Today's playlist. This is the 43rd installment, and this time it's "Rain & It's "Tears (Hit Ballads Of The Sixties)".
I bought it at Flash Disc Ranch, my favorite record store in Shimokitazawa.
This is a record store I've been going to ever since I first moved to Setagaya. It's popular because of its amazing point card system, which is valid as long as the store is open. Once you collect 50 stamps, you can buy any number of records under 15,000 yen for half price.
This album, released in 1989 by the British label "Pickwick Music," is a compilation of 12 tracks.
| Song order | artist | Song title | composer |
| 1 | Aphrodite's Child | Rain and Tears | Pachelbel (Arranged By Berman, Papathanassiou) |
| 2 | The Four Pennies | Juliet | F. Fryer, L. Morton, M. Wilsh |
| 3 | Billy Fury | I Will | Glasser |
| 4 | Marianne Faithfull | Yesterday | Lennon-McCartney |
| 5 | The Casuals | Jesamine | Manston, Gellar |
| 6 | The Righteous Brothers | You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling | Mann, Weil, Spector |
| 7 | Scott Walker | Joanna | Hatch-Trent |
| 8 | Brian Poole And The Tremeloes | Someone, Someone | Greines, Petty |
| 9 | Dave Berry | Mama | Charron |
| 10 | Georgie Fame | Sitting In The Park | Stewart |
| 11 | Dusty Springfield | I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself | B. Bacharach, H. David |
| 12 | Mr. Acker Bilk | Stranger On The Shore | Bilk, Mellin |
Following the military coup, "Aphrodite's Child" spread from Greece to the world.
Aphrodite's Child was formed in Greece in 1967 by Vangelis Papadanaciu (keyboards), Demis Roussos (vocals and bass), Lucas Sideras (drums), and Anagylos Krulis (guitar). However, following the 1968 military coup, they moved to England in search of an international opportunity. Due to work visa issues, they ended up staying in France, where they officially began their career as Aphrodite's Child.
The massive hit "Rain and Tears," followed by the band's breakup due to musical differences.
Their single "Rain and Tears" became a huge hit throughout Europe. Following that, they released albums such as "End of the World" and "It's Five O'Clock," and performed at the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy, enjoying a smooth and successful career.
However, due to musical differences, the band disbanded. Later, they reformed to fulfill their contract with the record company and released a double LP concept album, "666 - The Mysterious World of Aphrodite's Child," in 1971, but this was their last release before they officially disbanded.
The members went their separate ways after the group disbanded.
After the band broke up, Vangelis achieved worldwide success with his synthesizer-driven music, Demis Roussos pursued a solo career primarily in Europe, Lucas Sideras became a producer, and Anaguilos Crulis worked as a studio musician.
Like a goddess from mythology, this music continues to captivate people.
The music left behind by Aphrodite's Child remains a landmark of progressive rock, continuing to captivate many music fans to this day. Their music, like Greek mythology, will undoubtedly be passed down through generations.
Billy Fury: A solitary star who continued to sing rock and roll until he burned out.
With a voice and looks reminiscent of Elvis Presley, and a wild stage presence, Billy Fury was a rock and roll star who dominated the British music scene from the late 1950s to the early 1960s.
A rocker with a fleeting soul, born in Liverpool
Born in Liverpool, Fury was fascinated by music from a young age and formed a band in his teens. However, his frail health cast a dark shadow over his life. Told by doctors that he wouldn't live past 30, he poured his passion into music as if burning himself out.
From debut to stardom, and then days of struggle.
He debuted in 1959 with "Maybe Tomorrow." He continued to release hit after hit, quickly rising to stardom. However, the intense stage performances took a toll on his heart, forcing him to switch to singing ballads.
Nevertheless, he released numerous hit songs such as "Halfway to Paradise" and "Jealousy," and also appeared in films. However, in the late 1960s, he struggled with changes in the music scene and illness, which forced him into a semi-retired state.
A comeback fueled by unwavering fighting spirit, followed by a sudden farewell.
In the 1970s, he underwent heart surgery and resumed his activities, including appearing in the film "That'll Be the Day." In the 1980s, he made a comeback and returned to the stage, but in 1983, he passed away shortly after finishing a recording session. He was only 42 years old.
That music will last forever
Billy Fury, despite his short life, captivated many with his music. His soulful voice continues to be loved by many fans to this day.
Marianne Faithfull: The goddess of rock who repeatedly faced scandals and made comebacks.
Marianne Faithfull, a true Londoner with aristocratic blood, was known for her "angelic voice." She debuted at the age of 17 and quickly established herself as a pop idol.
Her passionate love affair with Mick Jagger, and her downfall
However, her life was far from smooth. Her passionate romance with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones plunged her into deep darkness, resulting in miscarriages, mental instability, and drug addiction. This affected her singing voice as well, transforming her once clear voice into a husky, deep tone.
Revival and New Challenges
After a period of decline, she made a spectacular comeback in 1979 with the album "Broken English." Since then, she has continued her energetic musical activities and in recent years has also been active as an actress. In 2020, she contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized, but made a remarkable recovery. Her indomitable spirit has inspired many people.
An icon with two faces: scandal and talent.
Her life is like a drama, a complex interplay of scandal and talent, light and shadow. Her appearances in Godard's films and her image riding a motorcycle completely naked shocked many filmmakers and influenced later works. In particular, her appearance in the film "The Girl on a Motorcycle," in which she co-starred with Alain Delon, is said to have been the model for Fujiko Mine in the anime "Lupin III."
On the other hand, she was also plagued by numerous scandals, including drug problems and run-ins with the police. However, her way of life, facing every difficulty head-on and continuing to express herself, is the epitome of "rock and roll." Marianne Faithfull is a true icon who will be loved across generations.
WAITER-U offers not only camping gear, but also a curated selection of music, books, and movies.
I've also created a playlist on Spotify, so please feel free to listen to it in the car on your way to a camping trip.
