You read the news, Alice and Ellen Kessler (1936-2025) are no longer with us. They departed the way they lived: Together. Eurovision fans know them from the 1959
Eurovision entry for Germany Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen Geh’n which is one
of the earliest examples of choreography on the Eurovision stage. The song finished
in 8th place.
But the twins' fame reached far beyond
Eurovision, they sang and danced all over the world with great success in
France, Italy, the USA and their home Germany. The Eurovision records are hard to find
rarities now as are their international albums.
Here’s their Eurovision Discography
Coverversions:
France 1959 Oui Oui Oui
(french) - on EP (France: Polydor 21517 méd) also includes Hello Boy, the French version of their Eurovision song. Austria 1964 Warum nur
warum (German) as “Warum” Germany 1971 Wunder gibt
es immer wieder (German) as “Wunder” - both on LP Around the
world (Italy: Valiant ZSLV 55022) Italy 1964 This is my
prayer (English version of Non ho l’eta) - LP Discotheque dance
date (USA: Midnight records HSLP 2100).
American singer / actress Anita Bryant shot to international infamy when she used her star status in her battle to stop a Miami law against discrimination on the basis of sexual preference. That surely alienated her gay fanbase, who felt like she was smashing their heads in with the Bible. And she only wanted to stop them from recruiting (!) and molesting innocent children.
Later on she toned down a little bit and changed her crusade against the bad bad gays corrupting American family values and American society to "Hate the sin, love the sinner".
After magically surviving her birth, her career started at a young age in the pageant industry, later winning titles like Miss America Pageant and Miss Oklahoma.
At 16 she released her first record Sinful To Flirt. She scored three hits in the early 60's including Paper Roses and released christian music records later in the 60's and 70's.
When she divorced she lost her new christian fundamentalist fanbase, and her career seemed to end in bankrupcy in 1997.
In 2005 Barnsdall, Oklahoma she was honoured when a street got her name (Why?). Today she runs Anita Bryant Ministries International. (link here). (well not anymore, update ed) Read more about her birth story, (which is second to Jesus' birth only), a very effective gay orange juice boycott, a fruit pie (pictured) and Bryants life and hate campaigns and at her Wiki.
Her biography subtitled The Survival Of Our Nation's Families And The Threat Of Militant Homosexuality seems still available in the second hand bookstores bargain bins.
Anita Bryant recorded a great version Volare which appeared on her 1962 LP In A Velvet Mood (Columbia CS-8685) and it was also released as a 7" single (Columbia - S731571)
2008: Anno Domenico is a tribute to Domenico Modugno's Eurovision classic Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) which conquered the world 50 years ago. Eurocovers will feature half a century of remarkable coverversions of the Italian evergreen. With this link you'll get all the Eurocovers posts that have featured (or mentioned) the song so far.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Malmö 24 is on.
Here you can follow all the artists of Eurovision 2024 and their songs, releases (physical and digital), versions, promo info and unmissable trivia like charts, discographies, some preselection goings-on and useful links for listening and shopping. You know the drill.
Käärijä’s Finnish
stunner didn’t win in Liverpool, some of you may have noticed that. This video here
is a live version (in Finnish!) by the Icelandic Stuðlabandið (google says Stuðla= Factor) and I love how the crowd eats it up.
I’ve
been watching the Stuðlaboys for a while as their live performance videos are really impressive. They may be mostly a coverband but I’m amazed by how
their crowds go crazy every time. Their
live songs have also been released as audios through your favourite digital
sources and there’s a few Eurovision covers among them.
Cha Cha Cha is their
latest digital single.
My
absolute favourite is Draumur Um Nínu. The Icelandic entry from 1991 (known as
Nina by Stefan & Eyfi). It only ended 15th in Eurovision but it
has become the ultimate "beyond Eurovision classic" in Iceland and the crowd singing
along conforms that. They
also did Paper, the 2017 Icelandic entry by Svala Björgvinsdóttir, daughter of Bo. Svala guests on that performance.
Their
2021 Christmas (studio) EP Jóhlahól Stuðlabandsins includes Komdu Om
Jólin, a traditional Icelandic Festive staple which is actually a cover of the
1987 Italian Eurovision song Gente Di Mare by Tozzi & Raf. In 2021
they recorded Euphoria, Loreen’s first Eurovision winner from 2012 and Gleðibankinn,
the very first Icelandic Eurovision entry by Icy from 1986.
picture from Stuðlabandið facebook
Photo: I have a soft spot for bands in matching outfits :).
Over the past few years they have
moved from the dansband style to include more rock’n’glitter. Even covering Rammstein. Now somebody write them a great original
tune and get them to Malmö in 2024.
From the 2020 post: Check out SuRie's new EP Rye at your favorite digital stores.
It includes a lovely coverversion of Silent Storm (Norway's 2014 entry by Carl Espen) similar to the one performed at SuRie's Lockdown Eurovision Party 2.0. plus four new songs.
Rye Tracks:
1. Silent Storm
2. I Think
3. Lines
4. Easy
5. Rye
Rye EP artwork
Update: Thank whoever we've left the dark days behind us now but the Lockdown Eurovision Party is a great reminder of how we coped with the help of decicated artists who couldn't get a gig like SuRie here (and yes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Kitchen Discos).
SuRie, Eurovision star, put on her loudest glitter dress and gave us a wonderful performance of a stunning selection of Eurovision tunes. A real Eurocovers smorgasbord.
Her Lockdown Eurovision party 2.0 (1.0 was marred by sound gremlins) made me even appreciate songs I didn’t know I liked (Think About Things or Move for example).
It’s a 1 hour acoustic show, now available on Youtube to watch (or just listen while you’re doing those isolation DIY jobs you never knew had to be done).
You can also check out SuRie's 2019 album [ˈdʌz(ə)n]which has coverversions of a slightly different kind. (Prince, Tori Amos, U2, Stevie Wonder to name a few)
The 12-track album is available through all your favorite digitessen but only the CD version has an exclusive recording of her Eurovision entry Storm (as track 13). Yay! for CD's!
2023: Building A Woman
SuRie's new album is out now. A wonderful collection of intimate self written originals available on CD and LP here or of course through the digital outlets.
This article from 2020, preparing for the Rotterdam contest that never happened, is updated with the latest info on Ronnie Tober's new digital collection featuring two previously unreleased versions of his Eurovision song out now on a digital collection. (see versions list, scroll down a bit).
We LOVE previously unreleased versions finding their way to the world although a physical release would be appropriate.
Special thanks go to Nor Bert.
First the original bit about the coverversions (it's Eurocovers after all) then all about Ronnie Tober's own versions and releases.
Above is a lovely coverversion of the Dutch 1968 entry Morgen (Tomorrow), originally by Ronnie Tober.
The coverversion is by The New Faces, a Scottish trio who released a whole range of singles but never made it to the charts.
The band would have been perfect Eurovision material, if you listen to their songs (there's some on Youtube) they're a good mix of 60's beat and cheesy stuff in Puppet On A String style.
Above was uploaded by Mr Charlie Chalk, recommended Youtuber preserving many almost forgotten songs.
Dehongliad Cymraeg Y Fori
Welsh Eurovision singer Mary Hopkin recorded the song as Y Fori (Tomorrow).
It first appeared on a 1968 EP Mary Ac Edward, Mary being Mary Hopkin and Edward Edward Morris Jones.
On the EP only the Welsh lyricist was credited (Geiriau Ann Clee)
When it was released on a compilation LP in 1979, The Welsh World Of Mary Hopkin, the composers credited were Friml / Hooker instead of the original Joop Stokkermans, Theo Stengers (and Clee)
And on a later compilation which was probably not very official, Y Fori was categorized as Trad. (Traditional) oh well.
The recording is a bit odd too, it appears to be fading much too early, at 2 minutes, while Mary is still happily singing along. Edward is not on Y Fori.
Other covers on the EP are Welsh versions of Something Stupid and Guantanamera.
The Mary ac Edward EP
Mary Hopkins' biggest hits were Those Were The Days in 1968 and Goodbye in 1969. She also recorded Spanish, German, Italian and French versions of Those Were The Days. (For you language fans)
In 1969 she performed at the Sanremo contest in Italy. All songs were performed twice of which one rendition was by an international singer. Sergio Endrigo's Lontano Dagli Occhi was performed by our Mary. The song finished 2nd.
Mary Hopkin entered Eurovision for the U.K. in 1970, she ended 2nd with Knock, Knock Who's There? and scored another international millionseller.
Ronnie's first English version single
Ronnie Tober
Ronnie Tober himself recorded several versions of Morgen and indeed Someday (see below)
A re-recording of the English version (recorded in London) was probably aimed at the U.K. market with a more "British" beat sound than the original. Morgen ended 16th at the contest (out of 17) with only 1 point (thank you Italy).
He scored 9 top 40 hits in the Netherlands but Morgen wasn't one of them.
His 1965 preselection effort Geweldig (Grrreat) did better (it got to #23) and is probably better remembered than Morgen.
See below for all Ronnie's releases and coverversions of Morgen and the Eurovision tunes Ronnie covered himself.
At the end of this page you'll find the Spotify playlist with songs from this post available.
Two previously unreleased versions have been released in 2022 on the digital collection Ronnie Tober Singles en B-Kanten 1964-1984.
Morgen - German version
Morgen - Enkel gezongen
The "Enkel gezongen" version has a single/solo vocal whereas the other version have a double vocal with Ronnie providing his own second voice / backing vocal.
The collection has all versions from 1968 but no later re-recordings.
These tracks are on the new collection:
Geweldig (National Final 1965)
Kip in’t water (NF 1965)
Die ouwe pianola (NF 1968)
Morgen (ESC 1968) - original single
Morgen - “Enkel gezongen” (alternate without second voice)
Someday - original English of Morgen
Someday - 2nd English (here named single version)
Morgen - German version
Een hart is geen hart (U.K. 1966 cover)
Merci Cherie (Austria 1966 cover)
Morgen re-recordings
Netherlands LP: 15 Jaar Ronnie Tober (Telstar TF 8198 TL) has Morgen (new recording 1978)
Netherlands LP/CD: Zilver (Qualitel 2571/72) has Morgen (new recording 1988)
Netherlands CD: Holland Amerika Story (VA, Qualitel 252) has Morgen (in Medley, 1988)*
* medley also includes Ronnie singing Netherlands 57, 80 and 60 plus his 1965 pre-song Geweldig.
National Song Contest
Ahead of the Dutch National Final (Nationaal Songfestival) an untelevised pre-contest was held in which all four finalists sang three songs. Even though information about this is incomplete the other songs by Ronnie Tober are known to be Die Ouwe Pianola (That old pianola) and Als Ik Speel (When I play). The Pianola song ended up on the original single Morgen b-side.
All three songs were released on Ronnie's 1968 LP Ronnie's Songparade (Fontana 826 405 QY)
The original Dutch version single
Morgen / Someday - coverversions
Blue Diamonds - Someday - Netherlands 7" b-side to Angelina (Netherlands CNR UK 10 002 - Germany 7" b -side to Angelina (Germany Ariola 14101 AT) - France 7" a-side (France Ducretet Thomson FD 103) (Thanks Michel-Pierre!) - South Africa 7" a-side (South Africa STER CNR 9509)
The New Faces - Someday - U.K. 7" (Decca F 12862), promo exists - Germany 7" (Decca DL 25 358) in p.s., promo exists - South Africa 7" (Decca FM 7429) in p.s.
Mary Hopkin - Y Fori a.k.a. Yfory - U.K. EP Mary Ac Edward (Cambrian SEP 420)
Draaiorgel De Arabier (Street organ instrumental) - Netherlands EP, in medley (Philips JF 334510)
Ronnie Tober Eurocovers
(All sung in Dutch, all Netherlands releases)
1966 Merci Cherie / Een Hart Is Geen Hart (A heart is no heart) - The Austrian winner by Udo Jürgens and the U.K. entry A Man Without Love (Kenneth McKellar) - 7" (Philips 333 511 JF) comes in two sleeve variations
1969 Leve Het Leven (Long live life) - Spanish 1969 winner Vivo Cantando by Salomé - on LP Ronnie Tober Successen (Philips 873017 UBY)
1972 Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat (If it's about love) - with Robert Goliembiewski - Dutch 1972 entry by Sandra and Andres - Track 2 on cdsingle Naar De Kermis (1995, GayKrant PTS 3636 1395)
1993 Mijn Amerika (My America) - Coverversion of Mama Corsica, the 1993 French entry by Patrick Fiori - cdsingle (Koch 346 078)
If you know of any other release or coverversion of Morgen, please let me know.
While my Nicki French CD is
probably held hostage by customs I took some time to check out another new
Eurovision coverversion project. Sennek, Belgian Eurovision singer
in Lisbon has released four Eurovision songs over the past few months now
bundled in a digital EP Eurovision Unplugged. (scroll down if you have Spotify)
The tracks: - Ding A Dong (Netherlands 1975,
Teach In) - Just A Little Bit (Ooh, Aah)
(United Kingdom 1996, Gina G.) - Gelukkig Zijn (Belgium 1975, Ann
Christy) - Rise Like A Phoenix (Austria 2014,
Conchita Wurst) Four lovely versions, sort of
unplugged. Just A Little Bit is a lush jazzy affair which shows that it’s more
than a disco tune. Gelukkig Zijn is sung in Dutch and
English, just like that legendary performance in Stockholm back in 1975.
Senneks version is a gentle Bossanova and her vocal performance is delicious. Now go to your favorite digital
outlets and get a hold of this. Sennek’s own Eurovision song A
Matter Of Time didn’t make it to the final. More about that one here at theLisbon Collection.
But if you can't wait until your hardcopy arrives, your favourite digitals already have it.
Here's the tracklist for the CD and digital release. 1. Dont
Play That Song Again 2015 Matt Pop edit 2. One
Step Further 3. Love
Games 4. My
Star 5. Too
Late For Love 6. Go
(Before You Break My Heart) (Ballad Mix) 7. You
Are The Only One 8. Ding
A Dong 9. I'm
Never Giving Up 10. Shine 11. Hold
Me Now 12. Tonight
Again (Pete Ware Mix) 13. Don't
Play That Song Again (Candlelight Mix) 14. One
Step Further (Matt Pop Extended Remix) 15. Love
Games (Matt Pop Extended Remix) 16. You
Are The Only One (Project K's Melodrama Remix) 17. Ding
A Dong - Pete Ware Simply Divine Mix
I'm a bit busy/lazy so: Below is the Nicki French article from May 17, 2021 when her Let's Play That Song Again EP was released. I moved it up. Yay!.
Nicki French, you either love her or adore her. But I have a confession to make. When Don't Play That Song Again won A Song For Europe I was not immediately bowled over. Sorry Nicki.
I was there on that 13th of May in Stockholm and saw Nicki give it her all and from that moment I began to see the light.
And today I love it to bits. Also because it's an excellent example of clever songsmithery by John Springate and Gerry Shepherd.
Fast Foward to 2021:
Let's Play That Song Again Vol. 2 is the third Nicki French EP (or mini album as they call it now) offering a number of Eurovision Coverversions (Nicki loves Eurovision) that also includes new versions of Don't Play.. (see below)
The Tracks:
1. I’m Never Giving Up (Matt Pop Radio Edit) 2. Shine (Pete’s Shine Like a Star Mix) 3. Eurovision Mini-Medley 4. Don’t Play That Song Again (Candlelight Mix) 5. I’m Never Giving Up (Matt Pop Dream Sweet Club Mix) 6. Shine (Pete’s Shine Like the Sun Mix) 7. Don’t Play That Song Again (New Extended Version) 8. Eurovision Mega Medley
the original cdsingle
The two versions of Nicki's own Eurovision tune are new versions making the total of versions a nice round 11 (afaik). Whatever will be next, a French version?
Shine is one of the most used titles in Eurovision and Nicki opts for the Russian entry of 2014 by the Tolmachevy Sisters. A bit random maybe, since she also recorded a Russian entry on the 2019 EP.
I'm Never Giving Up is the U.K. entry of 1983, originally by Sweet Dreams.
Now if someone could only convince Nicki to record Boum Bada Boum by Minouche Barelli for her next Eurovision release.
Let's Play That Song Again Vol. 2 is available at Energise Records on CD and as digital download. Or if you're poor, it's also at your regular streamers.
Volume 0 and Volume 1
Eurocovers has featured the other Nicki French Eurovision EP's back in 2015 and 2019.
(If you click the pictures you'll go to the original Eurocovers posts) They are still available at Energise records.
Don't Play That Song Again from the Eurovision Collectors Guide.
Dario Campeotto passed away on the 1st of April at the age of 84.
Below is the post about his romantic Eurovision classic Angelique from 2010.
Let's take a short trip back to 1961. The 6th Eurovision song contest was held in Cannes, France. A record breaking 16 countries were present and the contest was won by Luxembourg. They hired French singer Jean Claude Pascal to do the job and his Nous Les Amoureux was the first of five Luxembourg victories.
But it's another song I want to rant about a bit here, as several versions have been frequenting my playlists recently.
Angelique Angelique, written by Aksel V. Rasmussen, was the Danish entry. Danish Italian Dario Campeotto performed it and ended 5th.
Campeotto recorded the song in Danish, Italian and French and 40 years later also in English. Angelique is one of the Danish entries that became an evergreen at home but also inspired a few international stars to record the song.
The song was covered in at least 10 languages with an Estonian version by Kalmer Tennosaar probably being the most exotic.
1958 Eurovision winner André Claveau recorded the song in French for his EP Les Amoureux De Minuit (Pathé Marconi EG 557).
Dario Campeotto himself recorded coverversions of several Italian entries Volare (1958), Piove (1959), Romantica (1960), Al Di Là (1961) and Uno Per Tutte (1963).
Brasil
I know of two Portuguese versions recorded in Brasil which were both originally released on good old 78 RPM discs.
Brasil had 78RPMs until the mid sixties and a few more will be featured here at Eurocovers soon.
João Dias - Angélica - on 78rpm Transformação (Odeon 14757)
Carlos Gonzaga - Angélica - on 78rpm (RCA 802501, 1962) - LP O Cantor Hit Parade (RCA BBL 1208)
A Dutch, or rather Flemish version was recorded by Ray Franky (1917-2002). Ray Franky was a popular singer in Belgium sincejust after WWII and all through the 50's and 60's. He was the first Belgian artist ever who received a golden disc. His most popular song (from 100s) probably was Oh Heideroosje (Oh, Little Heather-rose).
Ray Franky also recorded 'n Beetje (Netherlands 1959) and Romantica (Italy 1960).
Finland
Of the 44 versions I have listed an impressive 19 are in Finnish (and only 6 in Danish).
I think the oldest of the Finnish ones is from a 7" inch single by Olavi Virta (Nor disk ND 16) but the Fins have been singing about Angelique in most decades since that version.
Other Finnish versions are by Matti Asla, Johnny Forsell, Kari Tapio and Raimo Sirkiä.
Olavi Virta also recorded Finnish versions of Aprite Le Finestre, (Italy 56), Volare and T'En Va Pas (Switzerland 63) -
The last version here is by I Cinque Di Roma. I haven't been able to find much about them, but I did read they were regulars at Moçambique hotels. But they're probably from Rome. And there's five of them.
Their Angelique is a blend of English and Italian and was originally released on the LP I Cinque Di Roma (Parlophone). I just added it here because it's so utterly lovely.
Colin Day (one of the Allisons, see this Eurocovers post) recorded an English version which was released as a b-side to his single Brasil (Parlophone R 4803).
There was a version written in the U.S. with lyrics by Dick Loring and Allen Hood for Ardmore Music*, but I don't know if any American singer ever recorded it. (do you?)
