The Last Waltz - Viimeinen valssi

Thia ia the last waltz in Finnpicks. Harri Haka (real name Stig Hagström) recorded "Viimeinen valssi" (Last waltz) in 1967 but didn't succeed chartwise with it. It was the A-side to "Peltipurkki", finnpicked earlier, see here.  The Finnish lyrics were done by Jyrki Lindström, who was a popular lyricist and translator especially in the 60's, but his career as a lyricist was quite short. Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) recorded the same song two years later for his debut album. The original song, "The Last Waltz", was written by English sonqwriers Batty Mason and Leslie Reed and it was s smash hit for Engelbert Humperdinck (b. Arnold George Dorsey) in 1967. You can see him perform the song, here.

Only 4 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the triplet:

Je t'attends - Maa muuttukoon

Pasi Kaunisto had one of his greatest and most loved hits with "Maa muuttukoon" (May the world change) in 1970. The immaculate lyrics were provided by Veikko "Vexi" Salmi. The original song "Je t'attends" (I am waiting for you) was written and performed by French legend Gilbert Becaud (b. François Silly). "Monsieur 100000 Volts" wrote many worldwide hits, of which the best-known are perhaps "Et Maintenant" (What Now My Love), "Je t'appartiens" (Let I Be Me) and "Nathalie" (finnpicked here).

Here's the pair:

Daddy Dear - Isä ja lapsi

Kauko Käyhkö (see earlier entry) recorded "Isä ja lapsi" (Father and child) under his pseudonym "Justeeri" in 1956 together with Peppina (real name Peppina von Deringer). Peppina recorded half a dozen children songs in the 50's, both as a solo, and duetting with Georg Malmsten and Tapio Rautavaara. We present here also a newer popular version by Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) and Susanna Nio (see earlier entry) recorded in 1972. Both versions use the lyrics by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original song was made popular by actor/singer/comedian Danny Kaye, who recorded "Daddy Dear" (aka "Little Child") in 1955. Danny sings it with his daughter Dena Kaye. The original version is said to be the one by Bud Roman and Laurie Wayne. You can hear it, here. However, the writer of the song was American composer and producer Wayne Shanklin, whose best known song is "Chanson D'Amour".

Here's the triplet:

The Elephant Song - Ihminen on tehnyt sen

Pasi Kaunisto (see earlier entry) released "Ihminen on tehnyt sen" (It was caused by man) as a single in 1976. It was a minor hit and one of the first 'environment-aware' pop songs in Finland. The elephant in the original song was changed in Juha Vainio's lyrics into bear, that was more at home in Finnish nature. The original "The Elephant Song" was of Dutch origin. It was written by Hans van Hemert, a music producer and songwriter, Mouth & MacNeal and Luv' being the greatest pop acts he produced. He composed also three songs for the Eurovision Song Contest. "The Elephant Song" was made famous by Kamahl , which is the stage name of Kandiah Kamalesvaran, an Australian singer, born in Malaysia. In 1975 the song hit number one in Dutch and Belgian charts. The song was used in the soundtrack of a World Wildlife Fund TV documentary.

Here's the pair:

Adagio Cardinal - Koskaan et muuttua saa

Pasi Kaunisto (see previous entry) was extremely popular Finnish schlager singer in the beginning of 70's. His first hit was "Koskaan et muuttua saa" in 1969. It is also a song that Pasi is best remembered by. A true Finnish schlager classic. The original tune is quite extraodinary case, becouse theres' so little information about it. It was (as far as I know) an instrumental composition called "Adagio Cardinal" that was composed by Guy Boyer and Michael Vasquez. And that's about all I know of this tune. Guy Boyer was a French musician, mainly playing the piano and vibraphone in pop/variety groups in the 60's. He has also composed music for film sound tracks, radio and television. Michael Vasquez is quite a mystery. I have not found any information on him, which is peculiar, becouse if he has composed this most beautiful song, he should have been famous. This track I've found in the net bears the Michael Vasquez name label, but I'm not sure if it really is he (and his orchestra) - or Paul Mauriat who allegedly has made a version of it. But anyhow, it's really worth to listen!

Updated on 12.07.2009: added Raymond Lefevre's version.
Updated on 21.07.2009: added Danielle Licari's version (Sorry about the glitches).

Cento campane - Sata kelloa

This is Finnpick number 100!. So, I think it's appropriate to choose a song that bears the title "Sata kelloa" (A hundred bells). It was recorded by Pasi Kaunisto in 1973. Pasi's recording career began in 1968, and he was very populat artist in the first years of the 1970's. After this his popularity waned and at one point tried new career as undertaker (!) but has since come back into music business, performing mainly spiritual songs and classical music. The oroginal version of "Sata kelloa" was coming from Italy and was called "Cento campane" (A hundred bells). It was the theme song for the very popular TV serie in 1971 - "Il segno del comando" (The sign of the commander). (The series was shown in Finnish televison with the title "Käskijän merkki" in 1973). The song was recorded by the singer Nico Tirone. Nico had been a member in 60's Italian beat group called Nico e i Gabbiani (Nico and The Gulls), and continued as solo artist in 70's with the moniker Nico dei Gabbiani. 'Cento campane' wasn't a big hit in Italy until a year later when recorded by Lando Fiorini.

Here's the pair: