Space Oddity - Kapteeni Tom

Arto Sotavalta was perhaps a bit underrated artist in the 70's. In addition to his own material, he did several decent cover versions that for some reason sank without a trace. One of those was "Kapteeni Tom". (Captain Tom). It was released in 1973 on the flipside of "Siirryn leikkimaailmaan", finnpicked here.  The Finnish lyrics were made by Arto himself, following closely the theme of the lyrics of the original song. Which was "Space Oddity", the first big hit for David Bowie, released in 1969. This tale of unfortunate astronaut reached number 5 in UK chart and has became a classic. It was on the album "David Bowie" (his second), but the rest of the album was not so commercial, and it didn't sell vast quantities at the time, but later re-releases did. BTW, keyboardist on this album was one Rick Wakeman.

Just 13 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

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. 
Just 26 Finnpicks to go.
Here's the pair:

Here Comes the Dawn - Jään ikkunaan

Katri Helena recorded "Jään ikkunaan" (I'll stay by the window") in 1973. It was released on the B-side of her big success "Anteeksi suo" (presented in Finnpicks earlier, see here). It was released also on her album "Kun kohdattiin". The Finnish lyrics were made by Pertsa Reponen. The original song was called "Here Comes the Dawn" and it was co-written and performed by Bob Azzam (b. Wadih George Azzam). This Lebanese-at-birth singer and musician made it big with "Mustapha" (finnpicked here), but this is his 70's material, a track on his album "Garden Of Love".

49 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Rock and Roll Is Back - Rock and roll taas soi

OK, we present now a second Vanity Fare -cover in a row. The group Karma recorded "Rock and roll taas soi" (Rock and roll plays again) in 1973 and had a minor hit with it during the 70's rock and roll revival. Many of the youth of those days still remembers the chorus line of the song. The Finnish lyrics were crafted again by Vexi Salmi (it seems we have had quite a few of those lately, but just by coincidence). The original song was called "Rock and Roll Is Back" and it was the last hit for Vanity Fare, and not a big one at that. You can see the them perform the song here.

51 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Delta Queen - Tule kotiin

Jetit (see earlier entry) recorded "Tule kotiin" (Come home) in 1973. It was released on the flipside of their cover of Seals & Crofts "Funny Little Man". This "Tule kotiin" clearly had some hit potential, but it never realized. The Finnsih lyrics were done by Vexi Salmi. The original song was called "Delta Queen". It was first recorded by a South African group called Proudfoot. I don't know if it ever was a hit for them outside South Africa, but the song, sounding not unlike the 1971 smash hit 'Mamy Blue', was at least moderate hit in Germany (see it here), and in France (see it here) in local cover versions. Well, the song could have another "Mamy Blue", but wasn't ... 

58 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Good Grief Christina - On siitä aikaa

One of the completely forgotten Koivistolaiset (see earlier entry) songs is this "On siitä aikaa" (It's been a long time). They recorded it in 1973 but it went nowhere chartwise. The Finnish lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi. The original song was called "Good Grief Christina" and it was a Top 20 Uk hit in 1973 for Chicory Tip.  The song was written - as was their number one hit "Son Of My Father" - by Giorgio Moroder.
77 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Get Down - O'le

We haven't finnpicked Fredi for a long time. So, lets ... During the first decade of his career Fredi did a lot of covers, but later almost exclusively his own material. In 1973 he recorded "O'le", which was an odd choice for a title ... The finnish lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi and the song was released on Fredi's 1973 album "Rakkauden sinfonia". The original song was called "Get Down" and it was written and performed by Gilbert O'Sullivan, whose songs seemed to suit well for Fredi,as he covered several of those. This "Get Down" was a number one UK hit for Gilbert in 1973. You can see him perform the song live, here.

89 Finnpicks to go.

Here's the pair:

Carolina's Coming Home - Parin vuoden tauot

Kisu released an album called "Kun paljon antaa" in 1973, and one of the tracks was this "Parin vuoden tauot" (The breaks of a couple of years). The hit single from the album was "Uneen aika vaipuu", finnpicked earlier (see here). The somewhat odd Finnish lyrics for today's finnpick were written by Chrisse Johansson. The original song was co-written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway and it was minor hit for the British pop group Vanity Fare three years earlier. They are of course best remembered of the smash hit "Early In The Morning" released in 1970.

Here's the pair:

Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose? - En siitä piittaa

Markku Karjalainen recorded "En siitä piittaa" (I don't care about it) in 1973. It was released as a single but it flopped. Kari Tuomisaari wrote the Finnish lyrics.  The original song "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose?" was performed by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando (b. Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis), and released as the lead single from the 1973 album "Dawn's New Ragtime Follies". The song became the group's fourth top ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at 3. It's written in the style of the early 1900s.'

Here's the pair:

Ventura Highway - Ei siinä mitään

We now continue our Finnpicks Grand Tour of USA, that was interrupted a couple weeks ago. This is the last leg, cruising the western part of the North American continent. The pop band Kalmar Union (see earlier entry) recorded "Ei siinä mitään" (It doesn't matter) for their sole album in 1973. It was not released as a single. The original song was called "Ventura Highway" and it was one of the hits for the band America. The writer and vocalist is band member Dewey Bunnell, who has said that the song has the most lasting power of all the songs he has written. The song went to number 8 on the Billboard Top 40 Pop Charts in 1972. Actually there is no "Ventura Highway", but it's the first part - from Los Angeles to the city of Ventura - of the U.S. Route 101 (US 101), which is one of the last remaining and longest U.S. Routes still active in California state, and the longest highway of any kind in California.

Here's the pair:

Yellow Boomerang - Bumerangi

Ami Aspelund recorded "Bumerangi" in 1973 and it was released on the B-side of her massive first hit single "Apinamies" (see earlier entry) The song was also included on Ami's album "Mentävä on".  The original song was called "Yellow Boomerang " and it was one the numerous hits for Scottish pop group The Middle of The Road. In 1973 it climbed up the charts all over the world. You can see them perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Hi, Hi, Hi - Ai, jai, jai

It's a long time since we last presented Johnny. Well, here's Johnny! ... He recorded "Ai, jai, jai" in 1973 for his album "Jonglööri" It was released also as a single, on the flipside of his version of "Coconuts From Congoville" (finnpicked earlier, see here).  The Finnish lyrics were crafted by Vexi Salmi. The original song was called "Hi, Hi, Hi" and it was a smash hit in 1972 for Paul McCartney & The Wings. It was banned by the BBC because of "unsuitable lyrics." The song still managed to be a hit, reaching number 5 in the UK and number 10 in the US. BTW, the name "Wings" is said to have come to McCartney as he was praying in the hospital while Linda was giving birth to their eldest child Stella.

Here's the pair:

Fut i fejemöget - Go-go Sylvi

Kari Kuuva had his heyday as singer in the latter part of 60's. Later he gained fame mainly as a songwriter. But in 1973 he had a minor hit with "Go-go Sylvi". It was a hilarious story of an ample lady, who liked to go-go dance. The inspiration for Kari's recording came from Sweden, where "Sofia dansar go-go" (Sophie dances go-go) was a hit for schlager singer Stefan Rüdén in 1972, However, the song was of Danish origin. It was written and first performed by singer and songwriter John Mogensen and it was called "Fut i fejemöget"(Grit and sweepings).

Here's the pair:

Signorina Concertina - Vain rakkaus sen aikaan saa

Monica Aspelund recorded "Vain rakkaus sen aikaan saa" (Only love can do it) in 1973. It was released as a single (and single only), but it gained no greater attention. Even if it should have been a hit! Monica wrote the Finnish lyrics herself. The original song "Signorina Concertina" was an euro-hit for Israeli duo Shuky & Aviva (Shuki Levy and Aviva Paz). It was their flagship song and sold more than two million copies across Europe. But the two artists experienced the most success in France. The song was written by hitmakers and our old friends Peter Yellowstone(under pseudonym Peter Papini) and Roberto Danova. You can see Shuky and Aviva perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Randy - Ändy

As Reijo Karvonen yesterday, the pop group Kalmar Union is a newcomer to Finnpicks. The group released this "Ändy" in 1973 as a single together with the cover of Tremeloes' "Hello Budy". The single was not a commercial success, neither the band. Two members of the band later enjoyed some success as solo artists, and have been presented frequently in Finnpicks; Leo Luoto (bass, lead vocals) and Seppo Närhi (keyboards, vocals) The original Kalmar Union (Kalmarunionen) was a series of personal unions, that united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (including Finland) under a single monarch in 1397–1523. The original "Ändy" was "Randy", and it was the last hit for British pop group Blue Mink in 1973. Blue Mink was quite popular in UK in the start of 70's scoring 6 Top 20 hits. Most of their hit songs were written by our old friends Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. Cook was also a singer in the group. The lead singer was, however, Madeline Bell, who later made also a successful solo career.

Here's the pair:

He's An Indian Cowboy In The Rodeo - Oikea Cowboy

A singer named Paula (not to be confused with Paula of vocal duo Tuula ja Paula) recorded a couple of non-successful solo singles in the 70's and contributed several covers in cheap compilation albums. And that's all I know of her, really. This "Oikea cowboy" (A real cowboy) was on one of those singles in 1973. It's lyrics were done by Chrisse Johansson. The original song was written and performed by Buffy Sainte Marie ((b. Beverly Sainte-Marie) - finnpicked before, see here and here. The song was originally called "He's An Indian Cowboy In The Rodeo" It was a big country hit single in USA in 1971. It also appears on her compilation album "Native North American Child: An Odyssey" released in 1974.

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:

Hey Mama - Vain ilmaa

We now return to our randomly recurring series "Both Sides Now". We present today the B-side to yesterday's Paula Koivuniemi 1973 Finnpick. It was called "Vain ilmaa" (Just air). The lyrics were - as on the flipside - by Vexi Salmi. The original song was performed by British singer Joe Brown (finnpicked before, here). Joe has been described as a "chirpy cockney". He had his most successful period in the beginning of the 60's with his backing band the Bruvvers. This "Hey Mama" he recorded during his on-and-off solo career in 1973.

Here's the pair:

When I'm A Kid - Jotakin jäi

Paula Koivuniemi recorded "Jotakin jäi" (Something remained) in 1973. It was released only as single, and was a modest hit, but nowadays sadly forgotten. The lyrics were provided by Vexi Salmi. The original song "When I'm A Kid" was performed by Demis Roussos (b. Artemios Ventouris Roussos) in 1972. Although it is not one of Demis's most known songs, it was a reasonable hit for him at the time in the continental Europe.

Here's the pair:

Crazy - Jestas sentään

Usually the Finnish Chinnichap covers have not been as successful as their original counterparts. Well, this one is a notable exception. Markku Aro recorded "Jestas sentään" (Goodness gracious) in 1973. The lyrics by Vexi Salmi were a bit naughty, and contributed to record's success. The song became a classic and Markku has to perform it in his every gig even today. The original song "Crazy" eventually launched big chain of UK chart hits for group Mud in 1973. Lead singer of the Mud, Les Gray was also known for his distinctive vocal impersonation of Elvis Presley. You can see the group performing "Crazy", here.

Here's the pair: