Transcript for the Piece Audio version of Bonjour Chanson Series 8, Episode 36

Bonjour Chanson Series 8, Episode 36

Play Track 01 seconds (00:17 to0:41)? “Quelque Chose de Tennessee”.

Start text segment 1 Welcome to “Bonjour Chanson”. French Language Popular Music allows you to discover French Culture through beautiful melodies and voices. We’ll make it easy because we’ll tell you about the songs and the artists in English. My name is Charles Spira and I’ll be your host.
You heard an excerpt from the song “Something from Tennessee” by Johnny Hallyday. We’ll hear about this French icon at the end of the show, when we’ll play the entire song.

The French Canadian music scene is vibrant and alive with young talent who finds their audience through the internet in addition to conventional channels. Melanie Scala, a pianist, who started the group Porcelaine in Montreal is a case in point.. We listen to the song “The Fever” from their first EP-Album published in 2010. “A drop of ink drips onto my stomach, writes a story, tries to see you again. You are the substance that I love which courses through my veins like an essential movement that becomes more and more real. Did you know that feelings are measured by time. Never again shall I forget how to cause pain..” Here is Porcelaine. ? End text segment 1

Play Track 02 (start at 0:10 fadeout at 3:30)? La Fievre

Start Text segment 2 ? We listened to Porcelaine in “La Fievre.”

The Francophone Community of Switzerland is underrepresented in the realm of French popular music. Ironically, the one who is their main exponent on the international scene is Stephan Eicher, a Swiss German with Gypsy origins. But Stephan Eicher represents them well. He has immense talent and his passion for music is awe-inspiring. In the 80’s and 90’s he has constantly re-invented himself moving from a solo act surrounded by electronic instruments to being accompanied by a string quartet. We listen to the song “Rendez-vous” from 2007, the music of which was written by the French artist Raphael. “I had slept somewhere, a night you were not there. I had a lot to drink, I think, and it felt like heaven inside me. And the wind on the road, did nothing for me, the wind on the road did nothing for me. And as I still think of you, without hope of a better wind, why did you let me leave, why did you leave me there?.” Here is Stephan Eicher." ? End Text segment 2.

Play Track 03 (fadeout at 2:46) ? Le Rendez-vous

Text segment 3 ? Stephan Eicher brought us “Le Rendez-vous”.

Axelle Red whose real name is Fabienne Demal was born in the Dutch speaking city of Hasselt in Eastern Belgium from French speaking parents. When she showed signs of having great musical talent her parents encouraged her. The young, red-haired Axel not only has a strong voice, but she is a great Soul and R&B singer and a gifted songwriter. She is able to sing in both Dutch and French which made her popular in both linguistic communities in Belgium. Soon her fame spread throughout Europe. Let’s hear her perform the song “A Lost Summer” “She goes upstairs to her room while it is still light outside. In the fields the children are running around. She can feel all her extremities and her heart is heavy, there is so little love. Another day, another night, a life without him.” Here is Ms. Axelle Red. ? End of Text segment 3.

Play Track 04 (fadeout at 3:19) ? A Lost Summer.

Text segment 4 ? Axelle Red sang “Un Ete Pour Rien”.

At the heart of the successful French Rock Group Luke is singer/songwriter Thomas Boulard who grew up in Bordeaux. He moved to Paris to become a chartered accountant, but he spent much more time playing with bands than studying. When he was invited by the band “Spring” to join them on tour as guitarist he agreed and wrote a number of songs for them. When Spring finally disbanded, the new group Luke was born. The name is a reference to the movie “Cool Hand Luke” with Paul Newman. Their debut Album, a 4-track EP appeared in 2000. We’ll listen to “The Human Species” from 2004. Here is a sample of the lyrics which frankly are challenging “You have the gaze of races that one loses like so many others like you, revolutionary friends. Has the jester become king? Here is Luke. ? End of text segment 4.

Play Track 05 ? L’espece Humaine

Text segment 5 ? We heard Luke in « L’Espece Humaine »

The duo Milo which brings together Corinne Louis, an experienced actress and musician and Pierre Rougean published their eponymous Album in 2005. They are perfectly attuned to each other and the producer Jean-Louis Pierot who has worked with the likes of Etienne Daho, Tete and Miossec delivers a delicately crafted album. We listen to the song “24 frames”. 24 frames per second is far too much for me. 24 hours to circle the globe and I stay here, waiting like everybody else, for a choice spot. A place with a bit of shade, right downstairs from me. But 24 frames per second, that’ a movie, a movie for everybody, why not for me?” Here is Milo in “24 Frames” ? End of text segment 5.

Play Track 06 ? 24 Images

Text segment 6 ? We listened to the duo Milo in “Vingt Quatre Images.”

Johnny Hallyday who was born as Jean-Philippe Smet in 1943 from a Belgian father and French mother had a difficult childhood. His parents separated when he was only a few months old and he was cared for by his aunt, whose daughters were dancers and Johnny traveled all through France with his aunt and cousins. When he heard Elvis Presley sing in a movie, he made the decision to become a Rock and Roll singer and he did become the original French Rock artist, who adapted the genre for his French audiences and was an icon to several generations. Tragedy and triumph are interwoven in his career. He sacrificed any semblance of a normal life to the voracious demands of an all-consuming stage life. He went through several failed marriages and attempted to commit suicide in 1966. But who other than Johnny Hallyday could bring 500.000 people to the Champ de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, for a free concert as he did in 2009? He did not just sing Rock songs. He also performed sensitive ballads such as the song “Quelque Chose de Tennessee”, which was written by the distinguished singer-songwriter Michel Berger and refers to Tennessee Williams. Let’s listen to that song.. (“First an intro by a female voice: To you, weak and marvelous men, who put so much graceful effort in withdrawing from the game. You need a hand on your shoulder, to push you towards life. This tender and light hand.”. Followed by: We all have something within us, from Tennessee. That desire to prolong the night. That crazy desire to live another life, this dream within us, fashioned from his words”. ) Here is Johnny Hallyday. ? End of text segment 6

Play Track 01 ? Quelque Chose de Tennessee

Text segment 7 ? We listened to Johnny Hallyday in “Quelque Chose de Tennessee.”

We have come to the end of our show. Bonjour Chanson is recorded in the studios of WYPR in Baltimore. Jonathan Ehrens is the producer. My name is Charles Spira. We hope we sparked your interest in this rich genre and hope to welcome you back in our next show.