STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - SANTA ESMERALDA - THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

[maggot]

Good morning faithful readers and welcome back to the Thursday edition of Stuck In The Vinyl Again. Today our record of choice is the sophomore release from French-American disco group, Santa Esmeralda. The House of the Rising Sun was released January 1978 on the Casablanca label and produced by Jean-Manuel de Scarano and Nicolas Skorsky. It peaked at #70 in Australia, #41 on the Hot 100, #32 in Canada, #24 in Germany, #12 in the Netherlands, #10 in Spain, #4 in Italy and Austria, and #3 in France. The title track (#78 Hot 100, #75 Australia, #52 France, #27 Germany, #20 Netherlands, #19 Spain, US Dance, #13 Austria) is a cover of the traditional folk song sometimes known as "Rising Sun Blues", covered by many but made most famous by The Animals. 

Santa Esmeralda was formed in 1977 by French producers Nicolas Skorsky and Jean Manuel de Scarano who recruited the members in order to record their compositions. The outfit was originally fronted by Leroy Gómez but he was replaced with Jimmy Goings for the second record. Goings would continue with the band until 1983. Later in the 90s Gomez rejoined the group. In all they released 8 studio albums with the last, Lay Down My Love, being released in 2002.

Their sound is interesting and can be described as disco meets flamenco meets Latin pop. 

A1 The House Of The Rising Sun
Written-By – Alan Price
4:13

A2 Quasimodo Suite
Written-By – J.C. Petit, J.M. de Scarano, N. Skorsky
10:42

B1 Dance You Down Tonight
Written-By – J.M. de Scarano*, N. Skorsky, S. Nelson
7:07

B2 Nothing Else Matters
Written-By – C.J. Ellis, J.M. de Scarano, N. Skorsky
6:32

B3 Hey! Gip
Written-By – Donovan
3:22

Arranged By [Brass And String Arrangements] – C. Padovan (tracks: B1 to B3), J.C. Petit (tracks: A1, A2), J. Souc* (tracks: B1 to B3)

Art Direction – Gribbitt!, Stephen Lumel

Design Concept – C. Caumon, Presence Conseil

Engineer [Sound, Assisted By] – H. Hochet, J.L. Labro

Engineer [Sound] – D. Poncet, H. Lousteau

Mastered By – Brian Gardner

Photography By – P. Girardot

Producer – Jean-Manuel de Scarano, Nicolas Skorsky

Vocals – Jimmy Goings