Caterina Ballerina - Heinäkuussa vuosi sitten

This is one of the lesser known songs from Markku Aro. He recorded "Heinäkuussa vuosi sitten" (In July last year) in 1977. It was an album track and unfortunately did not draw any attention. The Finnish lyrics were done by Juha Vainio and the arrangement by Veikko Samuli - so, quality stuff ...   The original song "Caterina Ballerina" was on the B-side of Joe Dolan's minor 1977 hit (number 43 in UK charts) "I Need You". It was written by Roberto Danova - well, who else.

Here's the pair:

I'll Take The Money And Run - Mä ryöstän pankin

I don't know if today anyone dared to write lyrics like in this song "Mä ryöstän pankin" (I'll rob a bank). It might not be 'politically correct' to write a song about plans to rob a bank. Even if it's done for love ... Markku Karjalainen (see earlier entry) recorded the song in 1974 for his album "M.m.m.". And the lyrics were crafted by Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen. The original song "I'll Take The Money And Run" was written by British songwriting duo John Carter and Geoff Stephens. John was once a member of the pop group Ive League and later sang lead in Stephens-penned "Winchester Cathedral" and co-lead in Flower Pot Men's "Let's Go To San Francisco". In 1970 the duo wrote the UK entry for ESC, "Knock Knock Whose There". This 'robbing song' was their collaboration for Joe Dolan, and it was released in 1974 as a follow-up to his hit "Sweet Little Rock'n Roller", but did not fare as well.

Here's the pair:

Brown Eyed Girl - Perjantai - Punatukkainen

It's time again for "a song of the day". Kisu recorded "Perjantai" (Friday) for his 1976 album "Tunteet". It is completely forgotten track, which is quite peculiar, becouse the original is such a classic song. It is "Brown Eyed Girl", the signature song of Irishman Van Morrison. It was the first solo single for him after he left the group Them. It was first released in May 1967 on the album "Blowin' Your Mind!". When released as a single, it reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It featured the Sweet Inspirations (Cissy "Whitney's mother" Houston and Lee "Dionne's sister" Warwick) singing back-up vocals. In Finland the song was later (1998) covered with different lyrics - with the title "Punatukkainen" (Red-haired) by singer and songwriter Aki Sirkesalo, who sadly passed away six years later in Thailand in the tsunami of 2004.

Here's the triplet:

You Belong To Me Baby - Hyvä mun on niin

This song was on Danny's 1977 hit album "Tahdon olla sulle hellä", whose title track was a smah come-back hit for Danny (and guest artist Armi Aavikko). "Hyvä mun on niin" (I feel so good) was also later culled as a single, and it also fared well, reaching Top 10. Also Jarmo "Jamppa" Tuominen released his version in that same year, but it didn't chart. The original song was 1976 hit for often-finnpicked Irishman Joe Dolan. The authors of "You Belong To Me Baby" were the same as on most of Joe's hit records. Roberto Danova (music) and Peter Yellowstone (Lyrics).

Updated on 15.01.2011: addded Jamppa Tuominen's version (1977).

Here's the triplet:

Ooh Baby - Hei beibi

Petri Pettersson (see earlier entry) recorded "Hei beibi" (Hey baby) in 1974, with lyrics by Pertti "Pertsa" Reponen. It was released as a single, but it din't create much action chartwise. On the B-side of the single was an interesting cover of Kinks' "You Really Got Me". The original "Hei beibi" was called "Ooh Baby" and it was a UK Top 20 hit in 1973 for Irishman Gilbert O'Sullivan (finnpicked earlier, see here). At this point, it was evident that Gilberts's mass appeal was already fading. You can see him performing this song, here.

Here's the pair:

I Want To Go To Brazil - Torren yö

Lets' hear another one from Frederik, and at the same time respond to a request long overdue. Frederik recorded "Torren yö" (The night in Torre(molinos)) in 1979 for his album "Tsingis khan". It was not released as a single but it's still fine piece of music, Frederik-style. The lyrics are this time by Raul Reiman. The original comes from an unexpected singer, Johnny Logan. The Irish man Johnny was (and is) known hor his strong ballads, but obviously he recorded other kind of material, too. This "I Want To Go To Brazil" was written by often finnpicked composer Roberto Danova. The song was included in the 1979 album "Johnny Logan" and represents Johnny's foray into disco sound.

Here's the pair:

Most Wanted Man in the USA - Merkitty mies

Markus (see earlier entry) released "Merkitty mies" (Marked man) as a single in 1980, but it failed to get any attention. His career was already fading, but this song was catchy and despite the odd lyrics (By Veli-Pekka "VeePee" Lehto) it should have been even a little hit. The original "Most Wanted Man in the USA " was a minor hit for often finnpicked Irishman Joe Dolan in 1974 reaching number 14 in Irish charts, but was not bigger international success. The song was written by Peter Yellowstone, a known producer and songwriter, who often collaborated with Joe Dolan, together with Roberto Danova.

Here's the pair:

Nothing rhymed - Ei mitään uutta

On the B-side of Danny's 1971 single "Hän on lady" (cover of "She's A Lady") was this "Ei mitään uutta" (Nothing new). The Finnish lyrics were - as with yesterdays's Finnpick - written by Pertsa Reponen. The original song "Nothing Rhymed" was the breakthrough single for the Irish-born singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan (b. Raymond Edward O'Sullivan) in 1970. Gilbert at first performed under his born name, but in 1967 changed it to 'Gilbert O'Sullivan', a play of words on Gilbert and Sullivan (refers to the British Victorian era librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, who collaborated on 14 comic operas 1871-1896, of which H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado are among the best known). Much of Gilbert's early success was predicated on his unusual image, unusual haircut, short pants and flat cap. You can see Gilbert boy perform the song, here.

Here's the pair:

Many the Memories - Parhaimmat muistot

Today is the First Anniversary of Finnpicks. Close to 300 posts has been posted. To celebrate the day I have chosen "Parhaimmat muistot" (Best of memories) to be today's Finnpick. Becouse that's what the year has done to me - brought back some of my best memories. I hope something like that has happened to you, too. Jouko and Kosti (see previous entry) recorded "Parhaimmat muistot" in 1970 and it was only a minor hit for them. But the song has some staying power. The original was done by an Irish showband called The Real McCoy. The song reached #4 in Irish charts in 1969. The band was one of Ireland's first true "pop" bands scoring two hit singles in 1968. In mid-1969, they added trumpet player, Dave Coady to the lineup to both fill out the sound and strengthen their vocal sound. Their first release with Dave on lead vocals was this "Many The Memories".

Here's the pair:

Crazy Woman - Villi nainen

The second contribution in Finnpicks Disco Week comes from a man that's not usually known for doing disco. Kari Tapio (real name Kari Jalkanen) is a Finnish singer legend. And perhaps the most popular of today's Finnish male singers. He has made a long long career in music business, starting in the 60's and recording his first single in 1972. However, his final breakthrough didn't happen until in the latter part of 70's. Kari's "Villi nainen" (Wild woman) was released in 1977 on the B-side of his mega hit "Viisitoista kesää" (the cover of Smokie's "Living Next Door to Alice"). The original was done by our old friend Joe Dolan (see previous entry). The son of a bicycle-shop owner, Joe Dolan was one of the most successful vocalists in Ireland. He's the only Irish singer to reach the top ten in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. His biggest hit was "Make Me an Island" in 1969 which topped the music charts of 14 countries. Later, in the 70's, he was collaborating and scoring hits with Italian songwriter and producer, Robert Danova, who wrote this "Crazy Woman".

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:

Fairytale - Ihmemaa

Our old friend Taiska (see previous entry) released her hit single "Ihmemaa" (Wonderland) in 1977. It has some kind of wonderful naiviety that still charms people. The original song was called "Fairytale" and it was sung by Irish singer Dana in 1976. Dana is famous for representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970 and winning with "All Kinds of Everything". She has been popular singer throughout these years, but mainly in her home country. BTW, the song is composed by Paul Greedus, who also wrote Dracula's Tango (see previous entry).

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: