Green Green - Maantie

Georg Dolivo was a member in the popular vocal group Kivikasvot, and recorded only four songs as a solo singer. "Maantie" (Country road) was released as a single in 1964 and it was on the flipside of our earlier Finnpick "Pieni palanen kultaa" (see here) The original song was performed by American folk group The New Christy Minstrels. The lead vocals in the song were delivered by Barry McGuire (yes, he of "Eve of Destruction" fame), who also co-wrote it. Minstrels sold millions of records in USA and were in constant demand at concerts and on television shows. They also launched the musical careers of several musicians (in addition to McGuire), including Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark, Kim Carnes and Jerry Yester. "Minstrel" show, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface (i.e. their faces painted in black). N.C.M took their name after Christy's Minstrels, a blackface group formed by Edwin Pearce Christy, a well-known ballad singer, in 1843. You can see New Christy Minstrels perform "Green Green" live, here.

Here's the pair:

My True Carrie Love - Pieni palanen kultaa

The group Kivikasvot from yesterday's Finnpicks were not primarily a recording oufit. They concentrated in TV work. But the members of the group all cut solo tracks. Most notably Matti 'Fredi' Siitonen, but also the other three original members. One of those was Georg Dolivo who recorded two singles. This "Pieni palanen kultaa" (A small nugget of gold) was on the second one in 1964. Georg was in the vocal group Kukonpojat (see previous entry) before joining Kivikasvot. The original is a rare song by Nat 'King' Cole (b. Nathaniel Adam Coles). It was the B-side of his 1964 single. Sadly - for being a such good catchy tune - it usually is omitted from Cole's compilation albums. This must be one of his last recordings, as he died in February 1965.

Here's the pair: