BOONOONOO-NEWS !
Betcha didn’t see that coming !
Forty three years after it’s original release, ‘ Rasputin ‘,
the massive European hit by Boney M., is now a hit in the USA !
The track went viral on the social media app Tik Tok in late January and appeared on
Spotify‘s ‘ Viral Hits ‘ playlist and there is a new dance challenge to the song.
The track debuted at #10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs,
#25 on Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs, and
#5 on the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales charts!
‘ Rasputin ‘ also debuted at #33 on Billboard’s Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.
The group, created by German producer Frank Farian,
comprised of Jamaicans Liz Mitchell ( originally from Clarendon ),
Marcia Barrett ( originally from Spanish Town ),
Bobby Farrell ( originally from Aruba )
and Maizie Williams ( originally from Montserrat ).
The group was formed in nineteen seventy six, dissolved in the mid-eighties,
regrouped briefly in the late eighties for a brief, but conflicted reunion
and then each member went on to create their own solo-Boney M. shows.
only singer Liz Mitchell has continued to collaborate with Frank Farian
over the years, the main lead vocal on many Boney M. hits.
Among their biggest successes are ‘ Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord ‘
( their ever green Christmas song ).
‘ Brown Girl in the Ring ‘, ‘ Daddy Cool ‘, ‘ Ma Baker ‘, ‘ Belfast ‘, ‘ Sunny ‘
and their stand-out version of ‘ Rivers of Babylon ‘.
‘ Rasputin ‘ was a hit in many countries and continents from late 1978 – early 1979.
It reached #1 in Australia, Germany, Austria and Belgium
as well as scoring high in the hit charts of the UK , Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Canada,
New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
In the heights of their success, Boney M. have released several
massively popular studio, compilation and greatest hits albums,
firmly establishing them as legendary artists that have continued with relevance in the modern day.
Samples from their hits have been utilised by artists including
Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg & Mark Ronson, Lady Gaga and Duck Sauce.
Their timeless sounds have influenced generations of contemporary,
artists inspired by the spirit of their unique Disco/ Pop.
The lead vocals for songs on Boney M. singles and albums in the 1970s were sung by
producer Frank Farian, Marcia Barrett and Liz Mitchell,
who quickly became synonymous with the group’s recording identity.
Boney M.’s frontman, Bobby Farrell, was allowed to record vocals in the 1980s
although all four of the group’s members sang live for their concert tours.
New Vinyl Compilation 2021
Sony Import have released a Vinyl only compilation available from 7th February.
Boney M. & Friends features the following fourteen tracks :
SIDE 1
1 Boney M. | Rivers of Babylon
2 Boney M. | Sunny
3 La Bouche | Be My Lover (Radio Edit 1)
4 Boney M. | Daddy Cool
5 Milli Vanilli | Girl You Know It’s True
6 Boney M. | Rasputin
7 No Mercy | Where Do You Go (Radio Mix)
SIDE 2
1 Boney M. | Ma Baker
2 Boney M. | Belfast
3 Boney M. | El Lute
4 Eruption | One Way Ticket
5 Boney M. | Hooray! Hooray! It’s A Holi-Holiday
6 Boney M. | Kalimba De Luna
7 La Bouche | Sweet Dreams (Radio Version)
Nine tracks from Boney M. make up the compilation.
The album cover includes the banner
‘ Hansa Original Recordings ‘ LP – it will be interesting to see
which original recordings have been included.
I like the idea that Sony have issued yet more Boney M. and only on vinyl,
my favourite audio format.
The ‘ Original ‘ Boney M. and Friends !
Frank Farian’s ‘ Super Disco Party ‘ artists compilation all the way back in 1978,
Boney M.’s heyday and another big seller album for Farian and Hansa Records.
futureworldboneym 