To All The Girls I've Loved Before - Te rakkaat, luotain lähteneet

This finnpick is to honor Topi Sorsakoski, who sadly passed away last Saturday. Topi and Reijo Taipale recorded an album called "Kulkukoirat" in 1992. This "Te rakkaat, luotain lähteneet" (You loved ones, who have left me) was the final track of the album and it was also released on the B-side of the "Kulkukoirat" single. The song "To All The Girls I've Loved Before" was a 1984 Top 10 hit for duo Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, and it was a breakthrough for Iglesias in the English language market. Youn can see them perform the song live, here.  However, we present here the original version by our old friend Albert Hammond. 

Here's the pair:

Peacemaker - Rauhanhieroja

Seppo Närhi released the album "Närhi" in 1975. One of the tracks was this "Rauhanhieroja" (Peacemaker). Probably record company doubted its potential as a single and it remained only an album track. The original "Peacemaker" was the work of British singer-songwriter Albert Hammond.  The song was on the 1973 album "Free Electric Band", whose title track was finnpicked here.  You can see Albert perform the song live in television studio, here.

Here's the pair:

It Never Rains In Southern California - Antaa tulla lunta tupaan

"Antaa tulla lunta tupaan" (Let the snow inside the house, for all I care) was the title (lyrics by Hector) of the song that Cay & The Scaffolds released in 1972. The Scaffolds was one of the pioneering Finnish guitar groups, founded in 1962.  For three years it was quite popular, scoring the first Finnish vocal beat group hit with self-penned "Girls" in 1963. The vocalist was at that point Cay Karlsson, and the group's name was changed to Cay & The Scaffolds. The band broke up in 1965, but was briefly re-united in 1972, when they recorded today's finnpick, with the cover of Don McLean's "Vincent" on the flipside. Hector later re-wrote the lyrics for Kirka, who recorded this song in 1983 for his album "Täytyy uskaltaa" with the title "Viikon verran sankareina" (Heroes for a week). The original song "It Never Rains In Southern California" was a big hit for Albert Hammond in 1972. It was written by Hammond and his songwriting partner Mike Hazlewood. You can see Albert perform the song, here.  BTW - you can monitor the weather in Southern California here.

Here's the triplet:

Free Electric Band - Rokkibändi

Alwari Tuohitorvi was one of the most popular Finnish pop rock (or pop'n roll, as they themselves liked to call it) bands in the 70's. The group had started in the 60's as progressive combo, but they changed their style after their line-up changed radically. The band usually performed and recorded their own material, but did few covers. "Rokkibändi" (Rock band) was on the b-side of their 1974 self-penned hit "Kromikaunotar". The original song was performed by often finnpicked songwriter and singer Albert Hammond, who also wrote the tune together with Mike Hazlewood. The song was a big hit for Albert and he also released an album with same name. You can see him perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Rivers Are For Boats - Joku päivä onnistaa

This song is one those rare forgotten gems. Päivi Paunu (See earlier entry) recorded "Joku päivä onnistaa" (Someday I'll be lucky) in 1976 for her album "Ja rakkaus jää". It was aslo released as a single, but failed to get the attention it deserved. The melody line is haunting and Päivi's delivery impeccable as always. The optimistic lyrics were done by Chrisse Johansson. The original song "Rivers Are For Boats" was written by two famous songwriters Hal David (words) and Albert Hammond (music). It was performed by Albert Hammond himself and it was released in 1976 on his album "99 Miles from L.A.". The original song has the same theme than the Finnish version: some day we'll get lucky and our dreams and hopes come true ("Rivers are for boats to take us sailing. One day we will").

Here's the pair:

Follow The Bouncing Ball - Sillä lailla pallo pomppii

This was a tough song to get by - I mean the original version of course. Our old friends Jouko & Kosti recorded "Sillä lailla pallo pomppii" (That's the way the ball bounces) in 1971. It was the flip side of "Sisäinen kauneus" (see entry here), and was a modest hit for the boys. The original was recorded by another duo - Steve & Albert and was titled "Follow The Bouncing Ball". The song wasn't a hit and in fact I hadn't heard it until a couple of days ago. which is a shame, becouse the song is an irresistibly catchy pop piece. No wonder it caught the ear of some Finnish recording business people. The "Steve" was Steve Rowland and the "Albert" was Albert Hammond. Steve was an US actor and musician that found his way via Spain into UK in the 60's and ended up producing thirteen Top Ten hits for Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. He also discovered Peter Frampton and The Herd, and with "Way Of Life" had UK Singles Chart hit with his own group, The Family Dogg, in which Albert was also a member. Steve and Albert had already been singing together in Spain and before Family Dogg they even tried as a duo. And that's when "Follow The Bouncing Ball" was recorded. In later years Albert Hammond made a very succesful career as a solo singer and songwriter. I guess we will meet him in the future Finnpicks ...

Here's the pair:

You and the looking glass - Sisäinen kauneus

Jouko & Kosti (see previous entry) recorded "Sisäinen kauneus" (Inner beauty) in 1971. It was b-side of a single and didn't get much attention at the time. But there's something in the song that calls for repeated listening. It grows on you - perhaps there's some "inner beauty" in it, too. The tune is composed by famous songwriters Alber Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, and performed originally by Irishman Joe Dolan (see earlier entry), who has recorded several songs written by Hammond -Hazlewood team. It was released as a single but was not one of Joe's biggest hits. However, the song is very well worth to listen to, and perhaps to listen to again and again ...

Here's the pair:

Make Me Act The Fool For You - Väliäkös sillä sitten on

Kisu (see previous entry) recorded "Väliäkös sillä sitten on" (Does it really matter then) in 1970 as his first solo single after quitting job as a drummer in Topmost and Kirka's backing group. It was a hit and helped to launch his short but successful career as a pop singer. The original was composed by Albert Hammond and performed by Joe Dolan (b. Joseph Francis Robert Dolan) and was titled "Make Me Act The Fool For You". It wasn't a big hit like other Hammond (and Hazelwood) -penned songs "You're Such A Good Looking Woman" and "Make Me An Island", but still - catchy quality stuff. Joe Dolan was born in Ireland, and cut his first single already in 1964, which made it to number 4 in Irish charts. The international breakthrough came in 1969 with "Make Me An Island" topping the charts all over the world.

Here's the pair: