RÉIMPRESSION FROM 1964

The series "Réimpressions", released in 1977 for the centennial of the record invention, clearly illustrates a mystery. In fact, on Nana's album, it is mentioned "Sings her greatest hits from 1964 to 1976" as her first French songs date back to 1961. Now that we think about it, these recordings are not included in the other compilations. In addition, the first two 33 rpm "Si tu m'aimes tant que ça" and "À force de prier" and her EPs are removed from the catalog for several years. The album "My favourite Greek songs", recorded in 1963, is the only witness of that period.

ROSES BLANCHES DE CORFOU

All the biographical texts refer to "Roses blanches de Corfou". The German version which sold over a million copies made of it her first greatest international hit. The 1961 recording with two verses was included on the third EP. In 1968, when Nana re-recorded the song with her band, The Athenians, the first version became less and less common. In Canada, for some unknown reason, the original track will be replaced by a live recording.

C’EST JOLI LA MER

This tune became famous especially thanks to the American singer Brenda Lee. Her version "All alone I am" was so successful that it is hard to imagine that it is a Greek song. In both English and French, it has been covered by several artists. Nana sang it during her first appearance at the Olympia Theatre in Paris in December 1962. In France, like "À force de prier," the song was briefly rereleased on the first edition of "Impact Volume 2". In Canada, it will be available until 1980.

UN HOMME EST VENU

Popularized by many artists, that song is from the film "A taste of honey". Nana recorded the French version in London in February 1963 with the orchestra of Johnny Keating. Two years later, the original single was reissued for the jukeboxes. Like the other French songs of that era, it gradually ceased to be engraved. In Canada, it remained available until 1980. No doubt that is why it was found in the short-term collection "Pleins feux sur ... Vol. 2"?

À FORCE DE PRIER

"À force de prier", a song created for the Eurovision 1963, marked a step in Nana's carrer. She didn't win the contest but her performance made her known throughout Europe. Apart from the ephemeral reissue of her first 12-inch LP in 1968, the song was accidentally released on the first pressing of "Impact Volume 2" in 1977. In 2004, the original album was released in CD digipack in the French Integral. Since its first edition, the Eurovision generates the interest of many fans and collectors. Also in 2005, a 50th anniversary DVD including Nana's appearance was marketed.

AVANT TOI

Among the other notable titles of that period, let us mention "Avant toi", the French version of the country standard "Wildwood flower". It was released on scopitone, the ancestor of the video clips that we could watch on a jukebox screen.