Presenting

Reflection of a performer

SEVENTH ENGLISH ALBUM

Those who have followed Nana's career know that for several years, mainly between 1968 and 1976, she hosted her BBC TV series. On each program, during 45 minutes, she sang and received artists from all over the world. Many of the songs she performed have never been released on record. At the beginning of 1973, for her seventh English album, Nana decided to please her fans by launching "Presenting". So I present to you an article on its content, its covers, its journey and the reasons why I consider it as the perfect album.

1) THE CONTENT

Before elaborating on its content, it should be noted that this is an André Chapelle production and that the Peter Knight orchestra accompanies her in most of the recordings. With Nana, they had to adapt English, French and Greek hits as well as traditional songs from the British Isles.

Of the eleven songs, there are only two that we really identify with Nana. First, "I have a dream", the English version of "Comme un soleil" which she has performed so often in her concerts in France and Quebec. And "Children of the stars", better known under the title of "Milisse mou". This one is probably the most difficult to sing of her English repertoire with "An English country garden". Not only are the lyrics complicated, but it is necessary to articulate them well and to follow the tempo. For some unexplained reason, it will be replaced by the original version.

The others are superb covers that suit her voice perfectly. Let us think of "Morning has broken" (Cat Stevens), "Imagine" (John Lennon) and "Let it be" (The Beatles), all songs of peace. It’s important to highlight "And I love you so" (Don McLean) which she performs with delicacy and sensitivity. And the moving bilingual version of "If you love me" (Édith Piaf) which is none other than "L’hymne à l'Amour".

All of these songs are part of her 1973 TV series. Several others have remained unreleased. And this, without counting all the spontaneous duets. This makes us understand that if her record company had released an album for each of her series, there would have been several. This is a proof that Nana doesn’t record everything she sings and that each album is the result of a selection.

2) THE COVERS

THE ORIGINAL Looking at the photo on the cover, we realize that it has been retouched: Nana's dress is black, but it is coloured blue and her hair is longer than usual. As for the background, it seems painted like a picture. In short, if it's not a painting, the original photo has been faded and then coloured. In addition to the title, it is specified that these are songs from her TV series by listing them. On the back, details of the recordings appear on a black and white photo of Nana in front of her microphone.

THE JAPANESE, THE INDIAN AND THE MEXICAN

Of the twelve countries that pressed the LP, three opted for a different packaging. The Japanese subsidiary was inspired by the English edition of "The Exquisite": a blue cover with a photo of Nana on it. In addition, it’s a gatefold sleeve and it includes the lyrics. The Indian used the same photo as on the cover of "Le tournesol" with a brown contour. On the back, there is the song list, a photo and a text. The Mexican published it in the series "Los Grandes Artistas" and titled it "Imagina". For the cover, they used the very beautiful photo of her "Vieilles chansons de France". On the back, two photos and details of the songs in a different order.

3) ITS JOURNEY

QUADRIPHONIC (SOUND) In 1975, in Japan, a special edition appeared in quadraphonic (with four speakers rather than two) under the title "If you love me". Surprise: the vocal recordings of "Open the door" and "Milisse mou" are new. The rest of the content is the same, but the order of the songs is different. A stunning photo of Nana in concert is used on both sides of the cover and an insert includes the lyrics.

REISSUES In 1980, the album re-appeared in the "Reflections" or "Success" collection depending on the country. While in Canada, it remained available until the disappearance of the vinyl record in 1989.

CD In 2005, for her English Integral "Nana Mouskouri Collection", the album was released as digipack format under the title of "The singer". It is paired with "An American Album", produced by Snuff Garrett in 1973. Two totally different works on the same CD. In 2016 it happened again with another album thanks to the English company Vocalion. Made in Austria, the CD is called "Songs from her TV series & Turn on the sun".

4) THE PERFECT ALBUM

If I decided to write an article about this album, it was not based on the success or the impact it had. Of course, it counted since it came out during the heyday when her English career was taking off. But above all, it’s a personal choice. From the first time I listened to it, I think it’s one of her best. In any case, among the English albums, this is my favourite. For me, this is the perfect album, in the sense that it is perfect, as much for the beauty of the songs as for the quality of the interpretation.

For a performer, it’s risky to cover great hits, because they are not new and comparisons are often inevitable. But in the case of Nana, that didn't happen. With her ability and her naturalness, one would think that they were composed for her. If it allows fans to listen to songs popularized by other artists, it is also an opportunity for the general public to discover her.

A BEAUTIFUL REPRESENTATION

Some may still remember Nana's first series in 1968. At that time there were no records available in England. This time, with "Presenting", the public was fulfilled because in addition these are the songs she performed on television. Since its release, 50 years have passed. Its title and its content are a beautiful representation of the years when Nana hosted her TV shows which made her known around the world. At the same time, it’s the reflection of a performer who can sing anything. Those who like the album and would like to hear a collection of similar songs, I recommend "Nana's Book of Songs", released following her 1974 television series.