I Am A Photograph is the debut album

Album

An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...

 by French

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 singer Amanda Lear

Amanda Lear

Amanda Lear is a French singer, lyricist, composer, painter, TV presenter, actress and novelist....

, released in April 1977 by West German label Ariola Records

Ariola Records

Ariola Records is a German record label. As of the late 1980s, it was a subsidiary label of BMG which in turn has since become a part of the international media conglomerate Sony Music Entertainment...

. It contains the European hit singles "La Bagarre" (1975), "Blood and Honey" (1976), "Tomorrow", "Alphabet" and "Blue Tango." Later editions of the album also feature the single "Queen Of Chinatown" and then replaced "La Bagarre" or "She's Got the Devil In Her Eyes."

In Allmusic's review of the album Michael Freedberg writes: "Lear, previously known as a Roxy Music album cover model and a protégé of Salvador Dali, appears here as a cabaret countess. She enunciates sexually naughty suggestions in a smoke-and-velvet rasp. Her best subversions hit a dancer's most salacious fantasies dead on. Most of these songs support their studied lewdness with absurdly different music, creating tangible friction (e.g., "Alligator" — funk bottom, frothy violins on top) that makes Lear's tape-loop voice feel even naughtier. All of Lear's tempos assault disco norms, either as sleaze or ultra-fast high-energy. An album not to be missed."

The rights to the Ariola-Eurodisc back catalogue are currently held by Sony BMG Music Entertainment

Sony BMG Music Entertainment

Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...

. I Am a Photograph was released as a mid-priced compilation CD combined with 1978's Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge (Amanda Lear album)

Sweet Revenge is the second studio album by French singer Amanda Lear, released in February, 1978 by West German label Ariola-Eurodisc. The album contained European hit singles "Follow Me", "Enigma ", "Gold" and "Run Baby Run"...

or 1981's Incognito

Incognito (Amanda Lear album)

Incognito is the fifth studio album by French singer Amanda Lear, released in March, 1981 by West German label Ariola-Eurodisc. The album contains singles "Nymphomania", "Hollywood Is Just A Dream When You're Seventeen", "Love Amnesia", "Red Tape", "New York" and "Égal". Just like 1978's Sweet...

in Russia in 2001, but remains unreleased on compact disc in the rest of the world.

Side A

1. "Blood And Honey" (Anthony Monn
   Anthony Monn
   Anthony Monn a.k.a. Tony Monn is a German singer, composer, and record producer.Monn started his career as a singer in the German schlager genre in the early 1970s...
   
   , Amanda Lear) - 4:50
2. "Alphabet (Prelude In C By J.S. Bach)" (a.k.a. "My Alphabet") (Johann Sebastian Bach
   Johann Sebastian Bach
   Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
   
   , Charly Ricanek, Anthony Monn, Amanda Lear) - 4:00
3. "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
   These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
   Jessica Simpson recorded her own version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" for the soundtrack to the film The Dukes of Hazzard . Simpson's cover was co-produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005)...
   
   " (Lee Hazlewood
   Lee Hazlewood
   Lee Hazlewood , born Barton Lee Hazlewood was an American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer, most widely known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy during the late 1950s and singer Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.Hazlewood had a distinctive baritone voice that added an ominous...
   
   ) - 3:18
4. "Tomorrow" (Rainer Pietsch, Amanda Lear) - 4:10
5. "Pretty Boys" (Anthony Monn, Amanda Lear) - 2:55

Side B

1. "Alligator" (Rainer Pietsch, Amanda Lear) - 4:35
2. "The Lady In Black" (Anthony Monn, Amanda Lear) - 3:30
3. "I Am A Photograph" (Anthony Monn, Amanda Lear) - 4:21
4. "La Bagarre" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
   Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
   Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
   
   ) - 3:27
5. "Blue Tango
   Blue Tango
   "Blue Tango" is an instrumental composition by Leroy Anderson. it was later turned into a popular song with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. It was published in 1952...
   
   " (Leroy Anderson
   Leroy Anderson
   Leroy Anderson was an American composer of short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler...
   
   , Amanda Lear) - 2:40

Personnel

• Amanda Lear
  Amanda Lear
  Amanda Lear is a French singer, lyricist, composer, painter, TV presenter, actress and novelist....
  
   - lead vocals
• Claudia Schwarz - backing vocals
• Gitta Walther - backing vocals
• Renate Maurer - backing vocals
• Gary Unwin - bass guitar
  Bass guitar
  The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
  
  
• Martin Harrison - drums
• Mats Björklund - guitar
  Guitar
  The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
  
  
• Giuseppe Solera - horn
  Horn (instrument)
  The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
  
  s
• Hermann Breuer - horns
• Howard Katz - horns
• Lee Harper - horns
• Paul Niezgoda - horns
• Rudi Fuessers - horns
• Charly Ricanek - keyboards
  Keyboard instrument
  A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
  
  
• Harold Faltermeyer
  Harold Faltermeyer
  Harold Faltermeyer is a German musician, keyboardist, composer and record producer.He is recognized as one of the composers/producers who best captured the zeitgeist of 1980s synth-pop in film scores...
  
   - keyboards, synthesizer
  Synthesizer
  A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
  
   (Moog)
• Pit Troja - percussion
• Bavarian Strings - strings
  String instrument
  A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
  
  

Production

• Anthony Monn
  Anthony Monn
  Anthony Monn a.k.a. Tony Monn is a German singer, composer, and record producer.Monn started his career as a singer in the German schlager genre in the early 1970s...
  
   - record producer
  Record producer
  A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
  
  , musical arranger
• Charly Ricanek - musical arranger (tracks: A1, A2, A5, B1, B4)
• Peter Lüdemann - sound engineer
• Recorded at Ariola & Arco Studios, Munich
• Album cover design: Ariola-Eurodisc Studios

Release history

• 1977 West Germany #1, Ariola-Eurodisc 28866 OT.

• 1977 West Germany #2, Ariola-Eurodisc 25 473 OT: original album cover, alternate tracklisting;

B4. "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ("Blood And Honey" Instrumental) (Anthony Monn - Amanda Lear) - 3:05

• 1977 West Germany #3, Ariola-Eurodisc 25 473 OT): original album cover, alternate tracklisting;

Side B

1. "Queen Of Chinatown" (Anthony Monn - Amanda Lear) - 4:15
2. "Alligator"
3. "The Lady In Black"
4. "I Am A Photograph"
5. "Blue Tango"

• 1977 West Germany #4, Ariola-Eurodisc 25 473 OT. West Germany #5 Ariola-Eurodisc 665876, West Germany #6 Ariola-Eurodisc 67699 0 (Cassette),Greece Epic EPC 82940 & Yugoslavia RTB 5730: same tracklisting as edition #3, new Playboy album cover, free poster included (German pressings only) and revised liner notes: "Album cover design: Ariola-Eurodisc Studios. / Cover photo by Christa Peters. Copyright by Playboy Magazine, West-Germany".

• 1977 Italy: Polydor 2448 058 & France; Eurodisc 28070; same tracklisting as edition #2, alternate Playboy album cover.

• 1977 USA: Chrysalis CHR 1173; Playboy album cover, alternate tracklisting;

1. "Blood And Honey" (Alternate Extended 12" Version) - 7:14
2. "Alphabet (Prelude In C By J.S. Bach)"
3. "Tomorrow"
4. "Pretty Boys"

Side B

1. "Alligator"
2. "The Lady In Black"
3. "I Am A Photograph"
4. "La Bagarre"
5. "Blue Tango"

• 1978 East Germany (DDR): Ariola Eurodisc 200 006 320; "Playboy" album cover, alternate tracklisting:

Side B

1. "Mother, Look What They've Done To Me" (A. Monn - A. Lear) - 4:25 (Taken from 1978 album Sweet Revenge
   Sweet Revenge (Amanda Lear album)
   Sweet Revenge is the second studio album by French singer Amanda Lear, released in February, 1978 by West German label Ariola-Eurodisc. The album contained European hit singles "Follow Me", "Enigma ", "Gold" and "Run Baby Run"...
   
   )
2. "Alligator"
3. "The Lady In Black"
4. "I Am A Photograph"
5. "Blue Tango"

• 1978 Zimbabwe & South Africa: Pretty Boys Ariola ARC 2022; alternate album title, West German edition #1 track listing, alternate album cover with photos from Sweet Revenge inner sleeve.
• 1978 Brazil: Tomorrow RCA-Victor 104 8097; Playboy album cover , alternate album title and tracklisting:

Side A

1. "Tomorrow"
2. "Alphabet (Prelude In C By J.S. Bach)"
3. "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'"
4. "Blood And Honey"
5. "Pretty Boys"

Side B

1. "Queen Of Chinatown"
2. "Alligator"
3. "The Lady In Black"
4. "I Am A Photograph"
5. "Blue Tango"

• 1979 Argentina: Soy Una Fotografia RCA 4748.

• 1979 South Africa: Golden Hits Ariola ARD 2501, double album; disc 1 I Am A Photograph #1, disc 2 Sweet Revenge.

Charts

Country	Position
Austria	25
Germany	26

7"

• 1975: "Trouble" (Original English version of "La Bagarre") ** / "Lethal Leading Lady" (LaBionda - Lear - Malachy) - 2:50 ** (UK, Creole CR 123)
• 1975: "La Bagarre" / "Lethal Leading Lady" ** (France, Polydor 2056 457)
• 1976: "La Bagarre" / "Lethal Leading Lady" ** (Belgium, Polydor 2056 457)
• 1976: "La Bagarre" / "Lethal Leading Lady" ** (West Germany, Ariola 16696AT)
• 1976: "Trouble" ** / "Lethal Leading Lady" ** (Spain, Ariola 16696AT)
• 1976: "Trouble" ** / "Lethal Leading Lady" ** (Italy, Polydor 2121 290)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (West Germany, Ariola 17470 AT)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" (Edit) - 3:10 ** / "Blood And Honey" (Album Version) (UK, Ariola ARO 103)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (Spain, Ariola 17470 AT)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (Italy, Polydor 2060 133)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (Yugoslavia, RTB S-54002)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (Australia, RCA Victor 102 943)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (France, Eurodisc 911 088 EA)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (South Africa, Ariola ARS 201)
• 1976: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (Canada, Disques Direction Records D4-127)
• 1977: "Blood And Honey" / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (New Zealand, RCA Victor 102943)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "Alphabet (Prelude In C By J.S. Bach)" (West Germany, Ariola)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "Mon Alphabet" ("Alphabet" - French version) ** (France, WEA Wea 911144)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "Mon Alphabet" ("Alphabet" - French version) ** (France, Eurodisc 17295)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "The Lady In Black" (Italy, Polydor 2060 145)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "Alfabeto" ("Alphabet" - Italian Version) ** (Italy, Polydor)
• 1977: "Blue Tango" / "Pretty Boys" (Netherlands, Ariola 11 311 AT)
• 1977: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "My Alphabet" (West Germany, Ariola 11 366 AT)
• 1977: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "Alphabet (Prelude In C By J.S. Bach)" (France, Eurodisc 11366 AT)
• 1977: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "Alphabet" (Italy, Polydor 2060 150)
• 1977: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "Alphabet" (Turkey, Sonora 1024)
• 1977: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "Pretty Boys" (West Germany, Ariola)
• 1977: "Alphabet" / "Queen Of Chinatown" (Netherlands, Ariola 11 661 AT)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "Queen Of Chinatown" (Portugal, Ariola 5011-446)
• 1977: "Tomorrow" / "Queen Of Chinatown" (Spain, Ariola 11446)
• 1978: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "Blood And Honey" (USSR, Кругозор 12(177))
• 1978: "Queen Of Chinatown" / "The Lady In Black" (Japan, Columbia Ariola YK-103-K)
• 1978: "Tomorrow" / "Pretty Boys" (Japan, Columbia Ariola YK-107-K)
• 1978: "Blue Tango" / "Blood And Honey" (USSR, Кругозор 12(177))
• * Non-album track
• ** Non-album version

12"

• 1977: "Blood And Honey" (Extended 12" Version) - 8:58 ** / "She's Got The Devil In Her Eyes" ** (Canada, Disques Direction Records DD-8009)
• 1977: "Blood And Honey" (Extended 12" Version) - 8:58 ** / "Blood And Honey" (Album Version) (UK, Ariola ARO 103-12)
• 1977: "Blood And Honey" (Extended 12" Version) - 8:58 ** / "Blood And Honey" (Album Version) (Australia, RCA ARO 103-12)
• 1977: "Blood And Honey" (Alternate Extended Version) - 7:14 ** / "Blood And Honey" (Alternate Extended Version) - 7:14 ** (US, Chrysalis CDS 2197)
• 2006: "Queen Of Chinatown 2006" - DJenetix Feat. Amanda Lear - Remixes of original 1977 recording: (Single Version) ** / (Club Remix) ** / (Extended Mix) ** (Germany, ZYX/Dance Street DST 77013-12)
• * Non-album track
• ** Non-album version

CD

• 1998: "Blood And Honey '98" - Remixes of original 1976 recording: "Blood And Honey" (New Radio Version) ** / "Blood And Honey" (Club Mix)** / "Rien Ne Va Plus" (1995 recording from album Alter Ego
  Alter Ego (Amanda Lear album)
  Alter Ego is the eleventh studio album by French singer Amanda Lear, first released in Germany on November 21, 1995 on label ZYX Music. This album, like other several predecessors, was a commercial failure and failed to chart.- Album information :...
  
  ) (Germany, BMG Ariola 74321 59995 2)
• 2006: "Queen Of Chinatown 2006" - DJenetix Feat. Amanda Lear - Remixes of original 1977 recording: (Single Version) ** / (Club Remix) ** / (Extended Mix) ** (Germany, ZYX/Dance Street DST 77013-8)
• * Non-album track
• ** Non-album version

Russian "compilation" CD's

NB: Sound quality: vinyl.

• 2001: I Am A Photograph / Sweet Revenge, CD Maximum 0103-1076, Russia.
• 2001: I Am A Photograph / Incognito, CD Maximum, Russia.

Sources and external links

• [ Allmusic, Amanda Lear discography.]
• Discogs.com., Amanda Lear discography.
• Rate Your Music, Amanda Lear discography.