Wednesday 6 December 2017

Wand'rin' Star / I Talk to the Trees Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood’s chart topping hit

Aside from the Morricone Dollar single releases, Wand'rin' Star / I Talk to the Trees is arguably the most successful vinyl release among Eastwood related records. "Wand'rin' Star" was a number one single in the UK and Ireland for Lee Marvin for three weeks in March 1970. Although rather strangely, the 7” UK record release was one of the very few not to feature a full picture sleeve cover? A huge amount of releases from around the world all seemed to benefit from a different picture sleeve, apart from the generic Paramount sleeve that UK record buyers had to settle for. It’s always puzzled me as to why. I thought I would take this opportunity to present some of the many designs for this single release. I have spent some time in digitally restoring these sleeves, in order to display them at their best and as they would of appeared back in their day. First, a little history and background on the tracks.
Wand'rin' Star was originally written by Alan J. Lerner (lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) for the stage musical in 1951. When the film of the musical was made in 1969, Lee Marvin took the role of prospector Ben Rumson. Not a natural singer, Marvin nevertheless sang all of his songs in the film, rejecting the idea of miming to another singer's voice. Despite the film being a box office flop, the soundtrack became a success. Orchestrated and arranged by Nelson Riddle, Marvin's version of the song "Wand'rin Star" became a number-one single in Ireland and the UK and earned him a Gold Record. It also kept The Beatles at number two in the UK with their single "Let It Be". Marvin never released a follow-up single which resulted in him being recognised as a one-hit wonder.
In most instances, Clint Eastwood’s I talk to the trees was featured on the B side; however, this did vary on a couple of releases.

Below: The UK single release which did not come in a picture sleeve.
Wand'rin' Star Denmark picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star French picture sleeve single 1
Wand'rin' Star French picture sleeve single 2
Wand'rin' Star French picture sleeve single 3
Wand'rin' Star French picture sleeve single 4 1981 re-issue MCA
Wand'rin' Star German picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Indian picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Israel picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Italy picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Japan picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Netherlands picture sleeve
Wand'rin' Star Norway picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Portugal picture sleeve single EP
Wand'rin' Star Spanish picture sleeve single
Wand'rin' Star Sweden picture sleeve single

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