Lots of Luv': 40th anniversary

Luv's second album, entitled "Lots of Luv'", was released forty years ago in May 1979. This masterpiece of pop music included the hit singles "Casanova" and "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe". Here's the story of this iconic LP.

History

In the second half of 1978, Luv' became a household name in Benelux, German-speaking countries, Denmark and South Africa thanks to the success of hit records like "You're the Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse" and the "With Luv'" album. 

1979 started in a good way for the ladies. Their single entitled "Casanova" became another Continental European smash hit (see article posted on April 25th, 1979). 

Luv' not only interested radio stations and TV channels but also attracted the tabloid press. Holland's most read newspaper, De Telegraaf, often tracked their every move and paid attention to their love lives. At the time, Patty Brard dated quizmaster Ron Brandsteder and José van de Wijdeven broke up with her first husband, Marteen Andreoli. 

Ron & Patty at a showbiz party in honor of French crooner Charles Aznavour - De Telegraaf, May 10th, 1979

De Telegraaf - May 17th, 1979

De Telegraaf - May 22nd, 1979

Despite sensationalist articles in the press, the girls carried on with their activities, including the launch of their second album entitled "Lots of Luv'". Luv's producers and songwriters Hans van Hemert and Piet Souer had high expectations for this record. They achieved a real tour de force. Their winning formula: catchy songs with ABBA-esque arrangements (Money Honey), melodies influenced by Boney M. (Eeny Meeny Miny Moe), disco music (Saint Tropez, Shoes off), Spanish/Latin American music (Casanova, Marcellino), Europop (I.M.U.R, In The Night Of Love), neo bubblegum pop (I like sugar candy kisses) and sounds inspired by the light-hearted retro music from the 1960s (Dandy). 

Ad published in the press to promote "Lots of Luv'"

Photography

Claude Vanheye (who photographed the Who's who of Dutch and international pop-rock artists) took two beautiful pictures for the album cover. The front cover photo showed the ladies as sexy cowgirls. On the back cover, they posed in sailor suits beside a shirtless marine flexing his muscles. 

Release and distribution

On May 15th, 1979, the release party of "Lots Of Luv'" took place at the Lido Club in Amsterdam. It coincided with great news: during the event, Actor Rijk de Gooyer gave the three Luv' singers platinum awards to celebrate the good sales of "You're Greatest Lover" and "Trojan Horse". 

The press published articles about this flamboyant party.

Het Vrije Volk - May 16th, 1979

De Waarheid - May 17th, 1979

Lots of Luv' came out in various editions.  

To know details about the release of this album: click here

Tracklisting

Lots of Luv' - 12-inch LP vinyl record and cassette - released in May 1979 by Phonogram/Philips Records

A Side:

• "Casanova" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:48
• "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:46
• "DJ" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:20
• "Shoes Off (Boots On)" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:07
• "Marcellino" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:14
• "Dandy" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:46

B Side:

• "The Night Of Love" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:32
• "Money, Honey" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:16
• "I.M.U.R" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:35
• "I Like Sugar Candy Kisses" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:34
• "If You Love Me" (Janschen & Janschens) - 2:34
• "Saint Tropez" (Janschen & Janschens) - 3:04

 

Back cover of Lots of Luv'

Album credits

Luv'

José Hoebee - vocals

Marga Scheide - vocals

Patty Brard - vocals

Additional personnel:

Ernö Olah & Metropole Orkest - strings

Production

Producer: Hans van Hemert

Arranger/conductor: Piet Souer

Photography: Claude Vanheye

Design: Jan H. van Uden

Art Direction: Clouds Studio

Japanese edition

Reissue 

In 2006, the album was digitally remastered by Universal Music as part of the "Completely In Luv'" CD box set with the same track listing and four bonus tracks:

• "Trojan Horse" (Janschen & Janschens) – 3:24
• "Casanova" (Spanish version) (Alfred Garrido, Janschen & Janschens) – 3:49
• "Luv' Hitpack" (Janschen & Janschens) – 5:29                                                      

Long version: 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

• "All You Need Is Luv' Jingle" (Janschen & Janschens) – 0:12

Commercial response and chart performance 

As a manufactured pop group which targeted youngsters, Luv' were more successful on the singles charts than on the albums charts. Indeed, 7" singles were popular among teenagers in the 1970s. Lots of Luv' entered the Dutch charts on May 26th, 1979. It later peaked at #7 on the LP Top 50 and #4 on the Nationale Hitparade Top 50 in the Netherlands, #6 on the Belgian albums chart (Billboard Benelux), #13 on the Austrian Alben Top 25, #11 on the Swiss Musikmarkt album chart and #8 on the Danish chart (BT Hitlisten). The LP reached the 39th position in Germany. The album eventually turned gold and platinum in Holland (100.000 copies).

Click here to read a review of the LP on the Bubblegum University website.

Bibliography:
Albumdossier 1969-1972 by Johan van Slooten, publ: Becht's Uitgevers

Source: Wikipedia, Delpher.nl, Discogs.com, Dutchcharts.nl, Austriancharts.nl, Charts.de, Krant van Toen...