Posted April 10 2002

Album reviews: -ALL TIME INTERNATIONAL HITS - (UK MGM C 1012/CS 6083) -(USA MGM E/SE 4298) -RECORD MAIL (Richard Attenborough) (UK, early 1966) Popular songstress Connie Francis airs her tonsils upon several well-known international hits of the past few years. Countries she visits in her song trip around the world are France, England, Spain, Israel, America, and Hawaii among others.  With superb arrangmenets from Henri Rene, Joe Mazzu, and Johnny Gregory, Connie takes the wheel as she guides us around the world in song.  The best numbers?   To my mind they are Spain's "Cuando Caliente El  Sol", France's "Et Maintenant"  and England's The Beatles' "And I Love Him".  So get on the magic carpet and let's take a musical ride with lovely Miss Francis. -BILLBOARD MUSIC WEEK - (Review Panel) -(USA 1965) "All Time International Hits" is by far one of the most exciting and salable packages in the career of the multi-talented Miss Francis.  She performs in English as well as in Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German and Hebrew.  She sparkles on "Milord", "Mack the Knife" and "The Girl From Ipanema".  Well produced by Danny Davis.  Destined for the top of the album-charts. -The Daily Hampshire Gazette - Thursday, Feb 24, 1966 - (USA) PRESENTS TROPHY Miss Barbara Arrighi of  62 Williston Avenue, Easthampton, who is employed at the White Castle Restaurant in Northampton, recently presented a trophy to Miss Connie Francis, recording and entertainment star, on behalf of  20 Connie Francis Fan club presidents at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, N.J., where the star was appearing.  Miss Arrighi, a long time Connie Francis fan, is head of the local Connie Francis Fan Club. Miss Arrighi said that the award, entitled "Our Queen of Song", should have also read "Queen of  Hearts", for "it is true that our 'Italian Sweetheart' has captured the hearts of every music lover the world over."  She quoted Miss Francis as saying, "I will treasure this award as long as I live". Miss Arrighi said she has known Miss Francis for five years, and in those years has come to know her as a warm, kind, considerate woman who would do anything for a friend.  She says that success has not changed Miss Francis.  She knew her when she was fighing her way to the top.  Now, after 50 million singles and eight gold records, she is still as wonderful and down to earth as she was then. A couple of days after the presentation miss Arrighi was invented to the home of  Miss Francis in Essex Fells, N.J. by her parents, and although she had been there before, her parents greeted Barbara with the charm and friendliness that is theirs. To know Connie's parents is to understand why Connie is the "great all American girl" she is. The ultimate thrill for Miss Arrighi was to walk into Miss Francis' trophy room and find the award in the centre of a table. (During the sixties Barbara Arrighi was a pen friend of mine; my name is on this trophy too - Jan) (Does anybody know where Barbara is nowadays?) -CONNIE IN SAN REMO - By Jan de Gee (Connie Francis Journal, Dutch CFFC, April 1966)  In January of 1965, after her hit appearance of  four weeks at the fabulous "Sahara Hotel" in Las Vegas, Connie and her parents flew to Italy, where the dark-haired charmer was scheduled to perform at the San Remo Festival. At that time the Connie Francis-Dick Kanellis divorce was The Big News in Europe.  As a result of this Connie couldn't go anywhere without having troops of reporters and photographers around her.  Moreover , Connie was considered as "THE STAR" and the Highlight of the festival.  Other well-known artists like Petula Clarck, Dusty Springfield and Gene Pitney appeared at the festival, too, and although they were much higher on the hit-single charts, they were not fit to hold a candle to Miss Francis' standard.  This was another example of her majesty. Her song at the Festival was "Ho Bisogno di Vederti" and Connie received an ovation for her dramatic and powerful performance of this Italian song.. During the Festival Connie stayed at the Rocce del Capo Hotel and she was happy to learn that her song became such a potent seller with the Italians.  Moreover, the whole thing meant a good promotion for her, since music-magazines in Italy, France, Germany, and the Netherlands published interviews and pictures of Connie taken at San Remo. The beautiful American artist could fly home, knowing that she had triumphed once again. (The sleeve of the CD "Canzone Italiane con Amore"  (Polygram South Africa / Conbud 2) shows a black and white picture of Connie singing "Ho Bisogno di Vederti" at the San Remo Festival.  However, this song is not included  on this CD - Jan). -WHERE THE BOYS ARE / MGM EP 756 (UK) - Because of  You / Young at Heart / Where the Boys Are / You Made Me Love You - Liner notes on EP sleeve by Robert Weston (UK 1961) The Connie Francis success story is history.  Many thousand words have been written about Connie and all that remains to be said is that her incredible list of hit records lengthens each time a new disc is released.  Connie was delighted when MGM pictures offered her a role in their comedy production "Where the Boys Are".  She had previously ghosted the singing voice of  leading actresses in the film "Rock, Rock, Rock" and "Disc Jockey Jamboree", but there was the chance of a singing and acting role.  The film reached London in the summer of 1961, and her charming performance must surely set Connie on the road to fame as a film-actress. The title song of the film, and of this record, was composed by two of Connie's firmest friends, Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, who were also responsible for the first rock 'n' roll song she recorded, "Stupid Cupid".  Neil has now also achieved renown as a singer in his own right, while Howie goes from strength to strength, writing in collaboration with Neil, Jack Keller and other writers of the young American school. Connie has made several best-selling LP's of ballads, and on this EP we find three previously un-issued tracks - her beautiful treatment of three well-known American ballads. The relaxed, philosophiocal "Young At Heart", from the film of the same name, was written in 1954 by jazz bandleader and arranger Johnny Richards, and Carolyn Leigh, who lately has added hit Broadway musicals to her list of achievements.  The flowing and melodious "Because of You" by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson, was first heard in the dark days of the Second World War, while "You Made Me Love You" by Joe MacCarthy and James V. Monaco, who later penned many other catchy melodies which now fall into the category of evergreens. Congratulation, Connie, on four more brilliant, sparkling tracks! Robert Weston

Posted April 28 2002 Connie At The Copa - UK Connie Francis International Fan Club Magazine of  December 1971/February 1972 Connie was scheduled for a stint at the Copacabana in November 1971, but owing to illness she was only able to appear for four nights. The following extract ( taken from the magazine nr. 9 ) however, covers her first performance. "Connie has class at the Copa":  New York. - You should think that Connie Francis returning to the Copacabana would be an occasion for pure nostalgia - an evening of your favourite Sedaka-Greenfield songs sung by perhaps the foremost female record-seller of all time. Well, she did sing a few of the old hits at her recent Copa opening (4) but she also did many newer things with so much class and feeling that the nostalgic character of the show was overshadowed by her interpretations of current song. Connie, who now records for the Ivanhoe label, went through a set which featured insightful readings of many of today's most performed songs.  Although it is difficult to get excited at the prospect of hearing anyone do "Something", "Help Me Make It Through the Night", "Joy To the World" or  "Bridge Over Troubled Water"  these days, she truly sang these songs in a way that added something to the countless versions already existing. Her Italian medley and the oldies that she did sneak in ("Mama" and "Where the Boys Are" ) only added to the delight of the crowd which was moved to a near-unanimous standing ovation after Connie's several encores." From the same Fan Club magazine: "Connie Thriumps Again at The Copa" by Glennise Perkins (a CF fan). Despite the fact that Connie was not too well on the evening of November 6th 1971, she still went on stage at the Copacabana Night Club. Her opening number of  "Love Me Tonight" proved that it was going to be a great performance for our number one girl singer. Between jokes Connie sang many old favourites including,  "Who's Sorry Now", "Exodus", "Al Di La", and the one song which always captures audiences - "Mama".   She also sang a medley of Jewish favourites, including "Hava Negilah" and a selection of Italian favourites. She brought us up to date with songs such as "Something", "My way", "Help Me Make It Through the Night", "Joy To the World"/"Put Your Hand In the Hand", "Amazing Grace" and an older song "Those Were the Days". Connie certainly gave a great performance and received a wonderfully warm reception. From the Connie Francis Fan Club Bulletin Chapter # 401 (USA 1967) The Copacabana New York is still talking about the smash SRO (Standing Room Only) two-week engagement just concluded by our talented Connie.  It proved to be one of her moste succesful nightclub appearances ever, and it will be long remembered by those who were lucky to attend.  Connie was just sensational.  Here is just a sample of some of  her great reviews:     .....Looking spectacular in a feathered gown, the MGM canary trilled "Al di la", You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", "Winchester Cathedral" and the like .....     ..... Miss Francis took charge the moment she stepped on the stage.....     .....When she finished her multiple-tuned Gershwin-medley and another lush medley of Italian numbers, you begin to wonder what she has saved for a finale.  Then she takes your mind off that with a special material ditty titled "Would You Believe It?", and swings back into some of her best-selling hits.  At that point you want to meet her family. Following Connie's smash opening, MGM Records held a cocktail party at the Hotel Pierre in celebration of her 10 years in show business. Appearances - Connie Francis Fan Club Bulletin, Chapter # 401, 1967 Connie did a benefit in St. Louis on February 8th, 1967, along with Frank Sintara and Dean Martin, which was shown on three closed circuit television audiences that same evening. ().   Albums - Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites - released October 1960 Selections from the above album - "MAYN SHTETL BELZ "   Translation , mayn shtetele Belz  Mayn hemele, dort vu ich hob  Mayne kindershe yorn farbracht.  Belz, mayn shtelete Belz,  In oremen shtibele mit ale  Kinderlech dort gelacht.  Yedn shabes fleg ich loyfn dort  Mit der tchine gleych  Tsu zitsen unter dem grinem  Beymele, leyenen bay dem taych.  Belz, mayn shtetele Belz,  Mayn heymele, vu ch'hob gehat  Di sheyne chaloymes a sach. Belz, my village Belz My home, where I spent My childhood. Belz, my village Belz, In a poor little cottage All the children were laughing Every Shabath I used to go With my prayer book And sit down under the green tree And read, on the river bank. Belz, my village Belz, My home, where I once had A lot of beautiful dreams   From the above album.  Also from "Connie at The Copa", released Jan. 1961-"SHEYN VI DI L'VONE"  Translation Sheyn vi di L'vone  Lichtik vi di shtern  Fun himl a matone  Bistu mir tsugeschikt.  Mayn glik hob ich gevinen  Ven ich hob dich gefinen  Shaynst vi toyzent zinen  Host mayn harts baglikt.  Dayne tseyndelech, vayse perelech  Mit dayne sheyne oygn  Dayne kleydelech, dayne herelech  Host mir tsugetsoygn  Sheyn vi di l'vone  Lichtik vi di shtern  Fun himl a matone  Bistu mir tsugeschikt.  Beautiful like the moon Shining like the stars A gift from heaven You were sent to me I gained my fortune When I found you You shine like thousand suns You've brought happiness to my heart Your teeth like white pearls Your beautiful eyes, Your dresses, your hair, Have drawn me to you Beautiful like the moon Shining like the stars A gift from heaven You were sent to me. (Some Yiddish words or the pronunciation of some of the Yiddish words - or how they are written - may differ from country to country, but in general this is the way Connie sings these two songs and you can read their meaning in the English translation).    CONNIE IN GERMANY - 1963 by Jan de Gee,  President of a Connie Francis Fan Club in Holland. From: Connie Francis Fan Club, 39 Dalebrook Road, Bloomfield, N.J., president Amy C. Parrillo (1963) (Amy almost lived next to Connie and was a penfriend of mine for years - I have pictures of Connie & Amy together - Jan Willem de Gee)  In 1963 Connie Francis won a popularity poll in Germany of the music magazine "Bravo".  1.Connie Francis: 76,267 votes 2. Caterina Valente: 70,300 votes 3. Conny Froboess: 40,041 votes 4. Heidi Bruehl: 33,147 votes 5. Mina: 25,082 votes  6. Nana Mouskouri: 20,145 votes Other names were:   8. Helen Shapiro: 14,170 votes 12. Brenda lee: 10,126 votes.  Connie Francis has won "Der Goldener Grosser Otto" (The Gold Grand Otto) award.  She won this "Otto" also in 1962.  This year she won with the songs "Paradiso" and "Wenn Du Gehst" (Both for a long period at the top of the hit parade in Germany and Holland).  Last year she won with the song "Schoener Fremder Mann",  the German version of the American "Someone Else's Boy". Connie has alreadya a new big double hit in Germany, "Colombino/Barcarole in der Nacht".  It's Connie's fifth record that reached number one on the German charts.  She will stay at the top in this country." JEALOUS HEART - LP - MGM E/SE 4355 Recording dates of songs on the LP, " JEALOUS HEART" - This information comes from The Connie Francis Discography 20th Anniversary 1955-1975 (Volume 1) written, produced and compiled by Ron Roberts (UK).  * Jealous Heart * If  You Ever Get Lonely  * Everything  I Have Is Yours  * If  You Ever Change Your Mind  * Do I  * Fair Weather Lover  * Ivory Tower  * Once A Day  * My Foolish Heart  * I'm Falling In Love With You Tonight  * Nevertheless  * So Long, Goodbye  August 12, 1965 & Sept. 25, 1965 June 20, 1963 April 8, 1964 April 7, 1965 June 20, 1963 November 1962 December 8, 1965 May 26, 1965 April 8, 1964 November 2, 1961 April 8, 1964 March 24, 1965