dinsdag 30 augustus 2022

Africa (1956) / Afrika (1957)


"Africa" or "Afrika" is a South-African song with music by Charles Segal and (English) lyrics by Anton De Waal, published in 1956 by Carstens-De Waal Publications in Johannesburg.


In the 1960's the song became very popular in Europe in various instrumental versions. 


One year earlier, Anton De Waal, whose real name was George Charles Gunn, had co-written another South-African classic: "Zambesi", with Nico Carstens, who also made the first recording.



In 1956 Nico Carstens probably also recorded the first (instrumental) version of "Africa" on the album Sunny South Africa, released on the Columbia-label.

(o) Nico Carstens and his Orchestra (1956) (as "Africa")
Released on the album Sunny South Africa (Columbia 33JS 11006)




Listen here:




In the same year Nico Carstens and his Orchestra also recorded the first vocal version, with the Three Petersen Brothers handling the vocals. 

(c) Three Petersen Brothers (1956) (as "Africa")
with Nico Carstens and his Orchestra
Released on Columbia D.S.A. 240



Listen here:




In 1956 the South-African all female vocal group The Sunbeams, led by Miriam Makeba, also recorded a voacal version of "Africa".
The Sunbeams became more famous as the Skylarks, who recorded for the Gallo record company. 
But, as the Sunbeams, they also made a few recordings for the Gramophone Record Company.
It is not clear why the two names were used for the group's recordings with different companies but Makeba maintains that it was meant to give the appearance of a rivalry. Both GRC and Gallo shared recording studios and thus the matrixes are continuous. The arrangers however were different and according to Rob Allingham gave the GRC material a rather "slap-dash quality".

(c) The Sunbeams (1956) (as "Africa")
Zulu lyrics by Miriam Makeba
Matrix: ABC 15310
Released on Tropik, DC 645
 




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Bob Sharples was probably the first orchestra in Europe, recording an instrumental version of "Africa". Interestingly, one Sam Lorraine was added to the credits. This was a collaborative alias used by British songwriters Harold Fields and Joseph Roncoroni.

(c) Bob Sharples and his Music (1957) (as "Afrika")
Released January 1957 on Decca F 10838
 


Also on London 45-1721 (in the USA)


Listen here:  




(c) Milli Scott (1957) (as "Africa")
Released in 1957 on CiD 28.154
 




Listen here:




In 1958 the co-composer Charles Segal recorded a version for the CBS label.

(c) Charles Segal and his Rhythm (1958) (as "Afrika")
Released in 1958 on the album Dancing With Memories (CBS ALD 6157)
 


Listen here:




(c) Benny Bennet et son Orchestre (1958) (as "Afriqua")




(c) Fred Oldörp (1960) (as "Afrika")
with Die Delle Haensch Rhythmiker
German lyrics: Ralph Maria Siegel
Released end 1960 on Jupiter J-45 Nr. 125
 


Listen here:




In 1959 Elizabeth Julius, Yusuf Williams and Arthur Gillies, three coloured artists from South-Africa, came to Sweden as members of the City Golden Dixies. They liked Sweden so much, that they decided to stay.
3 years later they made there first recordings, amongst them a cover-version of "Africa"

(c) Elizabeth, Yusuf Och Arthur (1962) (as "Africa")





From 1962-64, Jos Cleber lived in South Africa, trying unsuccessfully to start a new orchestra in Johannesburg. While in South Africa, Cleber recorded a long playing record titled Charles Segal's Compositions, featuring the compositions of South African pianist and composer Charles Segal.
This album was released in South africa on Charles Segal's Spin Records label.

(o) Jos Cleber with the S.A.B.C. Orchestra (1963) (as "Africa")
S.A.B.C. = South African Broadcasting Corporation


Listen here:




Around the same time Jos Cleber also recorded a vocal version with Dutch singer Ilonka Biluska

Listen here:




Starting in 1962 "Africa" got it's first rock treatment in an instrumental guitar-version by The Gary Edwards Combo from the UK.

(c) The Gary Edwards Combo (1962) (as "Africa")
Released in May 1962 on Oriole CB 1733



Listen here:




The Gary Edwards version was picked up by Danish guitarist Jörgen Ingmann, who turned it into a punchy guitar-version with a striking intro with jungle sounds.

(c) Jörgen Ingmann (1962) (as "Africa")
Relaesed on Metronome B 1523



Listen here:





The Jörgen Ingmann version on his turn was picked up by the Dutch guitar band The Jumping Jewels. Both versions ended up in the Dutch charts in 1963.

(c) The Jumping Jewels (1963) (as "Africa")
Released on Philips 318 876 PF
 


Listen here: 




In 1970, both composers, Charles Segal and Anton De Waal, also made a new recording of "Africa" on the next album:
 
 


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donderdag 18 augustus 2022

Du Bist Meine Greta Garbo (1930) / La Piccinina (1939) / Kleine Herdersjongen (1939) / Ferryboat Serenade (1940) / Das Blonde Käthchen (1940) /Kleine Jodeljongen (1987)


In 1940 the Andrews Sisters reached the top spot of the US Charts for the second time. This time with an adaptation of the Italian song "La Piccinina", written by Eldo di Lazzaro (who also had written "Reginella Campagnola", adapted by the Andrews Sisters as "The Woodpecker Song")

But "La Piccinina" and therefore also "Ferryboat Serenade" are very similar to "Du Bist Meine Greta Garbo", from the German comedy "Ein Tango für Dich" from 1930. 


In this movie the Austrian actor Oskar Karlweis (1894-1956), in the role of the impressario called Flooch, sang this song, accompanied with the Lewis Ruth Band.
The film is about a girl who adores a famous jazz singer. She finally wants to meet him, unaware there's another artist on the stage. The artist falls in love with the girl, doesn't clear the error initially. And both get a big surprise on the REAL jazz singer.
The actor Karlweis was also the first to record the song with the Lewis Ruth Band, under the direction of the composer Robert Stolz

(o) Oskar Karlweis and Lewis Ruth Band (1930) (as "Du Bist Meine Greta Garbo") 
under the direction of the composer Robert Stolz
Recorded June 6, 1930 in Berlin
Released on Electrola EG 1940 (Germany) and His Master's Voice AM 2933 (UK)
Also released on Victor V-6098 (USA) and on Disco Gramofono AE 3756 (Spain)
 





Listen here:


Or here:




(c) Tanzorchester Ilja Livschakoff (1930) (as "Du Bist Meine Greta Garbo") 
Vocals: Leo Monosson
Recorded June-July 1930 in Berlin
Matrix 2512 BH 6
Released on Polydor 23382 / Grammophon 23382
 

Listen here:




(c) Dajos Bela Dance Orchestra (1931) (as "Du Bist Meine Greta Garbo")
Vocals: Leo Monosson
Recorded March 13, 1931
Matrix Qu 282
Released on Parlophone R966
 

Listen here:




(c) J.J. (Jozef) Sterkens (1931) (as "Gij Zijt Mijne Greta Garbo")
with Otto Dobrindt Orchester
Recorded in Berlin 1931

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In 1939 Italian composers Eldo Di Lazzaro and Mario Panzeri "wrote" "La Piccinina", a song, which borrows heavily from "Du bist meine Greta Garbo".

(c) Carlo Buti (1939) (as "La Piccinina")
with the Ferruzzi Orchestra
Recorded May 12, 1939 in Milan
Matrix C.B. 9319
Released on Columbia DQ 2971
 


Listen here:




(c) Nino Amorevoli con Duo Gianni-Ramiro (1939) (as "La Piccinina")
con Orchestra dir. dal M.o Ceragioli
Recorded May 1939 in Milan
Matrix MO 8133
Released on Odeon GO 19638
 

Listen here:




(c) Otello Boccaccini (1939) (as "La Piccinina")
Trio di fisarmoniche e ritmi diretti dal M°.Pippo Barzizza
Recorded June 1939
Matrix 50193
Released on CETRA IT 599
 



Or here:




(c) Nino D'Aurelio (1939) (as "La Piccinina")
Dir. Orch. Maestro Semprini
Released on Fonit 8172




In 1939 Anton Beuving wrote Dutch lyrics for this song, subsequently recorded by Louis Noiret.

(c) Louis Noiret (1940) (as "La Piccinina (Kleine Herdersjongen)")
Dutch lyrics Anton Beuving
Louis Noiret with the Belgian Orchestra leader Jean Steurs.
Recorded March 1940 
Matrix 24918
Released on Telefunken M 1969
Dutch lyrics Anton Beuving
with the Esmeralda Orchestra
Conducted by Eddy Wallis
From a September 3, 1940 VARA radio-broadcast

Listen here:


Listen to a sample on the next link:




(c) Johnny & Jones (1940) (as "La Piccinina")
From a November 17, 1940 VARA radio-broadcast


Listen to a sample on the next link:




In 1940 Klaus Richter wrote German lyrics for "La Piccinina"
With its new title "Das Blonde Kätchen", it became a big succes in Germany, mainly through various versions of the Schuricke-Terzett.

(c) Heinz Munsonius, Harmonika, und seine Solisten (1940) (as "Das Blonde Käthchen")
Vocals: Schuricke-Terzett
Recorded June 1940 
Matrix K-C 28298
Released on Imperial 17315
 


Listen here:




(c) Großes Tanzorchester Adalbert Lutter (1940) (as "Das Blonde Kätchen") 
Vocals: Schuricke-Terzett
Recorded June 19, 1940 in Berlin
Matrix 25052
Released on Telefunken A 10145
 

Listen here:




(c) Harmonika-Orchester "Alle Neune" (1940) (as "Das Blonde Käthchen") 
Vocals: Schuricke-Terzett
Recorded June 1940 in Berlin
Matrix Be 12699
Released on Parlophone B.70373 and on Odeon O-31632
 




Or here:




In 1940 the Schuricke-Terzett also recorded the song under their own name

(c) Schuricke-Terzett (1940) (as "Das Blonde Kätchen")  
Recorded September 24, 1940 in Berlin
Matrix 9067 1/2 GR9
Released on Grammophon 11525


Listen here:




(c) Hans Busch Tanz-Orchester (1940) (as "Das Blonde Kätchen")  
instrumental version
Recorded September 1940 in Berlin
Matrix 9098 1/2 GR9
Released on Grammophon 47461
 


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In 1940 Harold Adamson wrote English lyrics for "La Piccinina" and in the span of a month 4 artists from the Decca-label roster recorded their instrumental or vocal version of "Ferryboat Serenade", the Andrews Sisters version eventually reaching the # 1 spot on the US Charts at the end of the year.



(c) Plehal Brothers (1940) (as "Ferryboat Serenade")
Instrumental version
Recorded June 5, 1940 in Chicago
Released on Decca 3265
 




(c) Lou Holden and his Disciples of Rhythm (1940) (as "Ferryboat Serenade")
Recorded June 7, 1940 in Chicago
Released on Decca 3260
 
Matrix 67921
Released on Decca 3305
 



(c) Andrews Sisters  (1940) (as "Ferryboat Serenade")
No 1 HIT USA.
Recorded July 15, 1940 in Los Angeles, CA
Released on Decca 3328
 
Vocals: Ginny Simms, Harry Babbitt, Jack Martin and Martin Williams
Recorded July 23, 1940 in Los Angeles, CA
Released on Columbia 35627






(c) Gray Gordon and His Tic-Toc Rhythm (1940) (as "Ferry-Boat Serenade")
Vocals: Meredith Blake and chorus
Recorded on July 23, 1940 in New York
Released on Bluebird 10819
 



Or here: 




(c) Frankie Masters and his Orchestra (1940) (as "Ferry-Boat Serenade")

Or here:




(c) Leo Reisman and his Orchestra (1940) (as "Ferry Boat Serenade") 

Subsequently the song was also popular in the UK at the end of 1940.
On the same date, 2 famous bands recorded a version of "Ferry Boat Serenade"

(c) New Mayfair Dance Orchestra (1940) (as "The Ferry Boat Serenade") 
Vocals: Sam Browne and Chorus
Recorded November 7, 1940 in London
Released on His Master's Voice BD-5636



Listen here:




(c) Geraldo and the Savoy Hotel Orchestra (1940) (as "The Ferry Boat Serenade")   
Recorded November 7, 1940 in London
Released on Parlophone F-1789





(c) Al Bowlly and Jimmy Mesene (1941) (as "The Ferry Boat Serenade") 
Recorded December 6, 1940 in London
Released on His Master's Voice BD-892






(c) Jubelgutta Og Einar Rose (1941) (as "Det Må'ke Gammer'n Vite")
Norwegian lyrics by Tola
Recorded end 1940 in Oslo, Norway
Matrix: Nw. 3024-2
Released on Odeon ND-3843
 




In 1941 Jean Feline, Jean Rodor and Louis Poterat wrote French lyrics for "La Piccinina".

(c) Tino Rossi (1941) (as "Toi, Que Mon Cœur Appelle")
with Jacques Météhen and his Orchestra
French lyrics by Jean Rodor, Louis Poterat and Jean Féline.
From the film Le soleil a toujours raison.
Recorded June 1941 
Released on Columbia DF 2825
 



Listen here:




(c) Fred Adison et son Orchestre (1941) (as "Toi, Que Mon Cœur Appelle")
Arranged by Marius Coste
Recorded June 26, 1941 in Paris
Matrix. CPT 5276
Released on Disque Pathé PA 2003



Listen here:




(c) Irène de Trébert (1941) (as "Toi, Que Mon Cœur Appelle") 
Orchestre dir. Raymond Legrand
Recorded September 10, 1941
Matrix CL 7488  
Released on Columbia DF 2844 



Listen here:



(c) Toni Bert (1941) (as "Toi, Que Mon Cœur Appelle")  
Accompagnement d'Orchestre direction Félix Chardon
Recorded September 1941 in Paris
Matrix: Ki 9268
Released on Odéon 281.499



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In 1975 Zangeres Zonder Naam covered the Dutch version (introduced in1939 by Louis Noiret)

(c) Zangeres Zonder Naam (1975) (as "Kleine Herdersjongen")
 



Listen here:




Dutch artist Manke Nelis covered the Dutch version of "Kleine Herdersjongen", and with the slightly different title "Kleine Jodeljongen" and had a big hit with it in 1987 in the Netherlands.

(c) Manke Nelis (1985) (as "Kleine Jodeljongen")
Dutch lyrics Leo de Vos
 


Listen here: 




(c) Eddy Wally (1994) (as "Kleine Jodeljongen")


Listen here:




Covered by Koos Alberts in 1995 in a medley on the album Samen Terug Naar Mokum.

(c) Koos Alberts (1995) (in medley "Als Op 't Leidscheplein De Lichtjes Weer Eens Branden Gaan")


Listen here ("Kleine Jodeljongen" is the last song of the medley)




Cor Bakker sang the song in a medley, which is contained on the Paul de Leeuw album Encore.

(c) Cor Bakker (1996) (in "Cor Bakker medley")


Listen here ("Kleine Jodeljongen" is the first song of the medley)





In 1999 Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester covered a very authentic version of "Du Bist Meine Greta Garbo".


Listen here:





More versions:




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