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………

Eurovision 2017: The Kyiv Collection

It's in the trees, It's coming!

Eurovision 2017: The Kyiv Collection

Bookmark now....

Laura Lynn has the rhythm

Popular Belgian schlager singer Laura Lynn has released her 9th album Een Nieuwe Dag (A new day) which includes some interesting Eurocovers.
The album includes many Dutch classics and some other unexpected coverversions. (Vreemde Vogels is a wonderful cover of Rhinestone Cowboy by Glenn Campbell)
And for the Dutchies: it also has Dokter Bernhard!

For the Eurocovers fans these are included:
Rechtop In De Wind (Originally by Marcha, a.k.a. Marga Bult, Netherlands 1987)
De Eerste Keer (Maxine and Franklin Brown, Netherlands 1996)
Je Ogen Hebben Geen Geheimen Meer (Främling by Carola, Sweden 1983)
- Carola recorded her 1983 entry in Dutch herself and scored a top 10 hit in the Netherlands. The Dutch version has since been covered by a number of Dutch singers including Gerard Joling.
Alles Heeft Ritme (Frizzle Sizzle, Netherlands 1986).
- Of the Eurovision covers this is my favorite on this album. It's a sweet samba-ish track perfect for summer. This is also released as a digital single.

The album is available on CD and as a digital release.
Laura Lynn website

Corry Brokken 1932 - 2016

Sad news from the Netherlands, Corry Brokken, legendary singer and Eurovision star has died at the age of 83.

Corry Brokken won the 2nd ever Eurovision Song Contest with her song Net Als Toen (Just like old times). She  participated in 1956 with Voorgoed Voorbij (Over forever) and in 1958 with Heel De Wereld (The whole wide world).
In 1976 she was the host of the contest in The Hague. I remember she congratulated the winners as Happy England, and nobody complained...

Corry Brokkens career started in the early 50’s, when she performed on many Dutch radio shows. Eurovision followed three times but it was in the early sixties she scored her biggest hits, Milord (The Edith Piaf song), Mijn Ideaal (Tu Te Laisses Aller) and La Mamma (both Charles Azanavour songs).
She also recorded many songs in German and frequented many German TV shows in the 60's.

Corry Brokken continued recording critically acclaimed albums up to the mid 70’s.
After she was finished with music Brokken started a career in law at the age of 42, resulting in becoming a judge in 1991.
But music remained a part of her life, and following the success of the 1994 compilation a new album Nooit Gedacht (Never thought) was released in 1996.
Brokken disappeared from public life in 2008 after serious health issues.

Corry Brokken Eurovision discography.

1956 Voorgoed Voorbij

Each country had two songs in the first Eurovision song contest. The second song for the Netherlands was Voorgoed Voorbij by Corry Brokken. The song was never released.
Update 2017: A new 3CD titled Milord has been released featuring 75 tracks. It includes Voorgoed Voorbij for the first time on any record. The recording sounds like it's the Eurovision recording (it has the same arrangement and vocals) but it's remastered/patched up very well, sounding like a studio recording. 

Corry’s National Final songs from the same year, Ik Zei Ja (I said yes), De Telefoon (The telephone) and ‘t Is Lente (It’s Springtime) were never released either.

She also performed (and maybe even recorded?) Dutch and French versions of Refrain, Lys Assia’s winning song.

1957 Net als toen

Corry Brokkens second Eurovision appearance resulted in victory, she gathered 31 points, leaving France in second place with 17.

In the National Final Corry also ended second with Iwan, (a.k.a. De Messenwerper, The knife thrower). This was released as a b-side to Fascination (Philips 317 799 PF)

 

Net Als Toen, Ronnex single

Net Als Toen 1982 re-issue

Net als toen (Dutch version)

- single Ronnex 1957x45,  EP: Ronnex 008x45, 78RPM Ronnex 5076, all made in Belgium, but released in the Netherlands.

- there’s also a rare Dutch Philips issue, but I don’t have details.
- The Ronnex single was re-issued in 1982

Damals war alles so schön (German)          

- single: Philips 317 797 PF (Netherlands), also on 78rpm from Germany. (Philips P 17797 H)
- the German version is only 1:47 mins long, a long German version is supposed to exist, but I’ve never seen or heard it.

Tout comme avant (French)             

- on 1958 EP, see below

Net als toen (live in 1999)

- on AIDS charity concert CD Amsterdaverend (TMD Records BMG 731972).

Dutch Edition Dors Mon Amour EP

1958 Heel De Wereld

The third and last Eurovision adventure didn’t fare too well for Corry. Her Heel De Wereld finished (shared) last.

In the National Final she again finished first and second, the second song Weet Je (Do you know) was released on the b-side of Heel De Wereld.

She also recorded a coverversion of Goedenacht Marjolein, the song that ended 4^th in the Dutch final (sung by Bruce Low). Brokkens version ended up as the b-side to her 1966 single Zo Gaat Het Met Meisjes Altijd (That’s how it goes with girls) (Philips JF 327 979)

French edition Dors Mon Amour EP

Heel De Wereld (Dutch)     

- single Philips 318 078 PF

Toi, mon coeur tu sais (French)

- EP Philips 422.257 PE     

The 1957 and 1958 French versions can be found on the Corry Brokken EP Dors Mon Amour (A cover of the 1958 French winner). 

Both French and Dutch editions have the same label number but different picture sleeves.

1959

In 1959 Corry Brokken entered the Dutch National Final again. Duet Mijn hart En Ik (My Heart And I, with Bruce Low) finished third, Iedere Dag Met Jou (Every day with you) finished 4^th . 
Neither were released by Corry Brokken.

Eurocovers

1958 Dors Mon Amour - André Claveau (France, 1^st place)

Brokken recorded it in French, see 1958 above

Danswijsje / Ga Niet Weg single

1963 Dansevise - Grethe and Jörgen Ingmann 

(Denmark, 1^st place)

1963 T’En Va Pas - Esther Ofarim 

(Switzerland, 2^nd place)

- Danswijsje / Ga niet weg (both Dutch)

- both on single (Philips 327 528)

Here's a live performance clip of Danswijsje (Youtube)

1965 N’Avoue Jamais - Guy Mardel 

(France, 3^rd place)

- Als je maar nooit bekent (Dutch) - single (Philips 327 868 1.F)

- So ist die liebe , mon ami (German) - single (Philips 318 955 PF, Germany)

Here's a wonderful videoclip of the German version

1967 Il Doit faire Beau La Bas - Noëlle Cordier

 (France, 3rd place)

- Ik Weet Hoe Mooi Het Is (Dutch) - on LP Kleine Cantates (Polydor 184 119, 1967)

Corry Brokken Compilations

In 1994 a 2CD Net Als Toen (top picture) was released with the best songs of her career. 

It is still available at BeaRecords.

Two CDs with her German recordings were issued in 1995 by the specialist label Bear Family (Milord and La Mamma). 

A third Bear Family release, Die Ronnex Aufnamen, feature songs up to 1957 in German, English and Dutch and includes some previously unreleased tracks.
In 2000 a DVD Een Avond Uit Met Corry Brokken - Gouden Jaren was released featuring TV performances including Eurovision footage.
Other compilations are Corry Brokken: De Keuze van Annie De Reuver (Nostalgisch Nederland, 2009) and Milord (Dutch songs) (Rotation, 2003)

France 1965 cover in German

Coverversions Net Als Toen (Updated 2020)

Ted de Braak (Dutch, in medley)

- LP Ted de Braak zingt van toen (Ariola 206 366)

Dolf Brouwers (a.k.a Sjef van Oekel, Dutch, in medley)

- LP Specialiteiten van de Sjef  (Ariola 202 757)

André van Duin (Dutch, in medley)

- LP An'dre André

NL Pop koor Vocal Society  (medley with Weet je  + De warmte van je hart (pre-songs))

- CD  (VCD 199225)

Zangeres zonder naam (in Medley)

- LP  30 juweeltjes uit 45 jaar (1979) (EMI Bovema 058-26361, 1979)

Margot Eskens  - Damals war alles so schön (German)

- 7" b-side to Auf der grossen Himmelstrasse (Polydor 23460)

Barbara Kist -  Damals war alles so schön (German)
- CD  50 grosse Erfolge, recording from 50’s or 60’s, details wanted
Cristina Jorio - Come una volta (Italian)

- 78rpm b-side  (La voce del padrone HN 3822)

Licia Morosini - Come una volta (Italian)

- 78rpm (Fonit 15735)

Van Wood Quartet - Net als toen (Come una volta)  (italian or instrumental?)

- 78rpm b-side  (Fonit 82507)

Peter Van Wood (1927-2010) was a Dutchman living and working in Italy in the 50s, his nickname is L’Olandese Volante (The flying Dutchman)

Gunnar Thim - Säg att jag drömt (Swedish)

- EP (Odeon GEOS 71)

Birthe Wilke - Vær som du var (Danish)

- EP (Philips EP 421197 PE)

Kalevi Tauru - Oispa unta se vain (Finnish)

- 7"  / 78rpm    (Triola ts 356 and 78" RPM Triola t 4356 rel in 1958)

Benny Behr & Sem Nijveen (violin) - in medley (Instrumental)

- LP 40 jaar Stemra (Various artists) (Conamus COS 009)

- Sem Nijveen is the original violinist on Brokkens own version of Net Als Toen

Jan Corduwener (Instrumental in medley)

- EP (Philips 317765 PF)

De Fellowfoons (Instrumental)

- 7" (Fellowfoon FF 104)

Benoît Kaufman (Instrumental)

- CD   

Stef Meeder (Organ instrumental in medley)

- CD 100 Hollandse Hits (1994) (Arcade CD 01.9350.6, 1994)

Jan Menu & Jasper Soffers (Jazz instrumental)

CD      Dutch Songbook (Dig Diz Music, 2010)

Joris Verlinde (Accordion instrumental

- LP Accordion Festival (Interdisc 10022)

Coverversions Heel De Wereld

Joke Bruis, Dick Doorn & Dick Rienstra (Dutch in medley)

- LP

Enny Denita (Belgium)

- EP (BRT 117)

Additions are always welcome!

Links and sources

Eurovision Collectors Guide 1956-1995
The 10.000 Coverversions project
Corry Brokken at Discogs
Corry Brokken at Muziekweb

The One That Got Away - Jamala

Please note: this article is from 2011, I just moved it up on the Eurocovers ladder to celebrate Jamala getting the ticket to Stockholm.

Update: Jamala Wins Eurovision 2016

2011: I know it's a bit off topic as there's no Eurovision cover in sight, but below is the videoclip of the Ukrainian pre-selection song Smile by Jamala (Джамала). Y'all probably know that already and how she was robbed etcetera and how it would have won Eurovision and all that. 

This is  just a plain advertisement for Jamala's fantastic new album For Every Heart which is out now.

Jamala is a multitalented superstar who just as easily covers Yma Sumac or Shirley Bassey as well as leaving her mark on melancholic classics and her own new tunes.

For Every Heart is a coherent collection of new songs, mostly in a pop / soul vein.

There are two minor concerns: The album doesn't even start to show Jamala's broad talents: The Yma Sumac like stuff isn't there and only a few times she gives us the high octaves. It probably is best for the album to stick to one style here, but I would have certainly wanted more.

I'm also having a bit of a task grasping Jamala's English, which is sometimes hard to understand. But I'm sure she can work on that before the next opportunity for Eurovision comes along.

The album includes Smile and previous singles It's Me Jamala (I am not Gaga....) and the wonderful You're Made Of Love. There's also a few bonus tracks including a coverversion Shirley Bassey's Propellerheads hit  History Repeating. Highly recommended!

The album is out on Moon Records (MR 5117-2)
I bought mine at UMKA who ship internationally and have very decent prices.

Jamala website in English and Russian

Jamala's Youtube Channel
Listen to various Jamala songs at her MySpace and Soundcloud

Jamala's hits feature in English on the CD, but at the website and youtube you can also find the original versions of It's Me Jamala and You're Made Of Love. As far as I know Smile has only been recorded in English.

You can catch Jamala live in Kiyv (April 12), Moscow (April 15) and Singapore (May 25)

Here's a live clip of Jamala doing Yma Sumac's Gopher. totally A-Ma-Zing!

Düsseldorf 2011
For all details on the songs, versions and releases of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, please check out The Düsseldorf Collection.

Jamala to Stockholm 2016

This article is from 2011, I just moved it up on the Eurocovers ladder to celebrate Jamala getting the ticket to Stockholm.

The Stockholm Collection 2016

The Stockholm Collection features everything you need to know about this years songs, releases, versions, chart activity and other what have you's. Here are the links to the participating country's pages.

Semi final 1

Finland - Greece - Moldova - Hungary - Croatia - Netherlands - Armenia - San Marino - Russia - Czech Republic - Cyprus - Austria - Estonia - Azerbaijan - Montenegro - Iceland - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Malta

Semi final 2

Latvia - Poland - Switzerland - Israel - Belarus - Serbia - Ireland - Macedonia - Lithuania - Australia - Slovenia - Bulgaria - Denmark - Ukraine - Norway - Georgia - Belgium - Albania - Romania (OUT)

Already in the final

France - Germany - Italy - Spain - Sweden - United Kingdom