samedi 23 mars 2013

Luv' biography - Chapter VII

1989 - 1992: Marga's Luv'



1989 was supposed to be a fabulous year for the original Luv' members. The ladies planned a comeback without Hans van Hemert who created the group. After the lawsuits in the 1980s between the singers, their producers and their manager, Marga Scheide was allowed to hold the copyright on the name " Luv' " and was ready to resurrect Holland's most popular female pop trio.

Patty, Marga & José in 1988

Luv' was rumoured to record an album with "Stock, Aitken & Waterman" (see Chapter VI). The press revealed that they might perform material which was first intended for the sister duo "Mel & Kim". The Appleby siblings could not complete their second album due to Mel's cancer. Unfortunately, the partnership between Luv' and the "UK hit factory" never saw the light of day. The reunion did not happen the way it was supposed to be. José Hoebee didn't want to take part in a revival as her son Tim suffered from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The songstress retired from show business to devote more time to her family in Best, a village in the southern Netherlands. She was replaced by 23-year-old vocalist "Diana van Berlo". The new " Luv' " line-up signed a deal with High Fashion Dance Music/Dureco Records. In August, Patty Brard suddenly left the group. She was not motivated by the comeback as she was worried about her divorce with Carlo Nasi and got a new job as a TV host on the first Dutch commercial TV channel "RTL Veronique". 



Marga & Patty in 1989

28-year-old British vocalist Michelle Gold took the place of Patty. She was an experienced singer who cut a couple of solo records and did background vocals for many recording artists in the music industry (including James Ingram, Grover Washington Jr., Nik Kershaw, Helen Terry, Princess, Evelyn "Champagne" King and Run DMC).


Luv's line-up in 1989: Diana van Berlo, Marga Scheide & Michelle Gold


With the help from Marga's partner Jacques Zwart (aka E. Mergency), a new repertoire (highly inspired by the catchy sound of "Stock, Aitken & Waterman") was chosen. English producer Nigel Wright was hired to supervise the recording sessions of the EP "For You". This former member of the legendary Jazz-funk band Shakatak was a veteran of the music scene thanks to the hit records he produced for Mirage, Imagination and numerous acts. The first single taken from Luv's mini album was the Dance pop track "Welcome To My Party" which came out in the autumn of  1989. The first live show of Marga and her new colleagues took place at the Four Roses Discotheque in Hilversum in front of a select audience (including TV mogul John de Mol) on September 10th. A few days later, the viewers watched the first TV performance of the "new" Luv' trio on TROS program "Grote Club Show".


Luv' on "Grote Club Show" (September 29. 1989)

Welcome To My Party peaked at #22 on the Dutch Top 40 and #19 on the Nationale Hitparade in the Netherlands. It also reached #28 on the BRT Top 30 in Belgium. 




Luv' and the Dureco Records team at a music trade fair in Hilversum

In the meantime, Patty Brard started to host the Candid camera-like program "Gaan met die Banaan" on RTL Veronique (currently RTL 4). 

Patty on "Gaan met die Banaan"

In late 1989, Luv' and other Dutch pop acts (Desirée, Justian & Mandy, MC Miker G, Marjon, Nando, Oscare, Sisters) joined forces in the "All Stars" project to raise funds for third world children. They recorded a cover version of Starmaker (originally performed by The Kids from Fame in 1982) and released it as a charity single (which peaked at #57 on the Nationale Hitparade in Holland). 

On December 18th 1989, a TV special "Muziek in Natura" (taped in Sri Lanka) aired on AVRO.



The next single was entitled "I Don't Wanna Be Lonely" and issued in 1990. It was a cover version of a club hit by Joan Orleans but it flopped. Then Dureco Records licensed "Girl Like Me", a track taken from the "For You" EP, to the Japanese label Alfa International. It was promoted as an "Eurobeat" song (this music style was popular back then in the Asian archipelago) and was included on Japanese compilations. This strategy to conquer the "Land of the Rising Sun" did not succeed. 




Luv : Girl like Me (1990)

Marga tried to recapture the joyful sound of the original "Luv'" formation with the follow-up single: "Hit-Medley". Meanwhile, Mercury/Phonogram Records (in charge of the back catalogue of the initial trio) released a compilation  ("Greatest Hits") which featured tracks from the late 1970s and a megamix ("Luv' Hitpack") conceived by the then successful producer and remixer Peter "Hithouse" Slaghuis.


In June 1990, Michelle Gold left Luv' as she could not cope with family duties and frequent round-trip flights between England and Holland. She was replaced by 20-year-old Carina Lemoine. This umpteenth line-up change coincided with a new contract with RCA/BMG. The new incarnation of the group put out a Latino-Dance single: "Hasta Manana". Former Luv' member Ria Thielsch supervised the styling of the girls for this record. 

In December 1990, Luv' gave a special performance in Dubai to support Dutch marines involved in the First Gulf War, following in the footsteps of Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe or Raquel Welsch who had entertained soldiers. This special show generated a lot of publicity.

Luv' in 1991: Marga Scheide, Diana van Berlo & Carina Lemoine

1991 saw the release of the "Sincerely Yours" album. This CD was named after a cover version of a US Top 20 hit originally performed by the American girl group "Sweet Sensation". The songs on this opus were marked by Pop music (Sentimental Fool, The Last Song),  Dance music (2am Saturday Night, I Wanna Make Love To You), Flamenco and Latin American sounds (Hasta Manana, Sincerely Yours, Canta De La Luna) as well as Jazz (He's my guy). This material was produced Jacques ZwartHolland's best session musicians were recruited for the recording of this opus: Bert Meulendijk, Eddie Conard, Hans Jansen, Lex Bolderdijk, Omar Dupree and Ton op 't Hof. They had collaborated with artists like Bolland & Bolland, Paul de Leeuw, Gordon, Lee Towers, Herman Brood and Dolly Dots. Despite their participation, Sincerely Yours failed to make any chart impact and just delivered a minor hit: He's my guy which peaked at #75 on the Dutch single chartsAlthough mainstream success was a distant memory for Luv', the ladies often toured the club circuit. 


In April 1991, the trio appeared on the TV special "Luv' in Thailand" which aired on Veronica/Nederland 2


Luv' in Thailand special 

"Jungle Jive" from Luv' in Thailand TV special


In 1992, they covered a Motown classic "This Old Heart Of Mine" (originally performed by The Isley Brothers in 1966). Their Dance rendition was a commercial failure. Soon after promoting it, Luv' disbanded without glory.


The following year, the fans and the media rejoiced. But why?

To be continued...

Click here to read the next chapter.

Singles charts (peak positions):


Welcome To My Party (1989): #22 on the Dutch Top 40 and #19 on the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands), #28 on the BRT Top 30 (Belgium)

Starmaker by The All Stars (Luv', Desirée, Justian & Mandy, Luv', MC Miker G, Marjon, Nando*, Oscare, Sisters -1989): #57 on the Nationale Hitparade (Netherlands)


He's My Guy: #75 on the Nationale Top 100 (Netherlands)


Records releases

Singles



1. Welcome To My Party
Released by High Fashion Dance Music / Dureco in September 1989


7" vinyl single:
  • A side: Welcome To My Party (J.v. Katwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 3:00
  • B side: No Cure No Pay (E. Mergency) - 3:39

Dutch cover

12" vinyl single:

  • A side: 
Welcome To My Party (Party House Mix) - 6:01
Welcome To My Party (Acapella) - 1:32
  • B side: 
Hit-Medley (Greatest Lover/Trojan Horse/Yes I Do/Casanova /U.O.Me) - 7:14

                                         Welcome To My Party (12" single)

CD Maxi-single: 
  1. Welcome To My Party (J. v. Karwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 3:00
  2. Welcome To My Party (12 Inch Version - J. v. Karwijk, M. Schimscheimer, R. Sommer) - 6:21
  3. No Cure No Pay (E. Mergency) - 3:39

2. 4 Gouden Hits (Mini CD)
Released by Philips Records in 1989

  1. You're the Greatest Lover
  2. Trojan Horse
  3. Casanova
  4. U.O.Me                                                                                                               
All tracks written by Janschen & Janschens







3. You're the Greatest Lover (Mini CD)
Released by Philips Records Germany in 1989
  1. You're the Greatest Lover
  2. Everybody's Shaking Hands On Broadway
  3. Trojan Horse
     All tracks written by Janschen & Janschens






4. Starmaker (by The All Stars: Luv', Desirée*, Justian & Mandy, MC Miker G, Marjon*, Nando*, Oscare, Sisters)
Released by High Fashion Dance Music / Dureco in December 1989

7'' vinyl single:

  • A side: Starmaker by The All Stars (Roberts, Sager)
  • B side Air by Jacques Michel Orchestra (D,P. Bach, E. Mergency)



5. Luv' Hitpack
Released by Phonogram/Mercury Records in 1989 


7" vinyl single:
  • A side: Luv' Hitpack (Janschen & Janschen) — 4:32
Casanova/Life Is On My Side/U.O.Me/Casanova/You're The Greatest Lover/Life Is On My Side/Trojan Horse/Everybody's Shakin' Hands On Broadway/Casanova

Remix by Peter "Hithouse" Slaghuis

  • B side: Luv' Stuff (Peter "Hithouse" Slaghuis)- 3:18
CD single:  

1. Luv' Hitpack (Janschen & Janschens) — 4:32

Casanova/Life Is On My Side/U.O.Me/Casanova/You're The Greatest Lover/Life Is On My Side/Trojan Horse/Everybody's Shakin' Hands On Broadway/Casanova

2. Luv' Hitpack (Long Version) — 5:29

Casanova/Life Is On My Side/U.O.Me/Casanova/You're The Greatest Lover/Life Is On My Side/Trojan Horse/Everybody's Shakin' Hands On Broadway/Casanova

3. Luv' Stuff (Peter "Hithouse" Slaghuis)— 4:52





6. I Don't Wanna Be Lonely
Released by High Fashion Dance Music - Dureco in 1990


7" vinyl single and CD single:
1: I Don't Be Lonely (Nigel Stock) - 4:07
2: Medley (Janschen & Janschens) - 7:14




Spanish pressing of "I Don't Wanna Be Lonely"

7. Girl Like Me
Released by Toco/Beaver Records/Alfa International (Japan) in 1990


7" Vinyl Single:
  1. Girl Like Me — (Nigel Stock) 4:12
  2. No Cure No Pay — (E.Mergency) 3:39
CD Single and 12-inch single:
  1. Girl Like Me (Extended Version) - Nigel Stock
  2. Girl Like Me (Nigel Stock) — 4:12
  3. No Cure No Pay (E.Mergency) — 3:39




8. LUV Hit-Medley
Released by RCA/BMG (Germany) in 1990

7" Vinyl Single:

  • A side: Hit-Medley (Janschen & Janschens) — 3:59

Greatest Lover/Trojan Horse/Yes I Do/Casanova/U.O.Me


  • B side: No Cure No Pay (E.Mergency) — 3:39

CD Single and 12-inch single:

  • Hit-Medley (12-inch version) - 7:14
Greatest Lover/Trojan Horse/Yes I Do/Casanova/U.O.Me
  • Hit-Medley (Single Version) — 3:59
Greatest Lover/Trojan Horse/Yes I Do/Casanova/U.O.Me
  • No Cure No Pay — 3:39




9. Hasta Manana 
Released by RCA/BMG in 1990
Written by E. Mergency & Marga Scheide 


CD Single:
  1. Hasta Manana (Extended Version) - 5:31
  2. Hasta Manana (Club Mix) - 6:00
  3. Hasta Manana (Hé Kanjer) - (Single Version) - 3:57



10. Jungle Jive 
Released by RCA/BMG in 1991

CD single:

1. Jungle Jive (G.Thé, E.Mergency, Marga Scheide) - 3:23
2. Sentimental Fool (E.Mergency & Marga Scheide) - 4:17





11. He's My Guy
Released by RCA/BMG in 1991


7" vinyl single & CD single:

  1. He's My Guy (E.Mergency)
  2. Canta De La Luna (E.Mergency / Marga Scheide)


12. The Last Song
Released by RCA/BMG in 1991
Written by E.Mergency & Marga Scheide
Guest vocal: Omar Dupree




13. This Old Heart Of Mine
Released by JAM in 1992
Written by Holland–Dozier–Holland / Sylvia Moy






Extended Play

1. For You
Released by High Fashion Dance Music / Dureco in 1989


Front cover

Track listing:

1. "Welcome To My Party" (R.Sommer, M. Schimscheimer, J. van Katwijk Nigel Wright and John Smits) - 3:00
2. "Girl Like Me" (Nigel Stock) - 4:12
3. "I Don't Wanna Be Lonely" (Nigel Stock, Nigel Wright) - 4:07
4. "Naughty" (M. Farina, G. Crivillente) - 3:58
5. "No Cure No Pay" (E. Mergency) - 3:39
6. "Medley" (12" Version) (Janschen & Janschens, Margret) - 7:14

Credits:
Marga Scheide: vocals
Michelle Gold: vocals
Diana van Berlo: vocals
Nigel Wright, Nigel Stock, John Smits, E. Mergency: synthesizers, keyboards, sequencing, programming

Producers: Nigel Wright, John Smits, Margret, E. Mergency
Recording: Dureco Studio in Weesp
Engineer: Robin Sellars in London
Design: Bart Falkmann
Photography : Govert de Roos



Back cover

Albums

1. Greatest Hits
Released by Phonogram/Mercury Records in 1989


Front cover

Track listing:

1. "You're the Greatest Lover" - 2:50
2. "Shoes Off (Boots On)" - 3:06
3. "Louis je t'adore" - 3:40
4. "Casanova" - 3:50
5. "D.J" - 3:20
6. "If You Love Me" - 2:34
7. "I Like Sugar Candy Kisses" - 3:36
8. "Don't Let Me Down" - 2:35
9. "Trojan Horse" - 3:23
10. "Marcellino" - 3:15
11. "I.M.U.R" - 3:35
12. "My Man" - 3:05
13. "Sugar Babe" - 2:45
14. "Who Do You Wanna Be" - 3:44
15. "U.O.Me" - 2:55
16. "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" - 2:54
17. "Don Juanito De Carnaval" - 3:13
18. "Everybody's Shakin' Hands On Broadway" - 3:24
19. "Luv' Hitpack - 4:30

Credits:
José Hoebee - vocals
Patty Brard - vocals
Marga Scheide - vocals
Hans van Hemert - producer, songwriter
Piet Souer - Conductor/arranger
Gert Van Hoeyen - Digital remastering
Peter Slaghuis - remix on track 19

2. Sincerely Yours
Released by RCA/BMG in 1991




Front cover

Track listing:

1. "Jungle Jive" (G. Thé, Marga Scheide, E.Mergency) - 3:23
2. "Sincerely Yours" (Ricardo Pagan, Joseph Malloy) - 4:25
3. "Sentimental Fool" (E. Mergency, Marga Scheide) - 4:17
4. "Canta de la Luna" (E.Mergency, Marga Scheide) - 4:15
5. "2am Saturday Night" (F. Rampen, E. Mergency) - 3:10
6. "Hasta Mañana" (E.Mergency, Marga Scheide) - 5:33
7. "He's My Guy" (E. Mergency) - 3:44
8. "Live or Die" (A. Hol, Marga Scheide, E. Mergency) - 3:32
9. "I Wanna Make Love To You" (Lion Keezer) - 3:26
10. "The Last Song" (E. Mergency, Marga Scheide) - 4:31


Credits:
Marga Scheide - vocals
Diana van Berlo - vocals
Carina Lemoine - vocals
Jacques Zwart - keyboard/arranger
Hans Jansen - keyboard
Bert Meulendijk - guitar
Lex Bolderijk - guitar
Ton op 't Hof - drums
Eddie Conard - percussion
The Styluss Horns - horn section
Omar Dupree - background vocals

Producer: Jacques Zwart
Recorded at Hit Jam Studios, Dureco Studios and Wisseloord Studios
Recording engineers: Sytze Gardenier, Erroll Lafleur, Margret van den Heuvel and Jacques Zwart

Styling: Ria Thielsch
Photography: Patricia Steur
Design: Meter


Press clippings
(Courtesy of Martin Vink)

























Source: Official Luv' Fan Club, Official José Hoebee Fan Club, Wikipedia, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, De Krant van Toen...

Bibliography:

Top 40 Hitdossier 1956-2005 (9e editie) by Johan van Slooten, publisher: Gottmer Becht Groep

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