Sieben schwarze Rosen
Album 3
THIRD OF 18 ALBUMS IN GERMAN
Nana's German discography is the richest after the French and the English ones. Even if this repertoire is little exported outside of Europe, it counts for much, because it’s the one that made her know the consecration of the disc at her beginnings. The Germans love her and nickname her "Die Stimme der Sehnsucht" (The Voice of Nostalgia). For them, Nana sings melodies from her country in their language, but also their authors and composers. After presenting the first album to you, I would like to do the same with the one that inaugurated her second intensive German period which spanned from 1975 to 1987. Here is an article on its content, its various covers and its journey.
1) THE CONTENT
"Sieben schwarze Rosen", released in February 1975, was produced by André Chapelle. It includes twelve titles. Seven of them are also part of the French album "Que je sois un ange...". The others are successes that Nana had already sung in other languages. The Alain Goraguer orchestra accompanies her in most of the recordings.
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Side 1
01- Sieben schwarze Rosen |
Side 2
01- Er ist lang her |
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The two essentials that she performs in each of her concerts: "Sieben schwarze Rosen" and "Adios".
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SIEBEN SCHWARZE ROSEN This opus, which relaunched Nana's German career, begins with the title song. Like in French, "Une femme rêve" (a woman dreams) of seven black roses, to find happiness. Harmonica, piano and violins join Nana's voice to perform well this poetry set to music. In her concerts, she always performs it in its entirety and each time the audience is delighted with her rendition. |
ADIOS In this more catchy melody, we distinguish the violin, the guitar, the trumpet and the tam-tam. In Spanish, French and Portuguese, the song is called "Soledad". In German, this first name is not specified, but the theme remains the same: a man separated from his lover says that they are united in thought and remains optimistic to see her again. Included in all compilations, it's no wonder that this version has been pressed over a million times. |
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OTHER SONGS
It is also necessary to underline two songs which were important in her career. First, "Schlaf ein - Angelina", one of her great successes in France, which she had not yet released in German. And Schubert's "Ave Maria - Santa Maria", which she has performed so often in Latin in her concerts. To these, we can add two others which have been recorded in four languages: "Der Wind in den Haaren", including in Greek, and "Er ist lang her", in Japanese.
2) THE DIFFERENTS COVERS
THE ORIGINAL
The LP was pressed as such, with a gatefold sleeve, in three countries: Germany, Austria and France. On the cover, a close-up of Nana through a window pane. On the back, a photo with a more distant plan. She is wearing a black dress with a rose around her neck. Inside are the titles, six recommended LPs and a big studio photo with the same dress. They are the work of the famous photographer and filmmaker Just Jaeckin. Those who have seen Nana's 1973 BBC series may remember that dress she wore in one of her shows. It's also the one we see on the album "Vieilles chansons de France".
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AUSTRIA For the Swiss record club Ex Libris, a special edition has been marketed. The LP, pressed in Austria, came out with a single cover, with the inside photo of the original album. |
HOLLAND The Dutch public knew this recording with two single covers. The first, with the original front and back cover. The second, with two slightly different photos and the title "Träume sind Sterne". It should be noted that this is the German version of the Dutch hit "Geven voor Leven" from the famous singer Pierre Kartner alias Vader Abraham. |
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EAST GERMANY At the time of East Germany, it came out with a single cover. The photo of the back is clearer and the songlist appears depending on side 1 or 2. Two of them are different: "Komm, komm, sag uns deinen Traum" and "Schlaf ein - Angelina" are replaced by "Rote Koralen" and "Ich schau den weissen Wolken nach". |
3) ITS JOURNEY
Nana’s comeback with a full German album had a huge impact. As some songs were played a lot on the radio, it was necessary to release 45 rpm discs and her television appearances became more and more frequent.
THREE 45 RPM DISCS First: "Komm, komm, sag uns deinen Traum" / "Träume sind Sterne". In Germany, the first title entered the charts for nine weeks and reached the 30th position. In Holland, the second, three weeks, and hit the 32nd. |
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Then "Adios" / "Der Wind in den Haaren". "Adios" appeared in the hit parades during 16 weeks. At its peak, it reached the 20th position. With "La Provence", it’s her best-selling 45 rpm disc of her new German era. And, "Sieben schwarze Rosen" / "Er ist lang her".
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TELEVISION Whether on "Starparade", "Musik aus Studio B" or on "Die Drehscheibe", Nana performed the songs from these singles. For the viewers, it was an opportunity to see her again on the small screen. |
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GOLD As for the album, it stayed in the Top 50 for 32 weeks and reached No. 18. After five years, it got the certification threshold: 250,000 copies. The presentation of the gold record took place on January 30, 1980 in Hamburg in the presence of Jürgen Sauermann, her representative in Germany. |
CD In 1991, despite the end of the vinyl record, this recording was still in demand. That’s why Phonogram GmbH decided to release it on CD. |
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IN THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
After she became a star in her country, her records sold in the millions in Germany. When her French and English career was solidly established, the time had come to reconnect with the public to whom she owes her first major international success. Nana didn’t want to release 45 rpm discs like she used to do since her debut, but a complete work. So was released the album "Sieben schwarze Rosen", the first in nine years. This successful return confirmed to her that she was still part of the German cultural landscape. Since a reunion album is rarely limited to one, we can presume that there were others. Hope I will be back soon for a future article!
