Unknown Chinese Record

Here is another one of those 10″ records from the China Record Company for which I know absolutely nothing about, nit being able to translate the cover . I have , however, found these records quite interesting so I jump at the chance to pick one up when I can. I paid $4 for this one.

Though this label draws on the vast sea of 5,000 years of Chinese music, this record was actually quite modern/ western in terms of music. At least compared to the other records I have from CRC. Quite enjoyable, really. Pretty good use of an orchestra as opposed to regional folk instruments.

Well, here is a sample from the record, Perhaps, you can understand what I am talking about. I believe this was the first song on side 1. Satisfactory record.

Chinese Song

Jacqueline Francois-Mademoiselle De Paris

I put this record in at the last minute for a week long salute to France. I bought this way, way back when I first started doing this blog. I actually had this slated for the first or second month of the blog, but as it skipped horribly and I was above posting songs that skipped, I kind of brushed it aside. And there it sat for quite some time (4 years).

Then about two weeks ago, I was driving to work and this song popped up in my Ipod. I was struck by how hauntingly beautiful and simple it was. Also, I am no longer above posting songs that skip. So I made some changes and decided to end the week with this record. I paid $1 for this. At the time,this was the first pre-1980 French female record I found out there for under $5. As noted yesterday, they seem to be far and few between.

I could not find much about the subject, Jacqueline Francois, other than what I saw on a French Wikipedia page. Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1922, Francois was a popular singer from the late 1940’s to 1960’s and was active up until the 1990’s. This popularity was not confined to France. Her trademark number from what I can tell from a bad Google translation was this number, which was written by Paul Durand and Henri Content. It was a smash hit and sold millions of copies. Francois died in 2009 at age 87.

This record, released by Columbia in 1954, is a showcase for the song as well as Francois’ vocal talent. From what I recall, I enjoyed it at the time but as far as condition goes, the record was beat to hell. That is probably why it was $1. I could not find one song on it that did not skip. That is why it sat for so long.

So today, to close out our week of French music, I am presenting “Mademoiselle de Paris”. I think I got it down to only one skip.

Satisfactory record. Happy Bastille Day and Viva la France!!!!

Mademoiselle de Paris

Sylvie Vartan- ST

Coming close to Bastille Day and the close of our French week with this record, which I bought for $4. This is typical of the records I find from the French Ye-Ye artists. Later period music that deviates heavily from that 60’s sound I love. But what are you going to expect in a US record store for under $8?

Back in that period, however, Sylvie Vartan was a heavyweight of Ye-Ye music. Known for her tough sound, elaborate dancing, and sexy charm, she was one of the more productive singers of the 60’s. Born in Iskrets in what was then the Kingdom of Bulgaria (in 1944), she emigrated to France in 1952 with her family after Soviet Occupation of the country. She remained a popular artist thru the 70’s and beyond. I believe she was still performing sporadically up until last year but I really lost my appetite today to look into this much further as well as write fluid paragraphs.

A little heavy on the video today, aren’t we? Anyway, this record was from 1980. Released on RCA, the label that launched her career, Vartan shows that she can adapt to the times, which for this , was that odd era between 70’s and 80’s music. Pretty decent pop album which although far removed from her early work, showcases the talent which made her a star.

For a sample, I went with “Bienvenue Solitude” (Good Morning Nobody).

Satisfactory Record.

Bienvenue Solitude

Gilbert Becaud- His Newest Songs

We have been focusing on French music this week and finally we are starting to move more into the pop realm. Here is a record I bought for $4. I was surprised to find this at Cactus and reasonably priced as well. I bought this for no other reason than this was French and the subject seemed like a decent enough song writer.

This record was recorded at Paris’s Olympia music hall. It was opened i 1888 by the co-creators of The Moulin Rouge. It started life as a grand music hall featuring many different forms of entertainment including operas, circuses, and ballets. It closed during the Wars and operated as a movie theater for some time afterwards before reverting back into a music venue in 1954.

After this time, it became a popular venue for musicians, including the great Edith Piaf, for whom I feel somewhat raw about not featuring this week. The Beatles played there for 18 days before their famed trip to America. It was nearly closed demolished in the 1990’s but has since bounced back and remains a popular venue today. Tying it in to myself, the Pogues chose the venue for their 30th Anniversary special.

The Olympia was also the favorite venue of today’s subject, singer/songwriter Gilbert Becaud. Born in Toulon in 1927, Becaud was known as “Monsieur 100,000 Volts” due to his charismatic stage act. He was yet one of the many French performers mentored by Piaf, who encouraged him to develop his solo act. Besides being popular in France, his translated songs were hits in the US and include “The Day The Rains Came”, “Let It Be Me”, What Now My Love”, and ” It Must Be Him” which is a blog staple. He slowed down work wise at the end and passed on from cancer in 2001. He was 74.

This record, recorded live at the Olympia, was one of 15 or so albums that he recorded at the venue. Released in 1966 by Liberty, the album features his songs including “Je T’Aime”, “T’es Venu De Loin”, “Le Petite Prince Est Revenue”, and “Nathalie” which Becaud wrote after a trip to Moscow. The songs are elegant and well performed. Since I do not speak French, it can not follow the stories other than the emotions displayed during each tune. Really good little album, though. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

For a sample, I went with “Seul Sur Son Etoile” (Alone On His Star), which was adapted in English with new lyrics (written by Mack David) in to ” It Must Be Him”. I also went with “L’Orange” which is a crazy number and one of Becaud’s more popular ones, I believe. Yeah, it is kind of lame using a song as a sample that has a video in the same post but it is really a quite crazy tune about a dispute about oranges in the marketplace. Besides, you just can’t say someone is Monsieur 100,000 Volts and not include some live video.

Satisfactory.

Seul Sur Son Etoile
L’Orange

101 Strings- Play Songs Of France

Bastille Week keeps on a rolling with a wide variety of French music. Here is a record I bought for 50 cents. I bought this for the songs I am using for a sample. Maybe in the back of my head, I knew I was going to do a French week when I bought this.

101 Strings records from Alshire have been on the blog before so there is no need to go into the history of this budget label or the off-shoring of non-union bands to record the music. From here, we have this label tackling the music of France. A pretty good mix of tunes including such French pop standards as “Can-Can”, “Poor People Of Paris”, “Mademoiselle de Paris” and “Frere Jacques”. Pretty good album. One of the better 101 Stings efforts, which can be hit or miss at times. I am not sure when this came out. My guess is somewhere around 1960.

For samples, I went with the reason I bought this record; the two French songs that I seem to always post. Here is “I Love Paris” and “Under Paris Skies”. Both seem to incorporate church bells in the intro.

Satisfactory Record.

I Love Paris

Under PAris Skies

French Military Marches

We are celebrating French music leading up to Bastille Day. Here is a record I bought for $6 which seems awfully high.

Military Music is a fetish of sorts for me. I was I could say I was more of an expert on the subject but in actuality, I have only heard a small percentage of national military music out there. My favorite is Russian but that is kind of like liking the Beatles. I have heard a lot of German and can say that I am not really a fan, which is strange perhaps since I really like German classical. I have a working theory that there is some bad ass military music in South America but I have yet to find it.

That brings us to France, which I must say is rather melodic and rousing. Most famously of all French military songs is “La Marseillaise”, the national anthem of France, which begins this record. It was written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisie in 1792, soon after the start of war against Austria. It would soon become strongly associated with the French Revolution. Largely seen as the beginning of the “European March” style of anthems, its music remains popular today.

The rest of the album largely falls in line with this, presenting stirring and melodic tunes in a patriotic manner. It was part of the Atlas Series from Olympic Records in 1976. I liked this album. I had about five songs pegged for sample consideration. Very listenable able as well, as this is not always the case with marches.

For a sample, I decided to go with “March De La Gendarmerie” and “Marche Du 1st Regiment Des Carabiniers”.

Good stuff. Worth the high price tag. Satisfactory.

Marche de la Gendarmerie

Marche du 1er Regiment des Carabiniers

Pro Musica Antiqua of Brussels- French Chansons and Dances of the 16th Century

Good Day!! We are moving from North America over to Europe this week. Bastille Day is this Sunday and in tribute, we are celebrating all week long with records featuring various French music. I was pretty happy with the depth of variety I had on the given subject considering that French Ye-Ye is among my favorite music and yet almost impossible to find at the bargain rate prices I set for my blog. Regardless, let’s jump into it with this record that I bought for $2.

The chanson is one of France’s oldest musical forms and date back to medieval times. The chansons on this album come from the Renaissance and according to the back cover (which for all intensive purposes, I briefly skimmed) reached its peak in the 16th century. The song form celebrates epic poems mostly related to love. Modern chansons have been a favorite of mine on this blog, Jacques Brel, for instance. However, finding these gems is tough, especially on the cheap.

This album features those great chansons of the 16th century as performed by the Pro Musica Antiqua of Brussels which is fitting, not only due to Brel being from Brussels, but because the chansons of this period had a strong Flemish influence. Safford Cape(1906-1973) served as the director of the group. Cape was actually born in Denver, CO but moved to Belguim to study music.

The album consists of vocal chansons made up of three to five voice pieces as well as instrumental dance tunes of the period. You know, the slow walking type dances that seemed to be popular back in ye days of olde. This record was released by Dover Publications in 1964.

For a sample, I decided to go with the five part “Le Rossignol” (The Nightingale) written by Roland de Lassus, who was one of the most famous song writers of the later 1500’s. I also wanted to go with a dance number so I am also submitting “Fantaisie” by Eustache du Caurroy. The song features the every middle school music teacher’s favorite, the recorder.

Satisfactory Record

Le Rossignol
Fantaisie

Jane Siberry- No Borders Here

Welcome to yet another month of Donkey Show. I had been blasting thru May and June to get to this month’s line up. However, I feel like the month did not live up to the incredible amount of hype I put into it. I think I accidentally put to much focus on folk music. Either way, here we are kicking off the month, and Canada Day for that matter and since we are celebrating July 1st, what better time to post some Canadian content. I can give you a reason but honestly, I don’t remember exactly why I buy albums any more. I suspect the large label on the front cover had something to do with it. The label notes that this is from “Canada’s Most Critically Acclaimed New Artist”. This was $5.

This record was the second solo effort from singer/ songwriter Jane Siberry, (born in Toronto, ON, 1955). Recorded on the Duke Street/ Open Air Records and released in 1984, it was distributed by A&M, which allowed greater access to the American market. Siberry’s sound on this record moved from her earlier folk influence into a more electronic style. I am thinking more Kate Bush/ Laurie Anderson along with a Suzanne Vega vibe. Regardless, this record spawned some of Siberry’s biggest hits, “You Don’t Need”, “I Muse Aloud” and perhaps her most famous “Mimi On The Beach” which was aided by what was a new concept at the time, music video’s along with heavy play on MuchMusic (Canadian MTV). Siberry is still active today and from what I can tell, tours both regularly and globally. You can check her webpage out here.

Straight up, this record is strongly 1980’s as well as Canadian and I was reminded that while listening to it. Also, at first, I struggled with the various breaks and odd time signatures. However, after putting it in context with the period, I really enjoyed this album. Very new wave/ art rock keyboard driven music. Pretty interesting and enjoyable stuff. Bravo, record.

Despite the high number of big songs on this record, my favorite tune on here was “Extra Executives” which I am submitting as a sample. Also, in tribute to the love of Charlie Kelly’s life, I am presenting “The Waitress”, which was pretty excellent as well.

Satisfactory record. Yep. it is going to be another month of quick posts. As always, if you feel I left something out, please feel free to drop me a comment. I love talking to new people. Also, Happy Canada Day.

Extra Executives
The Waitress

The D’oyle Carte Opera Company and The New Symphony Orchestra of London- Gilbert ad Sullivan’s The Mikado

Here is a record I got for many reasons, mostly price, that was with discount, $1.60. I also think I got it to tie into the Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s staging of the production this summer( July to be exact). I believe at time of this writing, tickets should be on sale. The former owner must of been a fan of the production as there are various programs from different performances in the box.

Link to Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Page

I was first unknowingly exposed to this work from a familiar source. One that you should be familiar with if you read this blog at all. So, as a child I knew one song but was greatly unaware of the larger work. One great thing about listening to this on the record is there is no laugh track.

I first became aware of The Mikado from the movie Foul Play, which saw on cable. At first. me and my friends thought it was some kind of joke musical. It was many years afterwards that I realize that this was a real production. I mean we were still somewhat young, but regardless, we thought this play within a play was quite funny. Did not realize it was a real thing.

The first real exposure to The Mikado as an actual, real piece of work came again from cable TV. This time, the movie Topsy Turvy, which was a portrayed the staging of the comic opera. It was a great movie and really did a great job with some of the back stories of the principals.

The Mikado was the ninth of the fourteen works Gilbert and Sullivan collaborated on. It opened at the Savoy in 1885 and ran 672 which was the second longest running piece of musical theater at the time. It remains probably the duo’s most popular work.

In this age of apologizing for cultural appropriations, it should be noted that the use of Japan as a setting allowed the duo to satirize British culture in a way similar to Johnathan Swift. As a result, the impact of the satire was somewhat softened.

This release, from London records in 1958 features the D’oyle Carte Opera Company and the New Symphony of London, conducted by Isidore Godfrey. Performers include Donald Adams, Thomas Round, Peter Pratt, Kenneth Sandford, Alan Styler, Jean Hindmarsh, Beryl Dixon, Jennifer Toye, and Ann Drummond Grant.

I was going to take this post to other places but it is Saturday and the end of the month so I am going to leave it here. For some reason, I am really hip to get into next month’s records. So for samples, I went with ” I Am So Proud” and “So Please You Sir”. I also went with two of my favorite songs, “The Sun Whose Rays Are All A Blaze” and what must have been one of G&S’s best closing number’s, ” So He’s Gone and Married Yum Yum”.

Satisfactory Record. See you next month. Was not planning on making today’s post a hodge podge of video’s but here we are. If you are in the Houston, do yourself a favor and see this grand piece of musical theater.

I Am So Proud
SO Please You Sir
The Sun Whose Rays….
For He’s Gone And Married Yum Yum

Tom Jones- Tom

We have been ending this month with artists from all over the world. SO here we are with Wales and singing star Tom Jones. I paid $4 for this which has a great song list.

Here is an album from the Welshman from 1970. His first of two that year from Decca/ Parrot Records. It would go to # 4 in the UK, $6 in the US, and #2 in Finland. Pretty good record. It has a really vibrant and funky first side with such songs as “I Can’t Turn You Loose”, “Proud Mary”, “Sugar Sugar”, and “I Thank You” among others. I also like “Polk Salad Annie”, in which Jones tells the listener about how things work in the Southern US. Side two slows down but still hits home with “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” and “The Impossible Dream”. Overall, great little album.

For a sample, I went with “Venus” ( the second time this month I used that title). It is interesting as I never have heard a man perform this song. Anyway, here it is.

Satisfactory.

Venus