Love Is Me, Love Is You - Kenen syy, kenen syy

Kristiina Hautala (see previous entry) recorded "Kenen syy, kenen syy" (Who's to blame, who's to blame) on the last day of the year 1966. It was released as a single and was quite a big hit for her in 1967. As you can hear from this performance, Kristiina was the real Finnish "ye-ye girl". Although this moniker was of course not used those days. The original song was written by famous UK songsmith and orchestra leader Tony Hatch. There were two versions recorded in 1966 and I'm not sure which one is the original. Probably it is the one done by Tony's wife Jackie Trent, but my guess is that Finnish cover was based on the version by Connie Francis. Connie (real name Concetta Rosemarie Franconero) has been called "The most popular female entertainer of the rock and roll era". I don't know about that, but he was an exceptionally international star (she recorded and performed worldwide in 15 different languages) and some kind of role model for teenage girl in her music and movies.

Updated on 27.10.2009: Added Jackie Trent's version (or original?).

Here's the pair:

Arms of Mary - Naisen verran

Seppo Närhi recorded "Naisen verran" (Womanful) in 1977 on his album "Enkelit on harvinasta riistaa" (Angels are a rare game). We have heard one finnpick from that album already (see this entry). The lyrics were written by another Finnish singer Irina Milan (see this entry). The original song was written by Scotsman Iain Surherland and performed by the group Sutherland Brothers and Quiver. Sutherland Brothers (Gavin and Iain) originally performed as a folk-rock duo in the early 1970s, In an effort to diversify and expand their folk based sound, they joined forces with a Scottish rock band known as Quiver. This song "Arms of Mary" was their most succesful offering and came from their 1975 album "Reach for the Sky". The song reached number 10 in UK charts. I'd like to add that this song is one of my personal all-time favourites.

Here's the pair:

When The Rain Begins To Fall - Nousen kanssas aurinkoon

We end our Finnpicks Disco Week series with the artist that we started with. Eini joined forces with another popular singer Markku Aro (see previous entry) and recoded "Nousen kanssas aurinkoon" (I'll raise into the sun with you) in 1985. It was on her album "Eini" and was not released as a single. The original song "When The Rain Begins To Fall" was recorded by the singers Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora, and released as a single at the end of 1984. Jermaine was of course once in Jackson 5 and he had numerous solo hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Pia Zadora (b. Pia Alfreda Schipani) is an American actress and singer. After work as a child actress on Broadway, Zadora starred with Stacy Keach and Orson Welles in the 1982 film Butterfly, with a plot around father-daughter incest. She won that year's Golden Globe Award as "Best New Star of the Year". She gained success in Europe as a singer, and had several hit singles. This song was one of those and was included in the sci-fi comedy movie Voyage Of the Rock Aliens in which Zadora played a lead role.

Here's the pair:

10 O'Clock Postman - Kesällä kaikki on toisin

The sixth entry in our Finnpicks Disco Week series is one from the singer that was more of a rocker. Kirka (see previous entry) released "Kesällä kaikki on toisin" (In the summer everything is different) on B-side of a single in 1980. It fared a little better than the A-side but wasn't a big hit. The original this time originated fron Sweden. The song "10 O'Clock Postman" was performed by Secret Service in 1979. The Swedish group was led by Ola Håkansson (the 'Ola' from Ola and the Janglers) and Tim Norell. The song was groups second smash hit, the first being "Oh Susie". For some reason Norell, who penned along with Håkansson most songs of the band, however, did not appear with them on stage or on the album covers.

Here's the pair:

Update

As I promised, I have now added the FIRST Finnish version of "Tell It To My Face" (see this entry) done by Anita Hirvonen in 1967, with different lyrics and with the title "Tulet kuitenkin uudelleen" (You eventually will return). And it's a good one ...

Dschinghis Khan - Tsingis Khan

It's Frederik Friday and Frederik's contribution to Finnpicks Disco Week is his rendition of "Tsingis Khan". The album of the same name was released in 1979. It was Frederik's biggest success to date and earned him his first Gold Record. I don't know it this is true, but it has been told that when the German composer of the song Ralph Siegel heard this version, he called to Finland saying that this was better than original. The original being of course "Dschinghis Khan" performed by the group Dschinghis Khan. The group was initially formed for just one purpose; to perform this song in Eurovison Song Contest 1979 (as it did, and placed 4th) but it became a much bigger and long-lasting phenomenon and has earned some cult status among disco people. The real Genghis Khan - the name meaning ‘Universal Ruler’ - lived about 1155–1227. He was originally called Temujin and was the son of a Mongol chieftain. He became ruler of all Mongols in 1206 and subsequently conquered other areas in Asia. When he died, his empire ranged from the Yellow Sea to the Black Sea. Genghis Khan controlled probably a larger area than any other individual in history. The ruins of his capital Karakorum are southwest of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.

Here's the pair:

Whos That Lady With My Man - Ken tuo nainen oikein on

The fourth Finnpicks Disco offer this week is "Ken tuo nainen oikein on" (Who that woman really is) recorded by Anita Hirvonen in 1977 on her album "Villitsee mun". This is already the third finnpicked track from that album, the two previous ones being the title track (here) and "Milloin saavut" (here). The original song was entitled "Whos That Lady With My Man" and it was Roberto Danova -penned disco hit for at least two up and coming disco songstresses - British Kelly Marie in 1976 and Dutch Patricia Paay in 1977. We of course present here the first version by Kelly Marie (b. Jacqueline McKinnon). Kelly Marie was an early bird, appearing in singing competitions at age twelve and made her television debut at age fifteen. At age 16 as Keli Brown she appeared on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks winning four times. This exposure led to her debut single "Who's That Lady With My Man" in 1976. It reached #1 in France and earned a gold disc for sales in excess of 500000 copies. The song that Kelly Marie is best known for is of course the classic disco anthem "Feels Like I'm in Love" released in 1977.

Here's the pair:

Todo passara Maria - Mulle suostuthan Maria

The third Finnpicks Disco Week song is "Mulle suostuthan Maria" (Would you be mine, Maria). Hard to believe it's performed by famous Finnish balladeer Juhani Markola, who was nothing BUT a disco artist. But this is an excellent version of the song. For my taste, I would even consider it to be better than the original. The song appeared on the other side of the "Ääni puhelimessa" -single (see previous entry) in 1977. The original was called "Todo passara Maria" (Maria passes all). It was a modest disco hit for the Mozambique-born Afric Simone, who has been previusly finnpicked (see and listen here). Like Afric's smash hits "Hafanana" and "Ramaya", the song was collaboration of Stanislav Regal and Afric Simone.

Here's the pair: