Monja - Cry'n Strings - Instrumental Guitar Cover by Kjell Christensen

Guitar Used: Burns Marquee

"Monja", the original was released from the "Cry'n Strings" in 1967, a relatively unknown band from Hauenstein, Germany. Gerhard Jäger, the guitarist in the band, composed the song. However, there have been many cover versions over the years. The best known is by Roland W. The Cry'n Strings had the title pressed as a promotional song at the Kersten Records label on single LP. 1000 pieces - paid out of your own pocket!
The producer of Kerston Records, Mr. Kersten, recognized the potential of the song and asked Gerhard Jäger whether he could be registered as a co-owner against payment of a certain amount. The Cry'n Strings, who were happy for every mark, agreed for an “apple and an egg” and Mr. Kersten was registered as a co-composer under the pseudonym Dal Finado (although, as I said, only Gerhard Jäger had composed, it worked only for payment). As Mr. Kersten had suspected, Monja was a complete success. The radio stations played it up and down and soon the cry'n strings were in the charts and, as far as I know, made it to number 11. Then came the disaster: the records were almost sold out and little Kersten Records was with the Replenishment production completely overwhelmed. Mr. Kersten alias Dal Finado used this to engage disc jockey Roland Wächtler (Roland W.) and to record a cover version for the hardly larger Cornet label. Cornet could deliver - Kersten Records couldn't. People went to the record stores, asked for "Monja" - and got Roland W. So it was only a matter of time before Roland W. overtook the Cry'n strings in the charts and made it to number 3 in Germany, while the original Monja disappeared from the charts due to lack of availability. Soon, most of Monja became associated with Roland W. and hardly anyone remembered the original from Hauenstein. The original was licensed to the Vogue label much too late. Now it could be delivered again, but the time of the Monja was over. The Cry'n Strings tried to ride on the "Monja wave" with connecting songs, but as is usually the case, without success. Gerhard Jäger was understandably very frustrated, he once said in an interview "Everyone made money with Monja, only we didn't!" Overall, he said that the Cry'n Strings made about DM 10,000 to Monja - although the song made millions were. The original is still difficult to come by today - the single LP of that time is of course no longer produced, it is often auctioned on eBay as used goods at the highest prices. However, there is currently a sampler that contains the original - it is called "Beat im Süd". The B side of the single LP - Bubidubidu - is also on this sampler.

Other versions are recorded among others by: Ted Power, Calimeros, Paul Muriat (Monia), Peter Holm (Monia)

Source: gutefrage ++

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