Transcript for the Piece Audio version of Bonjour Chanson Series 7, Episode 31

Bonjour Chanson Series 7, Episode 31

Play Track 01 seconds 0:51 to 1:11 ? ”Respire”.

Start text segment 1 ? Welcome to “Bonjour Chanson”. French Language Popular Music has a rich tradition. We’re here to help you enjoy it by introducing artists and their songs in English. When you’ll hear a song in French you’ll know what it is about and you’ll feel the emotion although you may not speak French. You heard an excerpt from the song “Breathe” interpreted by Carole Fredericks, an American R&B singer, who in 1979 flew to Paris, without knowing a word of French. More about Carole’s remarkable career at the end of the show when we’ll play the entire song.
Our first song is by Michel Rivard who is one of French Canada’s most beloved singer/songwriters with a career that spans more than 30 years. He was a founding member of the group “Beau dommage”. We’ll listen today to his song “The Glass Marble” from 1992.. “A wooden boat takes father away to the end of the world. He’ll see China and the Opaline Islands where the people live naked. I’ll become a man. My grades will be good. He will be proud of me. He’ll bring a glass marble and a silkworm back to me. ” Here is Michel Rivard. ? End text segment 1

Play Track 02 ? Bille de Verre

Start Text segment 2 ? That was Michel Rivard in “Bille de Verre”.

Jonathan Ehrens who has been the co-producer of “Bonjour Chanson” from day one is spreading his wings to start a new career in Music Production on the West Coast. The talents he has brought to Station WYPR and to Bonjour Chanson will be greatly missed. However, we are thrilled to announce that Ms. Claire Caplan, an experienced Producer at WYPR has agreed to join the show and we are looking forward to this new partnership.
Jonathan, working with you has been a blast. I always looked forward to our recording sessions. Now it is your turn to speak.

Thank you Jonathan and Good Luck!
Najoua Belyzel was born in Nancy, France from a Moroccan Father and an Egyptian Mother. She showed an early interest in music and started writing her own songs at age 14. In 2001 she started law studies at the University of Nancy, but abandoned those studies for a career in music. Her big breakthrough came in 2005 with the song Gabriel. We’ll listen here to the song “In the Feminine” from her 2009 album of the same name.
“In the beginning nothing serious, nothing but a lovers’ quarrel. You forgive him in a feminine way. It’s a secret, yours and his. After all, you are pure innocence, and you dream of romance first and foremost. Your sadness comes and goes. Say nothing now.
Then comes the time of madmen and dogs. They love you the wrong way and punish you.
” Here is Najoua Belyzel. " ? End Text segment 2.

Play Track 03 ? Au Feminin

Text segment 3 ? You heard Najoua Belyzel in “Au Feminin”.

Without the good looks nor the voice usually associated with mainstream French singers, it took Charles Aznavour 20 years to become successful as a singer songwriter. But when he did, it was with a vengeance. He has led a charmed life as one of the most celebrated artists in the world. His secret for success: talent, hard work and tenacity. We’ll listen to the song “Only Yesterday” from 1961. An English version was published as “Yesterday, When I was Young. “Only yesterday I was twenty. I caressed time and played with life, like one plays with love. And I lived at night without counting the days that fled . I made so many plans that remained up in the air, and raised so many hopes that flew away, that I remain lost not knowing where to turn. My eyes searching heaven, but my heart beneath the earth.” Here is Charles Aznavour. ? End of Text segment 3.

Play Track 04 ? Hier Engore.

Text segment 4 ? You listened to Charles Aznavour in “Hier Encore”.

Carla Bruni, who is the daughter of an Italian Industrialist could have led a life of leisure. Instead she became a supermodel and when it was time to say goodbye to the runway she proved to be a talented musician, both as a performer and songwriter. Let’s play the song “Rearranging the Stones” from 2008. “I want my eyes in your eyes. I want my voice in your ear. I still desire the pain of love, the pain of everything that fills one with wonder. I still want to burn slowly and walk two steps from the sun.” Ms. Carla Bruni ? End of text segment 4.

Play Track 05 ? Deranger les Pierres

Text segment 5 ? Carla Bruni interpreted “Deranger les Pierres”.

As an adolescent in Chicoutimi in Northern Quebec, Guy Philippe Wells composed songs, In 1988 he moved to Montreal to pursue a degree in Economics. After graduation he worked in Quebec Provincial Politics for a couple of years but then returned to music. He received a number of awards for his musical accomplishments. We now listen to his song “The Human Adventure” from 2009. “Even if the hearts go sailing from sea to sea, until they are no longer thirsty. Even if all goes wrong, whether loves are born or erased. It’s beauty that walks everywhere. ” Here is Guy Philippe Wells ? End of text segment 5.

Play Track 06 (fade-out at 3:07) ? L’Aventure Humaine

Text segment 6 ? Guy Philippe Wells sang « L’Aventure Humaine »

In 1978 the American R&B singer Carole Fredericks performed regularly in the French restaurant “La Belle Helene” in San Francisco. A number of patrons suggested that she would do well if she moved to France. Carole took note, saved her money for a year and then flew to Paris not speaking a word of French. Through a chance encounter she was working as a Studio Artist a couple of weeks later. Her engaging personality, her eagerness and success in learning French and her musical talent made her many friends. She did studio work for some of France’s top singers/songwriters. She got her big break when she came to the attention of Jean-Jacques Goldman who already was at the top of his profession. He invited her to work on an album with him. This led to her touring the world with Jean Jacques and the guitarist Michael Jones as the “Fredericks, Goldman, Jones” ensemble.. Carole had become a star in her own right. In 2001 tragedy struck when she suffered a fatal heart attack while vacationing in Senegal. The Persona and Music of Carole Fredericks stay alive largely through the work of the Carole D. Fredericks Foundation, managed by Connie Fredericks Malone, who is Carole’s sister. Let’s listen to the song “Breathe” from 1999 in which Jean-Jacques Goldman is the background singer. Need I say more? (“Because of gravity that glues us to the earth, because of our two feet nailed to the ground, because of being denied the gift of flight, we lack so much air, that we measure it by the bowl. Through prayer to Heaven, poor sinners wait for a better world. In spite of our slums and our disgust, how can we lift ourselves up?”) Ms. Carole Fredericks ? End of text segment 6

Play Track 01 ? Respire

Text segment 7 ? You heard Carole Fredericks in “Respire”.

This is the end of our show. Bonjour Chanson was recorded in the studios of WYPR in Baltimore. Today the show was co-produced by Jonathan Ehrens and Claire Caplan. I am Charles Spira. Please, look out for the next episode We request the pleasure of your company.