Aside from the Morricone Dollar single releases, Wand'rin'
Star / I Talk to the Trees is arguably the most successful vinyl release among
Eastwood related records. "Wand'rin' Star" was a number one single in
the UK and Ireland for Lee Marvin for three weeks in March 1970. Although
rather strangely, the 7” UK record release was one of the very few not to
feature a full picture sleeve cover? A huge amount of releases from around the
world all seemed to benefit from a different picture sleeve, apart from the
generic Paramount sleeve that UK record buyers had to settle for. It’s always
puzzled me as to why. I thought I would take this opportunity to present some
of the many designs for this single release. I have spent some time in
digitally restoring these sleeves, in order to display them at their best and
as they would of appeared back in their day. First, a little history and background
on the tracks.
Wand'rin' Star was originally written by Alan J. Lerner
(lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) for the stage musical in 1951. When the
film of the musical was made in 1969, Lee Marvin took the role of prospector
Ben Rumson. Not a natural singer, Marvin nevertheless sang all of his songs in
the film, rejecting the idea of miming to another singer's voice. Despite the
film being a box office flop, the soundtrack became a success. Orchestrated and
arranged by Nelson Riddle, Marvin's version of the song "Wand'rin Star"
became a number-one single in Ireland and the UK and earned him a Gold Record.
It also kept The Beatles at number two in the UK with their single "Let It
Be". Marvin never released a follow-up single which resulted in him being recognised
as a one-hit wonder.
In most instances, Clint Eastwood’s I talk to the trees was
featured on the B side; however, this did vary on a couple of releases.
Below: The UK single release which did not come in a picture
sleeve.
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