Maandag Middag Matinee: Herinnering special (including a short phone interview with José Hoebee)

Yesterday, Dutch local radio station Omroep Helmond broadcast a special Maandag Middag Matinee show to celebrate the reissue of the Herinnering album by Bonnie St. Claire & José Hoebee on CD and DVD. The program was hosted by Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters in association with Franklin van Liempt, the initiator of the crowdfunding project that led to the new Deluxe edition of Herinnering.

Between two songs aired on the radio, Franklin was interviewed by Anton and he told anecdotes about the ABBA songs recorded in Dutch by Bonnie & José.

Recap of the first hour of the radio show (1.00 to 2.00 pm) - click here to listen to it. 

• 1st song played: Bonnie & José: Is't Zo Bedoeld (I Let The Music Speak)

José Hoebee gave a short phone interview.  When asked how it felt like to see the reissue of Herinnering, the singer answered: "It's very nice of course. I'm surprised that it never came out on CD before. I don't know the reasons. But we're so happy that now it finally happens in such a good way". Here's what she told about the appearance of Björn Ulvaeus (of ABBA) on the Bonnie & José in Sweden TV special (included on the DVD): "Björn was asked to express his opinion on the album we recorded. First, he wanted to listen to it and then he accepted to comment on camera. He said he appreciated our versions of ABBA songs. It was such a great compliment".

Anton asked José if she knew if Bonnie liked the reissue on CD/DVD. The former Luv' singer replied: "Not directly. But I assume that she likes it". It was a diplomatic way to say she was not on speaking terms with her. 

When asked what her favourite song from Herinnering was, José said: "Zonder Hem because of my current situation and Is't Zo Bedoeld which is a classic song to me".

Finally, here were José's words to her admirers: "I want to thank all the loyal fans and friends for their support all through the years. I hope everybody remains safe. I hope to see you soon". 

• 2nd song played: Bonnie & José: Zonder Hem (Soldiers)

Franklin read Bonnie's comments on the CD/DVD (which are more or less the same as those she made in Eindhovens Dagblad - see news posted on November 20th, 2020). Bonnie liked the collaboration with José and the TV special as well.

• 3rd song played: Joel Corry feat MNEK: Head & Heart

Franklin told that Cassandra was Bonnie and José's first collaboration in 1984 before the release of the Herinnering album. Benny Neyman wrote the lyrics of this song dealing with the Argentian Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (see article posted on May 2nd, 2017). Zoals Vrienden Doen came out one year later.

• 4th song played: Bonnie & José: Cassandra
• 5th song played: Eruption: I Can't Stand The Rain
• 6th song played: Bonnie & José: De Flierenfluiter (The Piper)
• 7th song played: Audrey Landers: My Favorite Café on the Harbor
• 8th song played: Donna Summer: State of Independence - it was my request!!! Thank you Anton! I wanted to play this track in honour of  American recording engineer Bruce Swedien who passed away. He worked on Michael Jackson's Thriller and many other recordings (including the 1982 Donna Summer album featuring State of Independence)
• 9th song played: Bonnie & José : De Postkoets - this non-ABBA song appears as a bonus track on the 2020 edition of Herinnering. Bonnie & José were asked to record a song which didn't belong to their repertoire for the Nederland Muziekland radio and TV shows in 1986. 
• 10th song played: Ultravox: Vienna
• 11th song played: Bonnie & José: Weet Wel Wat Je Doet (Lovers)

Recap of the second hour of the radio show (2.00 to 3.00 pm) - click here to listen to it. 

• 12th song played:  ABBA: Super Trouper (remix)
• 13th song played: Bonnie & José - feat. Ron Brandsteder: Waarom (Move On) - Franklin explained that Ron wrote the Dutch lyrics of this track. Ron also discussed his work with Bonnie & José. His comments appear in the booklet of the 2020 edition of Herinnering. He declared that it was a beautiful album and he was happy it came out on CD. He added that it was performed by the two best pop singers from the Netherlands. 

Franklin was astonished that the Bonnie & José album included beautiful orchestrations and arrangements by Dutch conductor Harry van Hoof at a time when Synth-pop dominated the charts. "Such an approach is the best way to cover ABBA songs," he asserted. 

• 14th song played: Conny Vandenbos: De Noorderzon Scheen - Franklin mentioned Marc Bijlsma (who digitally remastered Herinnering) on that occasion. Marc worked previously on a 15-CD Box of Conny Vandenbos via a crowdfunding campaign. 

Anton asked Franklin when he started to plan his project to reissue the album. "In October 2016, I started to send emails to the record company. This idea came from the UK where small independent labels are used to re-release material which doesn't interest major companies through crowdfunding.  That's why I decided to launch my own company CD-Licious and to do the same with Bonnie & José. We did it so well that we reached our goal in a few days. We decided to add bonus tracks on the CD and the DVD with the additional money," Franklin explained. 

• 15th song played: Bonnie & José: Ligt Dat Aan Jou Of Aan Mij (Why Did It Have To Be Me) - It's Anton's favourite track from Herinnering.
• 16th song played: Van Houwelingen & McRay: Het Gebed - Anton sings the male part of this wonderful duet released in 2018.
• 17th song played: Ava Max: Kings & Queens
• 18th song played: Kids From Fame: Starmaker (live) - Franklin told he was a big fan of the 1980s TV series Fame. Last year, members of the cast (Kids from Fame) performed two reunion concerts in Liverpool, UK thanks to the initiative of fans without the support of mass media. It was Franklin's way to compare this project with the Herinnering 2020 plan. 
• 19th song played: Bonnie & José: Herinnering (Andante, Andante)
• 20th song played: Dolly Dots: Dance With Me
• 21st song played: Steps: Something In Your Eyes - It sounded like ABBA.
• 22nd song played: Bonnie & José: 'N Engels Als Jij (Engel Wie Du) - "10 years after their duet LP, the ladies recorded this single which was a cover version of Engel Wie Du originally performed by Juliane Werding, Viktor Lazlo & Maggie Reilly.
• 23th song played: Janis Joplin: Me and Bobby McGee

Anton on Maandag Middag Matinee

Recap of the third hour of the radio show (4.00 to 5.00 pm) - click here to listen to it. 

• 24th song played: Lily Allen: F**k You
• 25th song played: Bonnie & José: Vriendschap (Arrival)

Franklin: "A first Dutch version of ABBA's Arrival had already been recorded. It appeared on the Abbacadabra musical performed by Dutch artists prior to the Herinnering album. The first Dutch cover was entitled Bij Mij and sung by Bonnie St. Claire and Benny Neyman. Bonnie & José recorded their own version and named it Vriendschap". 

• 26th song played: The Weeknd: Save Your Tears 
• 27th song played: Bonnie & José: Chiquitita - Franklin: "The majority of the songs on the ladies album are not ABBA hits except this one".
• 28th song played: The Supremes: I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do My Walking
• 29th song played: Bonnie & José: Hart Voor Een Kind (I Have A Dream - live) - Franklin: "This song is a bonus track on the new edition of the album. It was performed live during a charity show on TV for Polish children with medical problems in late 1984. That's why special lyrics were written on that occasion".
• 30th song played: Pussycat: Somewhere Someone
• 31st song played: Bonnie & José: Een Man (One Man One Woman)
• 32nd song played: Vicky Leandros - Verloren Zijn We Niet (Dutch version of Verlorenes Paradies)

At the end of the show, Franklin said a big thank you to the following persons who contributed to the project:

* Marc Bijlsma for remastering the original master tapes.

* Marinus de Graaf for the design (cover, booklet, DVD menu and the crowdfunding video).

* Stany Van Wymeersch for writing the booklet. Previously he published the books "Let's Talk About ABBA" and "We ALL Love ABBA".

* Casper Janssen for supporting this project thanks to his long experience in the music industry.

* Karin Angeleyes who launched a Facebook page (Herinnering - Bonnie & José) to promote this initiative.

* Govert de Roos who photographed Bonnie & José for this album.

* Last but not least: Luv's tour manager and dear friend David Hay Gibson who helped Stany with English translations. 

Franklin also thanked the 191 people who took part in the crowdfunding campaign via voordekunst.nl. 

• 33rd song played: Bonnie & José: Zoals Vrienden Doen (The Way Old Friends Do) - the duo's signature song.

Source: Omroep Helmond, Facebook (Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters, Maandag Middag Matinee)

Bonnie & José's Herinnering (2020 edition): officially out today and media coverage!!!

Today is the day! The 2020 edition of Herinnering, the 1985 iconic album by Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee (including ABBA songs performed in Dutch) is officially out today!! Click here for details about the tracklist of the CD and DVD. 

Many thanks to Franklin van Liempt, the initiator of a successful crowdfunding campaign which made this reissue possible via the voordekunst.nl site as well as all the fans who took part in this project. Among the Facebook pages that also supported this initiative: Herinnering - Bonnie & José, José Hoebee Fan Page, Official Luv', José Hoebee Mijn Idool and Fan site Bonnie St. Claire

Franklin van Liempt would like to thank:

* Marc Bijlsma for remastering the original master tapes.

* Marinus de Graaf for the design (cover, booklet, DVD menu and the crowdfunding video).

* Stany Van Wymeersch for writing the booklet. Previously he published the books "Let's Talk About ABBA" and "We ALL Love ABBA".

* Casper Janssen for supporting this project thanks to his long experience in the music industry.

* Karin Wolters who launched a Facebook page (Herinnering - Bonnie & José) to promote this initiative.

* Govert de Roos who photographed Bonnie & José for this album.

To buy a copy, please visit http://www.cd-licious.com/releases/ 

You can even buy it on the website of ABBA Fan Club Shop: https://bit.ly/3fgpfdH

The majority of the people who took part in the crowdfunding campaign (mostly Dutch) already received the new edition of Herinnering at home. 

This masterpiece is also listed on the Discogs database: https://bit.ly/2UGzZsq

Back cover of the CD/DVD

Herinnering was also mentioned in the media.

I) Press

* AD/ED/BN de Stem

Photo by Govert de Roos

Journalist Frank van den Muijsenberg wrote an article which appeared in Dutch newspapers:

Eindhovens Dagblad: https://bit.ly/3flzNIr - posted on November 18th, 2020

Algemeen Dagblad: https://bit.ly/3lSloWA - posted on November 20th, 2020

BN DeStem: https://bit.ly/3kOOW6r - posted on November 20th, 2020

Translation of an excerpt from the article in English:

José Hoebee told Van den Muijsenberg how her collaboration with Bonnie St. Claire started during her winter sports holidays in Austria. She explained: "We were in a pleasant guest house. Suddenly we sang ABBA's song "The Way Old Friends Do". It was a nice moment and nothing more. Initially, our intention was not to record it. But then my husband (record producer Will Hoebee) said: "Your voices are a perfect match. Maybe we should consider recording an album with ABBA songs".

"ABBA were so good. At that time nobody wanted to cover their songs. But we dared to do it," José added.

Will Hoebee only produced material known for its artistic excellence. José asserted: "When he received a song that he didn't like, he refused to record it. He wanted something classy. That's what you can listen on this album. It's a record with beautiful arrangements and good lyrics. It's not just an "I-Love-You-and-I-Will-Be-Yours-Forever" kind of LP. What's so funny is that I sang the parts originally performed by the blonde Agnetha Fältskog. Bonnie sang the parts performed by the dark-haired Frida Lyngstad. In terms of hair colour, it should have been the opposite. Frida is my favourite ABBA singer due to her warm voice even if Agnetha is also fantastic."

The Eindhoven-based conductor and music arranger Harry van Hoof was in charge of the arrangement on this album and assisted by the best Dutch session musicians. The lyrics in Dutch were written by pop icons Hans Vermeulen en Edward Reekers, who also recorded background vocals. Alexander Curly and  Benny Neyman also contributed to this ambitious project. Neyman even wrote the lyrics of the Dutch version of Cassandra dealing with the Argentinian "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" (see article posted on May 2nd, 2017). 

The team which supervised this album chose consciously to cover lesser-known ABBA songs, except the hit song "Chiquitita". "The track entitled "Is ‘t zo bedoeld’ (‘I Let The Music Speak’)" is almost a classic. It is not well known by the general public but it is so beautiful," José told. 

Three tracks taken from the LP reached the singles charts: "Cassandra", "Zoals Vrienden Doen" and "Waarom". The album is reissued for the first time on CD thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. It is a Deluxe edition featuring bonus tracks and a DVD (including a TV special for the NCRV taped in Sweden). Even Björn Ulvaeus appeared on the special. "The director asked Björn if he wanted to react on the album. He said: "First I wanted to listen to the music. Otherwise, I don't want to comment". He was positive about it. It was such a great compliment to us," José explained. 

Bonnie St. Claire was also interviewed by Frank van den Muijsenberg. "These songs and the recordings are unforgettable. It was such a big party. The collaboration with José was so nice. Our voices matched so well," Bonnie said.  When asked if such top production would be possible in 2020 in the Netherlands, St. Claire answered with a big "No". "Nowadays rappers dominate the music business and there are fewer possibilities to record songs with such a musical potential. That's why this CD is so unique," she declared.

* ABBA Intermezzo (International ABBA Fan Club)

ABBA Intermezzo magazine (Autumn 2020 - 30th anniversary issue) mentions Herinnering (2020 edition):

II) Radio 

NPO Radio 5/NPO Sterren NL posted an article about the long-awaited reissue. Click here to read it.

Moreover, a special radio show to celebrate Herinnering 2020 will be broadcast as part of the Maandag Middag Matinee program on Omroep Helmond on November 23rd between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm. Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters will interview Franklin van Liempt about his ambitious project.

Source: CD-Licious, Facebook, ED, AD, BN de Stem, ABBA Intermezzo, NPO Radio 5...

Herinnering by Bonnie & José (2020 edition): final stretch and special radio show on Maandag Middag Matinee!!!

Franklin van Liempt, the initiator of the successful crowdfunding campaign to reissue the "Herinnering" album by Bonnie & José on CD/DVD, informed recently the fans about the long-awaited release.

The 2020 edition of Herinnering will come out on November 20th. Click here to know the complete tracklist of the CD and DVD.

* Special message to the people who took part in the crowdfunding campaign on the voordekunst.nl site:

Bonnie St Claire and José Hoebee signing copies of their CD/DVD

Next week the time has come! Then a copy of the CD/DVD ‘Herinnering’ by Bonnie & José will be delivered to you!

In the crowdfunding campaign, you had the option (for an extra donation) to request a signed copy. Last week, Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee happily provided stacks of copies with their names.

All packages are now ready for shipment. We enjoyed working on this project for over four years and wish you lots of listening and viewing pleasure!

Are you happy with it? Tell others! Do you know someone who would also like a copy? It can still be ordered at www.cd-licious.com/releases.

* Message posted on Facebook: 

Next week, all supporters of the crowdfunding campaign will receive the CD/DVD 'Herinnering' by Bonnie & José! Last week, Bonnie St. Claire and José Hoebee signed stacks of copies for those who made extra donations. All packages are now ready for shipment. Lots of listening and viewing pleasure! Do you know someone who would also like a copy? It can still be ordered via www.cd-licious.com/releases

Moreover, a special radio show to celebrate the reissue of the iconic album will be broadcast as part of the Maandag Middag Matinee program on Omroep Helmond on November 23rd between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm. Anton van Stekelenborg-Poirters will interview Franklin van Liempt about his ambitious project.

Source: Voordekunst.nl, Facebook (Franklin van Liempt, José Hoebee Fanpage, Herinnering - Bonnie & José)

Herinnering (2020 edition) by Bonnie & José: out on November 20th / images of the CD/DVD production plant!!

Herinnering (2020 edition) by Bonnie & José (including Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs) will be released by CD-Licious.com on November 20th. Click here to preorder a copy.

Two days ago, Franklin van Liempt posted an update about the reissue of the Herinnering on the Dutch crowdfunding site voordekunst.nl. His message was also posted on Facebook (including Official Luv', José Hoebee Fan Page and Herinnering - Bonnie & José):

This past week Profact International in Breda has been very busy manufacturing the CD and DVD by Bonnie & José. Because of the corona regulations, it was not possible to visit the production plant, but the people there were so kind to make videos of the process, especially for you as supporters of the crowdfunding campaign. Take a look at the wonderful process of how your own copy is being made. In about 2 weeks you will receive it in the mail!

Last week we announced the final bonus tracks on the CD/DVD set ‘Herinnering’ by Bonnie & José. Here is the complete tracklist of the CD and DVD:

CD:

Original album 'Herinnering':

1. Zoals Vrienden Doen (The Way Old Friends Do)
2. De Flierefluiter (The Piper)
3. Waarom (Move On) met/with Ron Brandsteder
4. Is ‘t Zo Bedoeld (I Let The Music Speak)
5. Chiquitita
6. Ligt Dat Aan Jou Of Aan Mij (Why Did It Have To Be Me)
7. Herinnering (Andante, Andante)
8. Zonder Hem (Soldiers)
9. Cassandra
10. Weet Wel Wat Je Doet (Lovers)
11. Een Man (One Man, One Woman)
12. Vriendschap (Arrival)

Bonus tracks:

• Hart voor een kind (I Have A Dream)
• Vandaag of Morgen (The Sun Will Be There Again)
• De Postkoets
• ’n Engel als jij (Engel Wie Du)

DVD:

TV special ‘Bonnie & José in Zweden’:

1. Chiquitita
2. Herinnering (Andante, Andante)
3. Ligt dat aan jou of aan mij (Why Did It Have To Be Me)
4. Zoals vrienden doen (The Way Old Friends Do)
5. De Flierefluiter (The Piper)

Bonus tracks:

• Cassandra
• Waarom (Move On) with Ron Brandsteder
• Hart voor een kind (I Have A Dream)

Source: Voordekunst.nl, Facebook (José Hoebee's Fan Page - Herinnering - Bonnie & José) 

José & Luv' in the "Spotlight" on Omroep Helmond

On his new radio show "Spotlight!" on Omroep Helmond, Anton van Stekelenburg-Poirters pays tribute to Dutch artists every Wednesday between 4.00 and 5.00 pm. Among the Dutch bands and singers whose music will be played on the radio show are José Hoebee and Luv'!!!

The December 30th,2020 broadcast will deal with José's music and on the January 13th, 2021 show Luv's songs will be part of the playlist. 

Source: Spotlight! (Facebook)

Reissue of "Herinnering" by Bonnie & José: 4 bonus tracks to appear on the CD and the release date announced!!!

Photo by Govert de Roos

Two days ago, Franklin van Liempt posted an update about the reissue of the Herinnering album by Bonnie St. Claire & José Hoebee on CD/DVD on the Dutch crowdfunding site voordekunst.nl and the "Herinnering" Facebook page:

"In the crowdfunding campaign in January we already announced that the CD ‘Herinnering’ would contain one bonus track… but which one? After the tremendous response to the campaign, with the extra funds, we were able to obtain the rights for more than just one bonus track!

Bonnie & José as a duo are mostly known for their wonderful recordings of ABBA songs in Dutch. To complete this overview of their successful collaborations, bonus tracks have been added which they also recorded as a duo. Solo recordings have been left out of the selection. The CD will contain no less than FOUR bonus tracks, of which three were never before available on CD.

* Hart voor een kind (I Have A Dream) _Never before released_

Last week this track was already announced as a bonus on the DVD. To complete the ABBA repertoire recorded by Bonnie & José, the audio of this television performance is added as a bonus to the CD.

* Vandaag of Morgen (The Sun Will Be There Again) - B-side of the single ‘Zoals Vrienden Doen’

For the B-side of ‘Zoals Vrienden Doen’, Bonnie & José recorded ‘Vandaag of Morgen' (Today or Tomorrow), a non-ABBA track written by Albert Hol, Ron Brandsteder and translated by Benny Neyman.

* De Postkoets - From the album ’14 Nooitgedachte Hoogtepunten Nederland Muziekland’

The program ‘Nederland Muziekland’ had an item ‘Nooitgedacht’, in which artists would sing a song, that was not part of their own repertoire. Bonnie & José sang ‘De Postkoets' (The Stagecoach), a hit by the Dutch duo De Selvera’s in 1957.

* ’n Engel Als Jij (Engel Wie Du) - Only released as a CD single

In 1995, after almost ten years, Bonnie & José went into the studio again to record ‘’n Engel als jij (An Angel Like You)’, a translation of a hit single in German by Juliane Werding, Viktor Lazlo and Maggie Reilly.

With these bonus tracks, the body of work which Bonnie & José released as a duo is brought together on one CD. This makes the track list of the CD and DVD complete. 'Herinnering' will be released on CD/DVD on Friday 20 November."

Source:  Voordekunst.nl, Facebook (José Hoebee's Fan Page, Herinnering - Bonnie & José)