The Shape of Things To Come - Epitafi

Lea Laven recorded "Epitafi" (The Epitaph) in 1972 to somewhat obscure Finnish lyrics by Chrisse Johansson. It was released on her "Vuisikertaa" album. The original song was called "The Shape of Things To Come" (not to be confused with the Yardbirds' 1966 song "Shapes of Things"). It was written by famous songwriting duo Cynthia Weill and Barry Mann for the 1968 US exploitation movie "Wild in the Streets" and performed by a fictional band named Max Frost and the Troopers. Actually the song was performed by a studio group called The 13th Power. The song became a number 22 hit on the US Billboard charts. You can see the song performed in the movie, here. 

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Goodbye Girl - Jos yksin nyt jäät

Kari Tapio recorded "Jos yksin nyt jäät" (If you now are left alone) in 1979 for one of his many "Kari Tapio" -named albums. The Finnish lyrics were crafted by Pertsa Reponen. Kari's interpretation is easily on a par with the original. The original song "Goodbye Girl" was the title song for the 1977 movie "The Goodbye Girl". It was written and performed by American singer-songwriter David Gates. (perhaps best known as the lead singer of the group Bread). The song hit number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. BTW, Richard Dreyfuss won a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this romatic comedy film directed by Herbert Ross.

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Magic Moments - Kauniit muistot

I hope that my blog has re-created some beautiful memories and magic moments. Today's finnpick is called "Kauniit muistot" (Beautiful memories). It was recorded by Olavi Virta (see earlier entry)   in 1958. This is one of Olavi's lesser known songs, even if the original is widely-known evergreen. It was titled "Magic Moments" and performed orignally by Perry Como in 1957. It was written by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) and was one of the first collaborations by that duo. The song was only a moderate chart hit in USA, but a smash in UK, where it spent 8 weeks at number one.

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Stormy - Myrsky

Let's hear another cover of a Classics IV song. Beni Siltala (real name Pentti Siltala) recorded "Myrsky" in 1972. It was released only on a budget compilation album, and therefore quite hard to find. It might have been the first song that at the time 19-year old Beni recorded. He subsequently continued his career as a schlager singer and songwriter releasing 3 albums. The Finnish lyrics for "Myrsky" were provided by our old acquaintance Kari Kuuva. The original song "Stormy" was written by Classics IV guitarists Buie and Cobb, and - understandably - resebled a lot their previous smash hit (and yesterday's finnpick) "Spooky". You cans see Classics IV perform the song, here.

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Spooky - Hamppu-aave

Lea Laven recorded very-oddly-named "Hamppu-aave" (Weed ghost) in 1970 for her album "Lea Laven - Se jokin". Considering drug associated title, it's perhaps understandable that the song was never released as a single, even if the original one was an international hit. The Finnish lyrics - obscure but quite innocent - were provided by Chrisse Johansson. The original was originally an instrumental jazz tune, composed and performed by saxophonist Mike Sharpe. It was picked up by a pop rock group Classics IV, and band's guitarists J.R. Cobb and Buddy Buie added lyrics to it. Subsequently, the single "Spooky" went up to number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100. The lead singer of Classics IV, Dennis Yost, has been credited as the creator of the "Southern Soft Rock" sound. He was known as "the singer's singer" and "The Classic One" because of his smooth, unique voice, and was described as singing "with a tear in his voice".

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Mendocino - Iivantiiraan

The original of today's finnpick was one my absolute favourites in the 60's. The Finnish version "Iivantiiraan" was made in 1997 by a group called Highway, and released on their mini-CD "Seitsemättä päivää ...". It contained also another Doug Sahm cover ("She's About A Mover"). Not much is known about the group Highway, but Iivantiira is a tiny village (50 households) in the eastern-most Finland, in Kuhmo commune. The original of today's finnpick was called "Mendocino" and it was moderate hit for tex-mex band Sir Douglas Quintet in 1968. The song was written by the band's leader Doug Sahm, who is considered as one of the most important figures in Tejano music (or Tex-Mex music). After Sir Douglas Quintet he formed, together with Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender and Flaco Jimenez, the famous Texas Tornados. Mendocino is a small town in California. The town's name comes from Cape Mendocino, named by early Spanish navigators in honor of Antonio de Mendoza, who commissioned the expedition of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo to explore the western coastline of California in 1542-43. You can see Doug Sahm perform "Mendocino" live, here.

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James Dean - James Dean

Vicky Rosti recorded "James Dean" in 1976 for her album "1-2-3-4 Tulta!". It was released only as an album track. A very professional team was responsible for production (Jaakko Salo), arrangement (Veikko Samuli) and Finnish lyrics (Juha Vainio). The original was one of the Eagles' classics, titled also (of course) "James Dean". On the morning of September 30th, 1955, 24-year-old actor James Dean rode his silver Porsche 550 Spyder (purchased just a few days earlier) from Hollywood to Salinas, and had a head-on collision, dying instantly. Hence the lyrics in the Eagles' song: "Along came a Spyder and picked up a rider. And took him down the road to eternity". You can see Eagles perform the song live, here.

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Your Kiss is Sweet - Suukkosuma

Ami Aspelund recorded "Suukkosuma" (Wealth of kisses) in 1975. It was released as B-side of a single that sadly flopped. Responsible for the Finnish lyrics and production was Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Your Kiss is Sweet" was co-written and performed by Syreeta (b. Syreeta Wright). The song was released on the 1974 album "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta". This song "Your Kiss Is Sweet" was released also as a single and presented her with a chart success. Stevie Wonder, who co-wrote the song and produced the album, was also doing background vocals on this reggae-flavoured song.

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Nickels and Dimes - Lantteja vain

Katri Helena recorded "Lantteja vain" (Nickels and dimes only) for her album "Sydämeni tänne jää" in 1980. Katri had very good company with this; the arranger was Veikko Samuli and the Finnish lyrics were provided by Juice Leskinen. The original song "Nickels and Dimes" was co-written and performed by Dolly Parton. It was released on her 1978 album "Heartbreaker". It was her 20th solo studio album and released following the huge pop crossover success of "Here You Come Again". Heartbreaker was designed as an even more direct aim at the pop charts, but this finnpicked song was pure country.

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Reflections - Kipinä

Anja Niskanen (see earlier entry) recorded "Kipinä" (The Spark) in 1991 for her album "Ikkuna". It was released only as an album track, although the song might have had hit potential. The original was one of the Supremes' greatest hits titled "Reflections" released in 1967. At this point the group had already been re-christened as Diana Ross & The Supremes. It was one of their last hits written and produced by Holland–Dozier–Holland team. The song was influenced by the psychedelic rock sounds of the time. You can see Supremes perform the song, here.

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Morningtown Ride - Matka aamun kaupunkiin

Erkki Liikanen started his recording career in the 60's, but his single releases were not very succesful at the time. This "Matka aamun kaupunkiin" (The ride to morningtown) was his 6th single and was released in 1967. The Finnish lyrics were done by Jussi Raittinen, a popular pop/rock artist, and the arrangements by Aarno Raninen, also a singing artist in his own right. The original song was a lullaby written by American folk legend Malvina Reynolds (finnpicked earlier, see here) in 1957. However she didn't record it herself until 1970. The first recording was made by the folk group Limeliters in 1962 for their live album "Through Children's Eyes". It was later recorded by The Seekers and released on their 1964 album "Hide and Seekers". For some reason, it wasn't released as a single until 1966, when it became international hit for them. You can see them perform the song, here.

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Never Ending Song Of Love - Mun on niin hyvä olla

Well, Finnpicks has made it to Anno Domini 2012 - and that makes me feel fine :-). So, the first entry for this new year is "Mun on niin niin hyvä olla" (I feel so fine) by Lea Laven. She recorded it in 1973 and it was released as a B-side to "On ja ei" (cover of Suzi Quatro's "Can he Can"), finnpicked earlier, see here. The Finnish lyrics were provided by Lea's standard lyricist Chrisse Johansson. The original song was performed rock & soul conglomeration called Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.  It was fronted by husband-and-wife singer-songwriters Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. This "Never Ending Song Of Love" is credited to Delaney only. The song was a single taken from largely acoustic 1971 album "Motel Shot", and it was Billboard's number 67 single of the year 1971. In UK, the group New Seekers made a version that rose all the way to number 2 in the UK Charts and became one of the biggest selling singles of that year. You can see them perform the song, here. 
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It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Vuoden vaan saan Joulua odottaa

Let's present another track from Timo T.A. Mikkonen's Christmas Album "Joulusydän" (Christmas Heart). "Vuoden vaan saan Joulua odottaa" (It's only a year till next Christmas). The Finnish lyrics for this one were provided by famous Finnish poet and writer Tarleena Sammalkorpi. The original carol was called "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" written in 1963 and recorded and released that year by pop singer Andy Williams for his first Christmas album, The "Andy Williams Christmas Album".

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Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!, Let It Snow! - Lunta saa tuiskuttaa

As we all know so very well, Christmas is near. There's been quite exceptional weather conditions in Finland - especially in Southern Finland - this winter. No snow, but water everywhere. Finnpicks sends now this Christmas Wish to weather gods: "Lunta saa tuiskuttaa" (Let the snow fall). Timo T.A. Mikkonen recorded the song with that title in 1989 for his Christmas Album "Joulusydän". Timo has many years been a prominent figure in Finnish entertainment - in various ways. This album was his one of his rare attempts in singing. For it, he selected many famous Christmas songs not covered in Finnish before. The original version of today's Finnpick was "Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!". It was written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne already in 1945. It was first recorded by baritone singer Vaughn Monroe (sometimes called "the Baritone with Muscles") and has since been covered countless times by many artists. It is commonly regarded as a Christmas song - but despite the song's winter holiday feel, it is a love song that never mentions Christmas.

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Stupid Cupid - Tuttu juttu

Arja Koriseva (see earlier entry) recorded "Tuttu juttu" (A familiar story) for her debut album in 1990. This particular track was not released as a single, but the album was very popular and the sales earned her platinum in 1991. The Finnish lyrics were written by Turkka Mali, a finnpicked artist himself (see here). It's somewhat peculiar that this famous song was not covered in Finnish prior to Arja's version. The original was namely "Stupid Cupid", a massive pop hit for Connie Francis already in 1958. The song was composed by Neil Sedaka and it was chosen (by Connie herself) to be Francis' single as it was in contrast to her preceding ballad hits (most notably "Who's Sorry Now").

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Washington Square - Washington Square

The vocal group Neljä Penniä ("Four Pennies") recorded in 1964, in the wake of folk music boom the song "Washington Square". This was their one and only single, but they sang backing vocals in many Finnish records at the time. The group onsisted of Ritva Mustonen, Heikki Laurila, Rauno Lehtinen and Raimo Henriksson. They all were renown singers/musicians. This song continued the fine Finnish tradition of doing vocal covers of instumental hits. The original "Washington Square" was a number 2 US hit for The Village Stompers. They were a dixieland music group originating from Greenwich Village, New York. Washington Square Park is one of the best-known of New York public parks. It is the landmark of Greenwich Village and since the end of World War II, folksingers had been congregating on Sunday afternoons in the park.

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Poor Side Of Town - Tämän kaupungin yöt

Inga Sulin is a first-timer in Finnpicks. She started her recording career in 1965 and ended it in 1980. She recorded 4 albums and several singles but never really broke through as a singer. But she's done a remarkable career in theater and television. On her second album "Feelings (1976) were many covers of such diverse originals as Van McCoys "Hustle" and Hoagy Carmichaels's "Stardust", and this "Tämän kaupungin yöt" (The nights of this town). It's quite an extraordinary version of "Poor Side Of Town", which is the most known song of Johnny Rivers (b. John Henry Ramistella). Johnny's been finnpicked before, see here. This song was written by Rivers himself, together with his producer Lou Adler.

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Don't Fear The Reaper - Kuin Romeo ja Julia

In some respect, today's finnpick "Kuin Romeo ja Julia" (Like Romeo and Juliet) shares the theme with yesterday's "Nuori kuolemaan" (Too young to die). In deed, Romeo and Juliet died so very young.  The group Pelle Miljoona & Rockers feat. Andy McCoy recorded the song in 1995. Andy was the former member of the famous Finnish rock group Hanoi Rocks and made a short stint with - almost as famous - Pelle Miljoona & Rockers in 1995-1997, making some recordings and one tour. This "Kuin Romeo ja Julia" was released on a Finnish rock compilation album in 1995. The lyrics (by Pelle Miljoona, real name Petri Tiili)) contain references to Andy and his wife Angela, as if depicting them as modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Andy McCoy (real name Antti Hulkkonen) takes the lead vocals on this one. The original song was the biggest hit of the US rock group Blue Oyster Cult. "Don't Fear The Reaper" was released on the group's 1976 album "Agents of Fortune" and when released as a single, reached number 12 in Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by lead guitarist Donald Roeser and it's about the inevitability of death that one shouldn't be afraid of.

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National Brotherhood Week - Valtakunnallinen toveruusviikko

We presented Vesa-Matti Loiri's "Voi saasta" song here. On the B-side of this 1970 single was "Valtakunnallinen toveruusviikko" (National brotherhood week). The Finnish lyrics (by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila") referenced to some real then-day Finnish celebrities by their real name. The idea of the song was of course the same as in the original: there should be one designated week of the year when even the most bitter enemies would be friends/brothers. The original song was the namesake "National Brotherhood Week", and it is one of the most famous songs of the American satirist Tom Lehrer. Lehrer does not name names, with one exception: The line "Lena Horne and Sheriff Clark are dancing cheek to cheek" refers to singer and civil rights activist Lena Horne and to Sheriff Jim Clark, of Selma, Alabama, who was responsible for a violent attack on civil rights marchers. You can see Tom present the song - with oral introduction - here.In this live concert version "Cassius Clay dances cheek to cheek with Mrs (Lurleen) Wallace", the Governor of Alabama, who strongly opposed to racial desegration in Alabama.

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Oh Lonesame Me - Tänään on sunnuntai

This Finnpick is very 'up-to-date', simply because it's called "Tänään on sunnuntai" (Today is Sunday). Tuula Siponius recorded the song on 1960, and it was released on the B-side of her hit single "Tom Pillibi". The arranger and the conductor of the backing orchestra was Jaakko Borg. The Finnish lyrics were written by Reino Helismaa using one of his many pseudonyms, Rauni Kouta. The original song "Oh Lonesame Me" was written and performed by country legend Don Gibson, with Chet Atkins producing in 1958. The song topped the US country chart and reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was one of the all-time greatest, because on the B-side was "I Can't Stop Loving You", that became massive success for Ray Charles 4 years later. You can see Don perform "Oh Lonesame Me", here.

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