Die neue Marlene

Die neue Marlene
Studio album by
Marlene Dietrich
Released1965
RecordedSeptember 1964
GenreTraditional pop
Length38:13
LabelElectrola
Marlene Dietrich chronology
Wiedersehen mit Marlene
(1960) 		Die neue Marlene
(1965) 		Marlene singt Berlin, Berlin
(1965)
Singles from Die neue Marlene

Die neue Marlene is a studio album by Marlene Dietrich, released by Electrola in 1965. It was issued in the UK on His Master's Voice and released in the US by Capitol Records under the title Marlene — Songs in German by the Inimitable Dietrich. Recorded in London, the project marked a departure from her previous work, featuring a repertoire of German-language songs that included folk adaptations like "Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind" and new material such as her first Christmas song. Notably, the album was largely arranged without her frequent collaborator Burt Bacharach, signaling a new artistic direction that inspired its title, which translates to "The New Marlene".

The album's release was preceded by controversy, as the German label Electrola promoted it by publicly announcing Dietrich's 60th birthday, suggesting "life begins at 60." Dietrich herself was dissatisfied with the initial artwork and liner notes, which contained several errors regarding song credits and attributions. While she requested the album be withdrawn, her contractual terms did not grant her final approval over the sleeve design, though a modified version was later issued.

Critical reception for the album was generally positive. Reviews from publications like Billboard and Cashbox praised Dietrich's compelling vocal delivery and the versatile selection of material, noting her ability to convey emotion despite the language barrier for some listeners. The album was highlighted as a refreshing and captivating entry in her extensive recording career.

Commercially, the album achieved moderate success, peaking at number 34 on the German charts and remaining listed for two weeks. However, its associated singles performed strongly in Europe years prior; "Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind" became a major hit, reaching number 20 in Germany, number 2 in Denmark, and number 10 in the Netherlands.

Production and recording

In September 1964, Marlene Dietrich traveled to London to record nine songs for a new album initially titled Sag mir wo die Blumen sind. The album was recorded between 6 and 8 September 1964 in London. The repertoire included several chansons she had already performed in London, a new composition by Mischa Spoliansky titled "Auf der Mundharmonika", and her first Christmas song, "Der kleine trommelmann", a German adaptation of "The Little Drummer Boy". Unlike her earlier studio releases, most of these tracks were not arranged by Burt Bacharach, with whom she had frequently collaborated in the past. At the last minute, Dietrich requested that the project be renamed Die neue Marlene (The New Marlene). According to her biographer David Bret, the decision reflected the changes in her artistic approach at the time, as well as her wish to present a refreshed image to the public.[1]

The recording sessions in London also coincided with Dietrich's engagement at the Queen's Theatre, which opened on 23 November 1964. This was her last major season with Burt Bacharach as accompanist and conductor. The final concert of the run, on 12 December 1964, was recorded and later issued as the live album Dietrich in London, distinct from the studio project Die neue Marlene.[2]

Release and artwork

In March 1965, Billboard reported that Electrola, Dietrich's German record label, was accused of "unchivalrous conduct" in its promotion of her new album Die neue Marlene. The label sparked controversy by launching the album with the bold statement: "Marlene Dietrich has just turned 60 years old," suggesting that the album aimed to prove that "for Marlene, life begins at 60."[3] The US edition was listed in Billboard's monthly "New Releases" schedule, appearing in the issue dated June 12, 1965.[4]

After its release, Dietrich expressed dissatisfaction with the first edition of the record and requested that it be withdrawn from the market due to several errors on the back cover. Among the mistakes were missing or incorrect songwriting credits, the title of "Sch, kleines Baby" printed as "Scht, kleines Baby", and "Mutter, hast du mir vergeben?" printed as "Mutter, kannst du mir vergeben?". The singer also criticized the artwork. She disliked the cover painting, describing it as resembling a "Dragon Lady", and objected to the use of a signed photograph of Ernest Hemingway on the back cover. She was angered that the essay Marlene Dietrich has three D's was attributed to Cecil Beaton instead of its actual author Kenneth Tynan. Additionally, she claimed ownership of the photographs reproduced on the back cover and stated that they were used without her permission, and also contested the misidentification of a uniform as being designed by Christian Dior. Electrola later modified the back cover, correcting the song credits and replacing the imagery with a still from The Monte Carlo Story, although Dietrich again voiced disapproval. However, she did not hold the contractual right of final approval over the sleeve design.[5]

Singles

The single "Sag Mir, Wo Die Blumen Sind" was released in 1962. The UK music weekly Record Mirror published a highly favourable review. It praised Dietrich's performance, noting that while she delivered it in her "curious, staccato style," she nonetheless managed to extract "the maximum warmth and emotion" from the song. The reviewer predicted it might not be a "noticeably big seller" but highly recommended it for her fans.[6] It entered the German singles chart on November 1st of that year, reaching a peak position of number 20 and remaining on the chart for eight weeks. The song also charted internationally, peaking at number 10 in the Netherlands for a four-week run[7] and reaching number 2 in Denmark.[8] According to Billboard, it was the first time since Marlene's Blue Angel records that she has had record sales like these in Germany.[9] Dietrich was awarded the "Golden Edison Prize" in Holland for the best record of the year.[10]

The single "Die Antwort Weiß Ganz Allein Der Wind" entered the German singles chart on January 1st, 1964.[11] It reached a peak position of number 32 and remained on the chart for one week.[12] The song "Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind" was its B-side.[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStar[14]
Record MirrorStarStarStar[15]

In its "Pop Spotlight" column, Billboard highly praises the album highlighting that despite the entire repertoire being sung in German, the artist perfectly conveys the message of the songs through her warm, intimate, and distinctive vocal delivery. The review emphasizes the versatility of the material, which ranges from the plaintive "The Little Drummer Boy" to the vibrant Mersey-beat rhythm of "Theme for Young Lovers" and the folk song "Puff, the Magic Dragon". The final verdict is that Dietrich is "compelling and exciting throughout", attesting to the power and charisma of her performance that transcend any language barrier.[16]

Cash Box hails Dietrich's album as "one of her best recorded outings thus far," crediting her legendary status from both her cinematic roles and her expressive singing. The review notes that the album refreshingly combines well-known American tunes set to German lyrics with a selection of traditional German ("Gothic") numbers. The publication highlights "Puff The Magic Dragon" and "Und Wenn Er Wiederkommt" (And When He Returns) as the album's standout tracks.[17]

In a 1965 review, The Age observed that while Marlene Dietrich had "swiftly come and gone", her music lived on through her recordings, including the EMI album Die neue Marlene', which the newspaper highlighted as part of the preservation of her melodic legacy.[18] In a review for The Glasgow Herald in 1965, A.D.H. praised the album, remarking that "there never was such a thing as an old Marlene". The critic highlighted the album's twelve German-language songs, describing them as a blend of softness and her characteristic "magical guttural" tone. Performances of "Ein Mann ist ein Mann", "Puff, the Magic Dragon", and a German version of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" were singled out as "totally captivating".[19]

Commercial performance

The album entered the German album chart on April 15th, 1965, and reached a peak position of number 34.[20] It remained on the chart for a total of two weeks.[21]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Wenn die Soldaten"Rob Pronk / Traditional2:59
2."Die Antwort weiß ganz allein der Wind"Bob Dylan3:56
3."In Den Kasernen"Hertha Koch / Philippe-Gérard3:11
4."Und wenn er wiederkommt"Maurice Maeterlinck / Max Colpet / Gérard3:01
5."Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind"Colpet / Pete Seeger3:34
6."Auf der Mundharmonika"Mischa Spoliansky / Robert Gilbert2:28
Total length:19:09
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Der Trommelmann"Harry Simeone / K.K. Davis / Henry Onoratir2:41
8."Wenn der sommer wieder einzieht"Dick Robertson / Frank Weldon / James Cavanaugh / Lothar Metzl3:02
9."Ich werde dich lieben"Bruce Welch / Marlene Dietrich2:46
10."Paff, der Zauberdrachen"Fred Oldörp / Leonard Lipton / Peter Yarrow4:06
11."Sch, kleines Baby"Arthur Siegel / Don Costa / Dietrich2:29
12."Mutter, hast du mir vergeben"Czesław Niemen / Jacek Grań / Dietrich4:00
Total length:19:04

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[22]

  • Arthur Siegel – arranger
  • Bob Dylan – composer
  • Bruce Welch – composer
  • Burt Bacharach – conductor, producer, recording arranger
  • Czesław Niemen – composer
  • Dick Robertson – composer
  • Domenick Costa – arranger
  • Eric Rogers – conductor, recording arranger
  • Frank Weldon – composer
  • Hans Bradtke – translation
  • Harry Simeone – arranger
  • Henry Onorati – arranger
  • James Cavanaugh – composer
  • Katherine Davis – arranger
  • Leonard Lipton – composer
  • Marlene Dietrich – primary artist, vocals
  • Mischa Spoliansky – composer
  • Otto Demler – producer
  • Pete Seeger – composer
  • Peter Yarrow – composer
  • Philippe Gérard – composer
  • Rob Pronk – arranger, conductor, recording arranger
  • Traditional – composer
  • Wally Stott – conductor, recording arranger

Charts

Weekly chart for Die neue Marlene
Chart (1965) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] 34

See also

References

  1. ^ Bret 1993, p. 277.
  2. ^ Bret 1993, p. 278.
  3. ^ "News from the music capitals of the world" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 77, no. 10. March 6, 1965. p. 18. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  4. ^ "New album releases" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 77, no. 24. June 12, 1965. p. 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  5. ^ Sudendor, Werner (2005). "Authorized Albums". Sounds Like Marlene. Archived from the original on March 6, 2005. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  6. ^ "Top 20 Tip: Marlene Dietrich" (PDF). Record Mirror. No. 127. August 17, 1963. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Marlene Dietrich - Sag mir wo die Blumen sind". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 75, no. 28. July 13, 1963. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  9. ^ Jungermann, Jimmy (November 3, 1962). "Dietrich a Neat Trick Once More" (PDF). Billboard. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  10. ^ "GERMANY - The Past 12 Months" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XXV, no. 49. August 15, 1964. p. 45. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  11. ^ "GfK Chart Detail". www.offiziellecharts.de. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Marlene Dietrich - Die Antwort weiß ganz allein der Wind (Song)". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  13. ^ Steven Bach (1992). Marlene Dietrich: Life and Legend – Discography. U of Minnesota Press. pp. 526–. ISBN 978-1-4529-2997-2.
  14. ^ Larkin, Colin The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press, 2011, p.2006.
  15. ^ Jones, Peter; Jopling, Norman (7 August 1965). "Marlene Dietrich: Die Neue Marlene" (PDF). Record Mirror. No. 230. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 77, no. 26. The Billboard Publishing Company. June 26, 1965. p. 60. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XXVI, no. 51. July 10, 1965. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Mystique". The Age: 4. October 28, 1965. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  19. ^ "Musical Humour Across the Atlantic". The Glasgow Herald (186): 7. August 31, 1965. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – "Marlene Dietrich – Die neue Marlene"". GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  21. ^ "Marlene Dietrich - Die neue Marlene". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  22. ^ Die neue Marlene at AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2025.

Bibliography

  • Bret, David (1993). Marlene Dietrich, My Friend: An Intimate Biography (Large Print (2001) ed.). London: Robson Books. ISBN 0753196263.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_neue_Marlene