Oh Canada: Coeur de remix

Coeur de Pirate on the dancefloor? Why not? Ofcourse, you need Canadian bleepgeeks Le Matos to add some serious bass, synths and fx, but then you have a track that matches that great Keenhouse-remix of Division Kent, or the Benjamin Diamond-rebuild of Elodie Frégé. Anyhoo, turn on that mirrorball, move away the furniture and D.A.N.C.E.
See original version HERE.

Coeur de Pirate - Comme des Enfants (Le Matos remix)

Ludivine Sagnier

Any chance I get to post about gorgeous Ludivine Sagnier, I take. While selecting tracks for the upcoming Gentils Garçons-compilation (the testosteron variety to Filles Fragiles) I came across 33 Tours, an album by Alex Beaupain. Posted about him before, also in combination with Ludivine Sagnier. But I didn't know he also recorded this album, and asked Ludivine, Clothilde Hesme and Chiara Mastoianni to join him on Comme La Pluie. Husky heaven! In the upcoming weeks, I will post more male/female duets that I bumped into. See a great video by Ludivine here.

Alex Beaupain, Ludivine Sagnier, Chiara Mastroianni, Clothilde Helme - Comme la pluie

In addition to the Oh Canada-month on this blog, Let Me Like It blog has a great post about Wintermitts, from Vancouver.

Oh Canada: chez les ye-ye's

When it comes to Canadian ye-ye-artists, we always turn to expert Natashka:

The emancipation of Québec in the 1960s resulted in an explosion of French Canadian pride and culture. At that time, the French Canadian filles had to content with living in the shadow of two musical superpowers, France and the United States. France was the big French-speaking market one had to seduce, while the United States and their rock n’ roll was invading Canada. The filles could not compete with English-speaking Canada mimicking their southern neighbours and were expected to mimic France, as to not offend their own people. Since Québec was literally on the front line of America’s influence while the French were still in chanson mode, the solution was to translate American rock n’ roll into French, as well as write new yé-yé songs.

A huge boost in popularity for Québec came in 1967, when Montréal, the French-speaking metropolis of Québec took on the Herculean task of welcoming the entire planet to Expo 67, still the most popular world exhibition in history. Then in the middle of it on 24 June 1967, Québec’s national holiday, the famous 'Vive le Québec libre!' was cried out by French President Charles de Gaulle visiting Expo 67. That alone got many people interested in what was going in Québec musically or otherwise.

So it’s the summer of 1967, six million people in Québec are on a collective ego trip high, you’re a cute, talented chanteuse and the entire planet is currently visiting your city, watching your every move. What’s a girl do? Get noticed!


Michèle Richard – Un jour, un jour (Thème d’Expo 67) (Video)

The English version is “Hey Friend, Say Friend” sung by Donald Lautrec.


Nanette Workman – Les Petites Choses (with Tony Roman)

An American bothers to learn French and becomes a big star in both countries.


Chantal Renaud – Comme un garçon (Video)

Also sang the duo “Ne dis rien” by Gainsbourg with Donald Lautrec.


Moïra – Tant qu’il y aurait l’amour

An Italian Canadian on Tony Roman’s (above) label. Italians often sang in French.

Elis Regina

Lovely Luciane writes a guestpost on one of the greatest singers ever, Elis Regina:

Absolutely delightful! There's no other way to put it. I found these little gems on a compilation of rare Elis Regina tracks called 20 Anos de Saudade. But I could have never imagined I'd hear Elis singing in French. The classic "Samba da benção" became "Samba Saravah" in this perfect version written by Pierre Barouh. Like any classic, I wouldn't expect a version in another language to be as good, but Barouh nailed it. "Être heureux, c'est plus ou moins ce qu'on cherche..." Elis sings those words with a sweet and husky voice. Her playful and relaxed tone just invites you to surrender to the groovy, jazzy beat of this samba à la française.

The song was recorded live in 1968 during one of her concerts at the Olympia, in Paris -- and released only as a 7" single. And in spite of her legendary nervousness before getting on stage, you can tell the audience fell in love. Elis was the only brazilian singer to perform there twice the same year. And those who were there? Very lucky people, indeed... Because, as far as I know, there's no full record of either of those concerts -- and in the case it remains a treasure, I'm more than happy to enjoy this taste. She's so comfortable, you can hear her plaisir and the sound of her smiles as she sings every word. Her band, which she introduces right in the beginning of the song, is also impeccable. If I wasn't Brazilian, I'd say "Samba da benção" (by Vinicius de Moraes and Baden Powell) is even better in French. I'm tempted... Because little pepper, Barouh and the band make quite the convo. And her malemolência (something like a mixture of joyful swing and malice) is simply sultry.

That same year, Elis and Barouh made it to the studio together and recorded a duo. "La nuit de masques" is Barouh's adaptation -- en Français, bien sûre -- to "Noite dos mascarados", a tasty marchinha in the best Chico Buarque style. "Qui êtes-vous? Si tu m'aimes, tu dois deviner," they playfully ask each other as if wearing masks on a carnival day in Rio. It's a song to make you smile and take someone by the hand into this ball of sunshine and gracious naiveté. "Mais c'ést Carnaval et qu'importe aujourd'hui qui tu es?" This is pure joie de vivre!

Finally, "La nuit de mon amour" is Barouh's version to "A noite do meu bem," the biggest hit by radio singer Dolores Duran -- another prodigy who also sang in several languages and died young... Elis is alone with her feelings when she sings this disillusioned ballad about a woman who has finally found love, but is not sure if she can give back all the purity she sees. Can it ever be too late? "La nuit de mon amour" might not give you the answer, but if you have to cry, then bottoms up and let Elis put you to bed.

For the curious and collectors, both "La nuit de mon amour" and "La nuit des masques" were originally released in 1968 in the EP album called "Elis em Paris," while "Samba Saravah" came out that same year as 7" single 365.234 PB. But you can find all three songs (and 25 more) in the compilation "20 Anos de Saudade." Happy listening. Viva Elis.

Elis Regina - La nuit des masques
Elis Regina - La nuit de mon amour
Elis Regina - Samba Saravah

Velvelettes

In Mojo's Motown top 100, it was mentioned that The Velvelettes recorded a couple of songs in French. I was immediatly interested; real French soul! Turned out they were never released. Well, until 2004's compilation The Velvelettes - The Motown Anthology. From the liner notes: 'Berry Gordy discovered that Cal (Caldin Gill, one of the original groupmembers) had majored in French in high school and, to his surprise, she spoke French quite well. Thus, he paired the five girls with a French producer, named Pierre Berjot. Berry was very fascinated and took great pleasure in Pierre and Cal on conversations in French.' Why none of these recordings weren't released, the story doesn't tell. Pierre Berjot is also knows as Pierre Jaubert, the mastermind behind afro-rock bands like Ice and Lafayette Afro-Rock Band. Shame the four French songs were never released at the time - the only French cover of a Motown hit I know is Annie Philippe's Baby Love. Must be more, but who knows what the Velvelettes could've achieved. Then again, there are several very good French soul singers, ranging from Axelle Red to Soha. But more Supremes-like groups en Français, could've been great.
The liner notes of the Velvelettes anthology also mention that Stevie Wonder recorded a French version of Castles in the Sand. Would love to hear that.

Velvelettes - Je veux crier (My foolish heart)
Velvelettes - Le Hokey Pokey (The Monkey)

Radio Radio

Vannacht, of morgenvroeg, net wat u wil, ben ik te gast in het radioprogramma Nacht van het Goede Leven. Van 01.00-02.00 uur, Radio 1. Presentatie: Adeline van Lier.

If you heard the radioshow, and understood Dutch, you heard me talking about two new projects. After spring, Gentils Garçons will be released, the testosteron variety of Filles Fragiles. Featuring mostly young fresh French fellows, like Renan Luce, Saule, Julien Doré and Arman Méliès. Then, after summer, a tribute to Gainsbourg will be released. By Dutch and Belgian artists like Janne Schra (Room Eleven), Saule, Suarez, Benjamin Herman, Spinvis, Arno Hintjens and Tom Barman. Brandspanking new covers and some oldies. Keep you posted on both albums!

Liben

Let's stay in Belgium, for Vincent Liben has already made one of the best French language albums of the year. Yes, it's January, I know, but trust me: it won't get much better than this. Liben didn't ring a bell, he's part of the band Mud Flow that I'd never heard of. He's also the producer of the first Marie Warnant album, and frequent FS-visitors must remember that fizzy haired lovely. Tout va disparaitre is Liben's solo offering, with very delicate, well-crafted songs that wink to great French artists like Hardy, Yves Simon and ofcourse Gainsbourg. That said, Liben does have a personal, distinct sound and a warm, darkbrown voice. Serge is very much present when Vincent duets with Stephanie Croibien, an angel with a honeydrenched voice. She sings two solosongs, highlights of the album. Duet 30 Decembre deserves to be a big hit.

Liben - 30 Decembre