1979 again with this classy disco/synthpop number.
Manureva is an homage to sailor Alain Colas, lost at sea a year earlier: on 5 November 1978, he took part in his last race (a solitary round-the-world). On 16 November 1978, as he passed the Azores, he sent his last radio message saying that everything was alright and sailing well. Neither his boat Manureva nor his body were ever found. (wikipedia)
Initialy Alain Chamfort had no lyrics for this song he had composed. He asked a few writers but wasn’t satisfied with the results. He then asked Serge Gainsbourg, who wrote a text called “ Adieu California”. He admitted it was better but still wasn’t really satisfied. However the producers liked it and a first version was recorded and even the first copies manufactured. But meanwhile, Chamfort had obtained from Gainsbourg a brand new text, Manureva, which eventually fully pleased him. All he had to do is then to put away the first copies, re-record and release the song (with great success).
I just thought of an entire album that I have that's sung in French. Even a really good version of the famous "Je T'Aime".
Je T'aime by Saint Tropez
Hmm. Interesting. I didn’t know this band, and this (soft) cover of "Je t'Aime Moi Non Plus"
Yeah, it's one of the most solid disco albums musically. Most disco albums start to sag after one or two tracks, so a disco album with three or four good ones is way above average. Heh heh.
# 4 Les Feuilles Mortes (1949) Yves Montand (1921-1991)
Composed by Joseph Kosma (initially for a ballet), with lyrics by poet Jacques Prevert (which he wanted “simple comme bonjour”), the song is a gentle mid-tempo swing, a clever combination of major and minor keys, of brightness and a sort of upcoming melancholy.
For the anecdote, Les feuilles mortes was introduced by Yves Montand in a 1946 movie (Le Portes de la Nuit). However the film was a failure and it took three years for Montand to put the song on record, without much illusions, as each time he was singing it live during those three years following the movie, it was a flop. To his secretary, he said : “the melody is too complicated and has no chance of interesting the public..”
That same year the record was released (1949), Johnny Mercer made an english adaptation (Autumn Leaves) and the fragile and delicate song soon became an international standard.
# 4 Les Feuilles Mortes (1949) Yves Montand (1921-1991)
Composed by Joseph Kosma (initially for a ballet), with lyrics by poet Jacques Prevert (which he wanted “simple comme bonjour”), the song is a gentle mid-tempo swing, a clever combination of major and minor keys, of brightness and a sort of upcoming melancholy.
For the anecdote, Les feuilles mortes was introduced by Yves Montand in a 1946 movie (Le Portes de la Nuit). However the film was a failure and it took three years for Montand to put the song on record, without much illusions, as each time he was singing it live during those three years following the movie, it was a flop. To his secretary, he said : “the melody is too complicated and has no chance of interesting the public..”
That same year the record was released (1949), Johnny Mercer made an english adaptation (Autumn Leaves) and the fragile and delicate song soon became an international standard.
I never heard Yves montand sing before except in the movie On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Ha ha. But he's a good singer. Very smooth. I think there's a lot of versions of Autumn Leaves. I've got Nat King Cole and this one in French also;
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RoundTheBend
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