Pepe - Pepe

Rauni Pekkala (see earlier entry) recorded "Pepe" in 1961. It was also covered by Brita Koivunen in the same year, but Rauni's version was more popular. Both used the same lyrics made by Kari Tuomisaari. The original song was written by German composer Hans Wittstatt in 1956 as "Andalusisches Mädchen" (Andalusian girl). Some years later it was transformed in English to "Pepe" and in 1960 it was interpreted by Shirley Jones in the film of the same name. You can see the performance here. In 1961 Caterina Valente covered the song and obtained a Top Ten hit in Germany. And I think that's where Rauni's song got it's inspiration.

Here's the pair:

Deeper And Deeper - Riemua riittää

Markku Karjalainen makes his Finnpicks debut (although his song can be found as a 'bonus track' here). He was quite popular pop singer in 1973-74 making couple of singles and one album. But after his megahit "Läähätän ja läkähdyn" in 1973, his glory day were soon over - for some reason. This "Riemua riittää" (Fun lasts) was a track on his sole album "M.m.m" (1974). The lyrics were provided by Pertsa Reponen. The original song "Deeper And Deeper" was the from the pens Mike 'Harvey' Price and Dan Walsh, two Los Angeles based songwriters. It was a non-charted 1973 single of an American pop music group Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. They are known mainly for their 1974 number one hit single "Billy Don't Be A Hero" (originally done in UK by Paper Lace). This "Deeper And Seeper" was the single that preceded their breakthrough "Billy" -single. BTW, Bo Donaldson was the band's keyboard player Robert Walter "Bo" Donaldson.

Here's the pair:

He Is Your Brother - Mielin määrin

The three Kiviharju sisters known as Seidat (see earlier entry) recorded "Mielin määrin" (Anyway you like) in 1973 for their "Seidat" -album. The lyrics were made by another Finnish pop star Arto Sotavalta. The original was "He Is Your Brother", recorded in 1972 by ABBA, at the time known as 'Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid'. It was only issued as a single in Scandinavia, and was taken from the group's debut album Ring Ring, which was released in 1973. As ABBA had not yet achieved a great following outside of their native Sweden at the time, the song only charted in Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it did not reach the sales chart, but was a big radio hit. ou can see ABBA perform the song during the group's tour inAustralia in 1977, here.

Here's the pair:

Hello Mr. Business Man - Raskas työ

After presenting so many smooth female voices recently, it's now time to change into more manly rendition. Kirka recorded "Raskas työ" (Hard work) for his 1981 "Kirka" -album. The lyrics were again provided by Raul Reiman. Although this song had some single potential it remained just as an album track. The original song came from Germany. The writer was producer-songwriter Bernd Möhrle (finnpicked earlier here and here) . The performing artist was a female disco duo called Le Angeli. They had a continental disco hit with this song originally titled as "Hello Mr. Business Man" in 1981. You can see them perform their other hit "Easy Lovin', Easy Livin" here.

Here's the pair:

La chanson orientale - Yhdet ainoat autonvalot

This song is strangely enchanting. Ritva Palukka recorded only two singles, and this "Yhdet ainoat autonvalot" (Only one pair of headlights) was on the B-side of the first one. On the B-side was Ritva's version of the 1965 Eurovision song contest winner "Poupee de cire poupee de son". This B-side is unfairly forgotten, becouse it is far better than the A-side (at least in my opinion). The original song "Le chanson oriental" (The oriental song) was a European hit for French singer and crooner Sacha Distel (b. Alexandre Distel). Besides being a singer he also was an exceptional jazz guitarist. Sacha was a romantic icon who in France became a latterday Maurice Chevalier. The song tells a story of a man who meets a strange beautiful dancer while holidaying in the Orient.

Here's the pair:

Mama Lorraine - On hienoa olla ihminen

Let's pick another goodie from Katri Helena's 1981 album "Kotimaa". This "On hienoa olla ihminen" (It's fine to be human) is another masterpiece of Katri and lyricist Raul Reiman. And the arrangement is also first class; done by Veikko Samuli. The original song was also this time coming from Germany. The writer was Bernd Dietrich, who also wrote earlier Finnpicks "Banaania poskeen" (see here) and "Tavataanko taas" (see here) and the performer G. G. Anderson. His real name is Gerd Günther Grabowski and he was quite successful especially as a composer, but also as a producer and performer during the Eurodisco -era of 70's and and 80's. You can see him perform this "Mama Lorraine", here.

Here's the pair:

Rio Bravo - Altaelva

Katri Helena recorded "Altaelva" in 1981. It was released on her album "Kotimaa" and also as a single, which however did not have chart success. The lyrics (by Raul Reiman) deal with the "Altaelva controversy". The river Altaelva lies in the municipality of Alta in Finnmark county, Norway. During the 1970s and 80s, the river was the site of a controversy regarding the construction of a hydroelectric power plant. The original song got also it's title from a river. "Rio Bravo" was a big hit for a Lithuanian-German schlager singer Lena Valaitis. It was a follow-up single for her 1981 Eurovision success "Johnny Blue" (also covered by Katri Helena), both written by Ralph Siegel.

Here's the pair:

Soul Dance - Hippojen jälkeen

As the New Year parties should now be over, this song "Hippojen jälkeen" (After the party) is well in place, And at the same time we start the 2011 Finnpicks Year with style. This 1964 song was recorded by a group of the Finnish finest 60's singers. Eino Grön, Vieno Kekkonen, Laila Kinnunen, Brita Koivunen and Kai Lind - all presented in the earlier Finnpicks entries - sing this song with immacukate style. The original tune was called "Soul Dance" and was performed by Tommy Leonetti (b. Nicola Tomaso Lionetti). Tommy was an American pop singer-songwriter and actor of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970, who had no big hits.. This "Soul Dance" bubbled under Billboard Hot 100 in the beginning of 1964.

Here's the pair: