon Olla Sulle Hellä (Scandia SLP 647)
Beatles 1977
Beatles
also b-side to Armi & Danni single Tahdon Olla Sulle Hellä(7"Scandia KS 979) Jäi Taakse Päivät Nuo - Armi ja Danny (Bad Old Days, U.K.
1978) (YT) - VA Eurovision covers LP Eurovisio Special 1978 Disco Tango (Denmark 1979) - VA Eurovision covers LP
Eurovisio 79 (Scandia SLP 911) Vain Rakkaus Jää (Tænker Altid På Dig, Denmark 1980) - VA Eurovision covers LP Eurovisio Special 1980 (Scandia
SLP 917) On Meri Tänään Tauhatan (Feggari Kalokerino, Greece 1981) (YT) - 7” single, b-side to Vain Kaksi Nauhaa (Scandia KS 1058) - VA Eurovision covers LP Eurovisio Special 1981 (Finnlevy
FL 5095) Maybe
there’s more, if you know any, just drop a comment.
The strangest Christmas I've ever experienced (I mean: No shopping!) needs its own soundtrack. Eurovision singer Senhit (2011, 2020 and 2021) has been giving us some amazing videos monthly covering Eurovision classics.
The December instalment is this one, Amar Pelos Dois, the 2017 winner for Portugal by Salvador Sobral. Classical singer Jordi Galàn sings along too.
(spoilers) It doesn't get better than the moment Mary hands over the black Baby Jesus for adoption to a same sex couple in their tighty whities. Madonna would be proud (if it was still 1989).
I hope Senhit will release the covers as an album (A CD/DVD set would be nice), but for now they're only on Youtube.
Big Kudo's to the director Luca Tommassini, who surpassed himself again on this amazing video.
Here'sthe playlist with all the coverversions Senhit made in her #FreakyTripToRotterdam project.
Amar Pelos Dois, Rise Like A Phoenix, Congratulations, Ding A Dong, Everyway That I Can and Cheesecake.
And in May she did a heartwarming version of Insieme 1992 (Toto Cutugno's winner of 1990)
Her 2020 entry Freaky! is still available through all your favorite digital stores and on the Official 2020 CD.
I really hope she get's a stunning song for the 2021 contest (and don't let Azerbaijan snap it up!).
Today I am in the mood for getting this post up to the top. (links may not all work)
Not a Eurocover and way early of course, but how many famous Icelandic Eurovision people do you recognise in this clip? (see below) What a wonderful christmas song. (and I don't do christmas songs very much thank you)
RÚV (Icelandic TV people) should consider sending this to Eurovision. I mean, it's wonderful, it's already finished, no hassle and costs of a multi-round preselection and even if some get the flu, there's enough singers here to do it. It would be the first Christmas song at Eurovision which would be in itself Eurovision History-Book-On-The-Shelf worthy. Consider it....
The Fróstrosir project celebrates 10 years of Christmas music this year. Here's the Fróstrosir homepage where you can find out if you spotted all the stars. (under Flytjendur)
In the past Fróstrosir have Christmafied two Swedish Eurovision entries. The 1996 entry Den Vilda (One More Time, 3rd place) became Dansaðu Vindur and was released on the CD Fróstrósir (2002) and compilation Fróstrósir - Best lögin' (2006). 1995's Se på mig (Jan Johansen, 3rd place) became Stjärnan Min and was released on the CD Heyr Himna Smiður (2008) Update: Fróstrósir andEurobandiðsingerFriðrik Ómar also gave a Swedish Eurovision track the Christmas Once Over: Tommy Körbergs majestic Stad I Ljus (Sweden 1988 by Tommy Körberg) became Vetrarnótt for the 2010 holiday season. Another Update:Af Álfum, Vetrarnótt,Stjärnan Min and Dansaðu Vindur can all be found on the new album / 2CD Fróstrosir Fagna. (thanks Dominique!)
Fróstrosir 2011 features the following Eurovisiony people: Eiríkur Hauksson - Three time Eurovision star (1986 with trio Icy, 1991 with quartet Just4Fun for Norway and his own fantastic Valentine Lost in 2007. Hera Björk - Je Ne Sais Quoi was her Eurovision eruption in 2010, and she also had the fabulous entry Someday ending 2nd in the Danish 2009 final. She also recorded an Icelandic coverversion of Christine Guldbrandsens Alvedansen (Norway 2006) Friðrik Ómar - Member of Eurocovers fabulous favorites Eurobandið, well know for This Is My Life (2008) also had some great solo tunes in the Icelandic preselections (Það Sem Verður 2006 and Eldur 2007) Regína Ósk - Member of Eurocovers favorites Eurobandið, also had a great solo tune in the Icelandic preselection (Þér Við Hlið in 2007) Guðrún Árný - Pre-selection singer in 2003 with Með Þér. Eivør Pállsottir - Faroese singer participated in the Icelandic selection with I Nótt in 2003. She's the main singer on Dansaðu Vindur. Heiða Ólafs - In 2009 pre-selection with Dagur Nýr. Matti Matt - My favorite Sjonni Boy. Coming Home 2011. In 2010 he had a solo song in the selection: Out Of Sight. Stefán Hilmarsson - Two time Eurovision singer Stefan out of Beathoven (1988) and Stefan and Eyfi. Also appeared as backing singer and musician on various Icelandic entries. Ína Valgerður - Eurocovers star recorded the Italian 1964 winner Non Ho L'eta in Icelandic. Entered the Icelandic selection in 2008 with Lullaby To Peace. Jógvan Hansen - Preselection 2010 (One More Day) and 2011 (Ég Lofa) Ragnar Bjarnason - Legendary Icelandic singer, recorded Eurocovers of Volare and Non Ho L'eta(Italy's 1958 and 1964 entries) SisselKyrkjebø - Internationally acclaimed classical singer from Norway, was in the 1986 contest interval performance. Ragga Gröndal - Two times national semi finalist (2003 with Ferrari and 2008: Wake Me Up), member of the Fancy Toys and a bestselling singer in Iceland. Guðrún Gunnars - Judge on the Paul Oscars Eurovision previewTV show Alla Leið The other singers without any Eurovision relation that I know of are: Ágúst Ólafsson, Björg Þórhallsdóttir, Erna Hrönn, Garðar Thór Cortes, Gissur Páll, Guðrún Gunnars, Hulda Björk Garðarsdóttir, Jóhann Friðgeir, Kolbeinn Ketilsson, Margrét Eir, Óskar Pétursson, Vala Guðna and Védís Hervör. Producers / arrangers Karl Olgeir Olgeirsson and Árni Harðarson also appear in the video.
Only a week
ago I watched a Country music documentary which included a story about the
remarkable history of Charley Pride. It prompted me to dig up his wonderful version
of What’s Another Year. And now I
read that the man is not getting another year thanks to that damned you know what. So sad and
poignant. Have a listen below.
Pride’s What’s
Another Year was released on his 1991 CD Classics With Pride. (Not to be confused
with the 1996 album with the same title).
Charley Pride recorded over 40 albums and scored over 70 hits in the US Country singles charts, of which 30 went to #1.
Find out more about Charley Pride's groundbreaking achievements at his website and facebook.
What’s Another Year is Johnny Logan's 1980 Eurovision winner for Ireland.
In the past 15 odd years Eurocovers has been writing a lot about coverversions of Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare), the 1958 Sanremo winner and Eurovision entry by Domenico Modugno. It's an obsession.
If you use this link you'll see most of the earlier posts.
Here's just a quick runthrough of new coverversions just released, showing that Mr. Volare is still alive and kicking. With listening links for your convenience.
In February
Italian heartthrob and superstar Tiziano Ferro was a guest performer at the Sanremo Festival
performing Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu. Now he has
released his quite wonderful new album Accetto Miracoli: L'Esperienza Degli Altri and in
includes a similar version of the Domenico Modugno classic. (out on 2CD, LP and digital)
Youtube Audio. Sanremo performance via RaiPlay It took Brazil’s
former Minister of Culture (and music legend) Gilberto Gil over 60 albums to give
us a version of Volare, recorded with his granddaughter Flor. They first
performed the song back in April as a message of support and strength to the
Italian people hit by the pandemic. Now they recorded a studio version for a
digital EP De Avô Pra Neta (digital EP) Youtube Audio, Original performance
Another familiar
name, Jane McDonald, Queen of British Cruiseships, also released a version of Volare (in English) on her new
album Cruising with Jane McDonald, Vol. 2. (CD and digital) Youtube Audio Russell Watson just scored a U.K. top 10 album with his album 20 (CD and digital).
This includes a new
recording of Volare. He previously recorded it with André Rieu (2003, CD Zauber
des Musik 3) the Royal Philharmonic (2008, CD The Platinum Collection), and
with Aled Jones (2018, CD In Harmony). Youtube Audio
Some other 2020 Volares are by: Franco
Corso (CD Vincerò, to be released Dec 1) Website listening
- Corso also recorded it in 2005 but this is a new recording Imai
Shunshuke (今井俊輔, CD I Am I 2020 Volare) Youtube audio
