Sunday, September 08, 2013

Release news: Monica Z. - The film and the music

This week, September 13,  sees the premiere of the Swedish film Monica Z., a biopic about the life of Monica Zetterlund, Swedens legendary queen of jazz. 
Eurovision fans know Monica Zetterlund best from her wonderful 1963 Eurovision song En Gång I Stockholm (Once upon a time in Stockholm).
The film focusses on the early career of Zetterlund, when she was a critically acclaimed jazz singer, working with some of the jazz greats like Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Louis Armstrong and Arne Domérius.

Edda Magnason takes up the challenge of portraying Monica Z. Not only does she play her in the film, but she also sings all the tracks in the movie and on the soundtrack herself.

The soundtrack  is released on CD and is out now. The musical score is arranged and produced by pianist Peter Nordahl. It includes En Gång I Stockholm and several other Zetterlund classics. (Universal 0602537-35291, tracklist below).   
You can watch another clip, Sakta Vi Gå Genom Stan,  here at Aftonbladtet tv.

Monica's Melodifestival
Monica Zetterlund’s first entered the Swedish national final in 1962 with the song När Min Vän (When my friend, also performed by Carli Tornehave) which ended 2nd behind the winner Sol Och Vår (performed by both Inger Berggren who took it to Eurovision and by Lily Berglund)

In 1963 En Gång I Stockholm was one of 12 songs in the national competition. It was performed with orchestra by Zetterlund and with a small combo by Carli Tornehave.
The music is by Bobbie Ericsson, who also wrote the 1961 Swedish entry April April for Siw Malmkvist. The lyrics were written by Beppe Wolgers, a.k.a as Efraim Långstrump (Longstocking), Pipi's Papa. 
In Eurovision the song ended last with 0 poing, possibly because the songs style, a very slow jazz ballad, didn’t fit the Eurovision mold.
Ending last didn’t hurt Zetterlunds career and En Gång I Stockholm became an evergreen that is still performed and recorded today. 

In 1972 Monica’s last Eurovision attempt, Krama Mig Och Dansa (Hold me and dance with me) ended 6th in the Swedish Melodifestival.

Monica Zetterlund died in 2005 in a tragic fire accident in her Stockholm home.

En Gång I Stockholm Discography
Monica Zetterlund
- on 7” Philips 350 224 1F, no picture sleeve
Lily Berglund
- Also perfomed in the Swedish NF, no studio recording was released.
Alice Babs
- on LP Alice Babs 67 (from 1966)' and VA EP Hjälp lions hjälpa (HMV 7EGS 344)
Margareta Bengtson
- on CD Margareta Bengtson (2009)
Monica Borrfors
- on CD Monica sjunger Monica
Helena Eriksson
- on CD Sjunger Monica Zetterlund (2007, CDA LBMZ 07)
Caroline Henderson
- on CD Don't explain (2003, Stunt records)
Margareta Jonth (Opera singer) with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
- on LP (1978, EMI 06235612)
Edda Magnason
- on CD Monica Z., OST (2013, Universal 0602537-35291)
Anna Norrby
- on CD Stockholmsbilder (1998, CDA-CAP - 21589)
The Real Group (acapella group)
- on CD Röster (1991)
Anne-Lie Rydé
- on CD Stulna kyssar  (1992, EMI 4750252)
Testbild!
- on CD Splendid Isolation (VA, Friendly noise FYN 68)
Svante Thuresson
- on LP Jag är hip baby (1995)
Grethe and Jørgen Ingmannn 
---- - So near, yet so far (English)
- on LP Winners and losers from European Television Song Contests (Metronome MLP 15267)
Sone Banger (Accordion)
- on LP Ett glatt humör (1976, Ljud-banger: lb 1004)
Arne Domnérus Orkester (Instrumental)     
- on EP (HMV. 7 EGS 270)
Bengt Hallberg (Instrumental)
 - on CD Improvisation (1989, Musik på Drottningholm MPD CD 1)
Georg Riedel, Arne Domnérus and Rune Gustafsson (Instrumental)
- on LP Vårat gäng (1979, Sonet SLP 2647)

These are the versions I know of, if you know more or have any corrections, please let me know.


Tracklist Monica Z. - Musiken från filmen
1. Sakta Vi Gå Genom Stan
2. Hit The Road Jack
3. Monicas Vals
4. O Vad En Liten Gumma Kan Gno
5. En Gång I Stockholm
6. It Could Happen To You
7. Gröna Små Äpplen
8. Trubbel
9. Du
10. Bedårande Sommarvals
11. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
12. I New York
13. Monica Z - Svit Ur Filmen - by Peter Nordahl

links and sources
Monica Zetterlund sällskapet website
Edda Magnason website
Stellanova film website
Eurovision Collectors Guide: 10000 coverversions project
Melodifestivalen Genom Tiderna - book by Leif Thorsson

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