Her saga is, or at least was, well known. About a Catholic nun - Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers - who in the early sixties succeeded to get a #1 on Billboard and topping other lists all over the world. One of the most unexpected success stories, but as it turned out also a very sad one. After being encouraged by the abbess in the Belgian monastary where she lived she recorded a couple of her self-penned songs on an album to be used as a gift for visitors of the congregation. One of the songs - "Dominique" - got air play and soon spread to be a world wide hit. However she didn't get much royalties from it, which instead was shared by Philips label and the congregation, and non of the follow-ups sold well. She left the convent 1966 and went on to live with an admirer - Annie Pécher - with whom she developed a lesbian relationship. In 1967 she released a pro-contraceptive song - "Glory Be To God For The Golden Pill" - which resulted in a clash with the Catholic Church and cancelled concerts. Then after many years of artistic and finacial failure coupled with partly frosty relation to the church, she and Annie Pécher committed suicide in March 1985 - she aged 51 and Pécher 40. If you heard "Dominique" you know how this LP comes out as reflecting her early monastary years. Positive songs with religious motifs, sparsely arranged and some of it surprisingly catchy. She has a very nice voice - clean and secure, yet emotional and personal. Backing vocals probably by fellow nuns. Audio on this early 10 inch is superb - direct and natural. As far from rock'n'roll as you can get, but still in a strange way pleasing. This was also issued in Italy (black label, same number). A twelve track variation called "The Singing Nun" issued 1963 in US and a couple of other countries. 1998 US CD on Collector's Choice Music (DPCM 5295). Premiere (?) French had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (MFÄX*) (FÄV*) (SYSÖ*) (GZÅ*)
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