French albums with Top of the Pops cover art
France issued several album series in the 1970s with cover versions of chart hits. Some of these duplicate Top of the Pops artwork, while others depict models photographed at the same shoots as those providing Top of the Pops covers. Known examples are shown below...
Chansons Succes
This LP series appeared in the 1970s and there were at least five issued. The first was released on the Mr Pickwick label and is credited to the Pickwick Club Band. The LP has an MPD catalogue number, which Mr Pickwick were also using for Top of the Pops-related LPs.
From vol. 2 the series switched to the Manolo record label, but kept the MPD numbering system. Hence there is some link between the two labels. Those put out on Manolo have the act credited as the Manolo Club Band and follow the Top of the Pops artwork much more closely.
It is worth highlighting that the actual recordings do not seem to have any connection with Top of the Pops. We have been able to sound check volume 5, and although the lead track "Save Your Kisses For Me" is vocalised and sounds similar to the original hit, it is not the Top of the Pops version. The rest of the LP has French vocals, so on this evidence, the sound recordings are unconnected.
From vol. 2 the series switched to the Manolo record label, but kept the MPD numbering system. Hence there is some link between the two labels. Those put out on Manolo have the act credited as the Manolo Club Band and follow the Top of the Pops artwork much more closely.
It is worth highlighting that the actual recordings do not seem to have any connection with Top of the Pops. We have been able to sound check volume 5, and although the lead track "Save Your Kisses For Me" is vocalised and sounds similar to the original hit, it is not the Top of the Pops version. The rest of the LP has French vocals, so on this evidence, the sound recordings are unconnected.
Black Music
This album appeared on Mr Pickwick and contains original hits. The cover image is basically the same as the UK album Motortown Hits.
Hits Radio 82 Vol 5
We don't know much about this LP, which is the fifth in a series. However the cover is a copy of Top of the Pops volume 86, released the previous year, and is complete with the cartoon retouches.
Same session - different photo
Another French series was Hit Parade Chante, which ran through the 1970s, and consisted of versions of hit songs, re-made by Mario Cavallero. At least two had cover photos taken from the same shoots as Top of the Pops album covers - although in both cases the actual photos differ.
And another went by the name Parade Des Succes, which ran to about three dozen LPs in the 1970s. The albums were credited to Les Chanteurs at le Grand Orchestre de Claude Dauray. The label is Vygson. A few of these also share Top of the Pops photography.
And another went by the name Parade Des Succes, which ran to about three dozen LPs in the 1970s. The albums were credited to Les Chanteurs at le Grand Orchestre de Claude Dauray. The label is Vygson. A few of these also share Top of the Pops photography.