Tracklist:
Raoûl Duguay - Alllô
Aut'chose - Le freak de Montréal
Michel Madore - Bâli
Bernard Bonnier - Métaphores pour un nouveau monde
Claude Péloquin - Mama Vagina
Le vieux show son sale - Le tango des concaves
Pollen - Vieux corps de vie d'ange
Caramel mou - Caramel mou (stéréologue)
Aut'chose - Pousse pas ta luck ok bébé
Claude Péloquin - Il y a juste assez de monde
Intended to celebrate and draw our french's audience attention on the quebecan freak wave from the 70's, this highly subjective podcast purposefully skips many of the progressive classics (Les champignons or L'infonie) as well as the earlier garage / freak / funk ones that were already reissued to focus more on songs that appear sometimes to be more suprising interludes or UFO side-dishes. Excerpts from albums that are not necessarely fantastic all way long, they often drown poetry into lsd, blending cheesy aspects with wild electroacoustic and studio experimentation.
I couldn't resist in including the classic Mama Vagina that quite started it all since the canadian label Mucho Gusto digitally reissued it. Second track by Claude Peloquin comes from the less celebrated l'Ouverture du Paradis, while the one by Michel Madore (taken from le Komuso à cordes) is actually also a product from Jean Sauvageau's studio.
On the more classic chanson side, le Tango des concaves is taken from the cult Le vieux show son sale, written and sang by Plume Latraverse, while the two track by the band Aut'chose (leaded by the poet Lucien Francoeur playing with various session musicians) are from Prends une chance avec moé.
And last but not least, take a bit of your time to visit the reference blog Psyquebelique, from whom I borrowed the fantastic track of Bernard Bonnier.
As this post wouldn't be complete without putting a face on these voices, here comes a selection of the national treasures at their best. Specialists will notice that Raoûl Duguay's glorious appearance at la Nuit de la Poésie was part of an edit in french tv program l'Oeil du cyclone ("Poésie mon amie"): one of the many reasons why I allow myself to conclude on a warm tribute to Claude Gauvreau.
This is the kind of item that can't even be considered rare. Easy to find, it simply remains under the collector's radar because of its vague junk aura. But it's way more than another collection of these bawdy songs french people excell into: well-composed and written, this anonymous bunch of sexually explicit songs save themselves from the expected vulgarity with an original piano / organ drum machine combo layered on classy lyrics. Classy, well, as much as can be.
No label, few credits, ... At most three aliases, "Mac Fornick" being the most notable. A surprising graphomania seems to be the only clue we have regarding the man, acccording to the unusual amount of "signed copies" avalaible online. Even less infos regarding the mysterious"G.Crisland", and we will also never know if this J.dupont credited has anything to do with the one who commited La danse des pompiers ... Men fade away, talent remains.
Following the post on the horror movie Hausu soundtrack composer Kobayashi Asei, I'd like to briefly focus on another musical item related to one of the film's actress Haruko Wanibuchi (playing the role of the mother): in the wake of her appearance in the 1977 Toei movie drama Rashamen, a delicate LP was released. Produced by Kazuhiko Karo, from the mighty Sadistic Mika band, and Folk crusaders, it happily got reissued in 2006 by Vivid records, with a few copies are still avalaible for foreigners.
He probably can be considered as the most most misunderstood french artist, hated by many for the irritating pervasiveness of his commercial works, a supeficial tree that hides the forest of a long-lasting and peculiar production. Ben Vautier is way more than a cute sentence on the workbook of a college girl, or that quaint character cheering up gallery owners who forgot who is their uncle: through more than 50 years of carrer, from his early performances to the letterings he's famous for, he declared a humoristic, radical yet paradoxal war against ego in art, often in a jubilant bad faith. He was there for Nouveau Réalisme, Fluxus and later Figuration libre, started web production in 1996 through website and newsletters, in a constant production bulimia questionning fundamental topics such as identity, popular and wise cultures, or self-representation. And sex.
In summer 2008, he started pulishing various songs on his website, for a short period of time: childish outsider blues, with obsessive vocals à la Dubuffet layered on stolen instrumentals, I still wonder why he suddenly stopped such a fancy-full activity. May he know that us, pleased listeners, hope to hear more as soon as possible.
« Où l’Horizon prend fin, où l’œil jamais de l’homme n’apaisera sa faim, au seuil enfin de l’Univers, sur cet autre revers trouant le ciel de nuit, d’encre et d’ennui profond, se font et se défont les Astres »
Written in 1969 and recorded 1970, the symphonic rock oratorio "Death of Orion" is one of Manset's greatest work on arrangements in a chanson format. At that time, he was one of the few songwriters-producers to own his own recording studio: there occured many artists such as William Sheller or Ange. Death of Orion is enlightened by the deep voice of Giani Esposito, and the clear tone of Anne Vanderlove, one of the most beautiful voice in the Latin Quarter, who brought her specific sweetness as a counterpoint.
The aura of mystery which developed around Manset arose from the scarcity of his media appearances, the lack of concerts, and moreover his belonging to a tradition of out-of-fashion characters: uncompromising, singular and poetic in his work. Every new album is a great and rare event, sometimes with defaults but always renewed, celebrated by an enthisiastically addicted community.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Death of Orion followed Manset's decision to produce in 1968 his own first EP Animal we are wrong
From the album "Death of Orion":
Check out here for a detailed analysis (in french): >>> Pop-Rock.com
Some music artefacts are small by the size, but may concentrate in 7 inches so many elements, that they can easily turn into an iconic crossroads for those who care.
Related in many ways to the world of Tenjosajiki / Terayama Shuji, this EP was reissued in 2004 as a bonus cd to the Baramon LP edition: Baramon, "The Pink Portal", or a provocative gender-troubling poisoned sonic storm run by a group of gay and transgender comedians, with compositions by J.A.Seazer or Kawachi Kuni.
Yamashita Takeo, mighty figure renowed especially for some anime soundtracks such as Lupin III, or Sabu to ichi torimono hikae, scored this Togo Ken EP, built all around the crude yet sensible lyrics and striking singing of this long-time activist in the gay and queer scene: famous for relentlessly challenging the elections and experiencing various troubles with the censorship, it is not a surprise that Togosan crossed the way of Terayama's group, which was a nest at the time for many wild children as much a source of worries and investigation for the police regarding the high degree of social critic generated by its activities, movies, happenings and theater experiences.
I'd like to recommend the lecture of Togo Ken's detailed portrait avalaible for readers here.
Also, take this post as a first opportunity to modestly introduce here the wide world of Tenjosajiki related records: these precious testimonies for adventurous and sincere times you sometimes feel lost are avalaible thanks to the efforts of White Noise records and Belle Antique. Check the haunting Hatsukoi Jigoku Hen, or the collaged Shintokumaru, alongside the countlesses contributions of composer J.A. Seazer to other artists' records such as Carmen Maki: must-have items, burning gems.
Cult SF french vinyl, reissued by Finders Keepers: fantastic sound with a bass line like a real trip of the 70's. This LP is adapted from the book of science fiction Gilbert Deflez, "I am alive, but I'm afraid." Quick, order it here.
Prologue in French, forgive me:
"Au large de la terre, un homme sort lentement d'hibernation. Peu à peu, ses souvenirs lui reviennent. Il revoit les personnages étranges qui ont croisé sa route en cette fin de siècle : un chef de la police aux curieuses notions de charité, un homme-oiseau, une femme particulièrement "prenante", des politiciens aux combines "fracassantes", et les savants d'une Base aux expériences déroutantes... Dans une réminiscence baroque, l'homme revit l'interrogatoire étouffant et les mutations d'une terre malade qui l'amenèrent jusque après l'apocalypse... "
It all starts with an unreal flea market cheap curiosity: following Mister Aubrun's previous attempts to dig unprobable achievements of some famous french figures, here comes a titillating 1977 incursion from the emperor among all our traditionnal singers Guy Béart into the land of science-fiction and futurism. Under cover artwork by Moebius, we have to face a real collision between Beart's ultra emphatic lyricism and fender rhodes, wah-wah or synth pad backgrounds: there, he manages to pack his so often mocked chevaleresque poetry in a rocketship on the way to new moons, however still remaining faithful to his personality.
It is not a surprise to find the name of Roland Romanelli credited on that project: completing his 20 years' role alongside Barbara, he is also famous for being one of the space-synth all-time king, both with a solo carreer and a belonging to the extremely popular and futuristic band Space.
You can also note that Romanelli happened to be responsible of Nicolas Peyrac's Les sept jours de janvier OST that Mister Aubrun already highlighted in our pages, but deserves a second synthy extract here:
In their liner notes for Béart's L'Avenir, the legendary Bogdanoff Brothers insist on the fact that through his lyrics, he was one of the first to write science fiction songs. Béart was indeed an early science-fiction reader and this record is often a musical adaptation of previous visionnary texts he wrote: a statement confirmed by these two 1968 7' containing earlier acoustic versions of the same songs (artwork on the left being realised by Guy Pellaert)
I wouldn't miss the pleasure of quoting the Bogdanoff twice for the metaphysicaly appropriate conclusion this posts requires:
"Fiction of Being: the Man of Béart, this man whom shape gets more precise all along these evelen songs, is affected by an identity discomfort: "What pushes me to these competitions , while the grass is so green ?"
Michel Piccoli is the greatest French actor, well ahead of our National Gégé. He is a superstar, he is capable of anything.
I present a series of very naughty pictures from a very strange movie entitled GRANDEUR NATURE "Live Size"(1974). A story of love doll !
PRIVÉ MAGAZINE - avril 74 N°6 mensuel ---------------------------------------------------------------------
A very sensual adaptation of a poem by Ovide, the great Latin poet. And as B side, a beautiful 45rpm disco bullshit by Pierre Perret and Bernard GERARD.
Today Cartilage Consortium celebrates Poetry. The “Marché de la poésie” takes place this sunday at Saint-Germain-des-prés, with hundred of poets sat in front of their books, and waiting for the rain to come. We have decided to help.
The song above was titled “Poésie” by “Les Dispensés de Gym”. We already exhumed talented songwriters, but those are champions. I got this Lp from my uncle who was dj in the Rouergue (Aveyron). It’s a live concert recorded at the Cultural Center of Capdenac. I couldn’t find more infos on “Maurice Ambiance”, “Granit”, “Salmacis”, “Emile Rock des Champs”, “Anathème” or “Attentat”, the other bands featured on the vinyle. This compilation probably never reached the borders of the county, and it's a pity. Capdenac was the center of the French counterculture in 79, you can’t ignore it any longer.
In this tenderness that sometimes I know This island of touch in this haven of peace The unfathomable mystery in an installment unfathomed As one block of sand among rocks
Poetry, I make poetry Poet Poet X3
At night in my bed with my girlfriend I do not want, I prefer the body of Lili In this fatal outcome, in this kinetic Known in the annals of naive memory In this game of chance, lost forever A hidden out of sight like a flower A flower without season that time forgot To flourish without reason and shiver in the wind
Poetry, I make poetry Poet Poet X3
At night in my bed with my girlfriend I do not want, I prefer the body of Lili In that word so vulgar and both noble Or once a commoner, the name comes from the kings One night, intoxicated, your crazy muse began to rave Poetry of my ass
Poetry, I make poetry Poet Poet X3
Guitar solo
Les Inconnus / Dousseur de vivre - Poésie (Chanson hard rock)
“Les Inconnus“ were a beloved trio of humorists in the nineties. They never knew “Les Dispensés de Gym”, but they faked lyrism of french hard rockers so good that their song stayed in memories. Still i first heard the name of Deep Purple in that video. You can measure the achievement of the mimicry below :
Sweet life Poetry
Listen your heart for a little It teaches you tenderness What does your soul desire ? The delicacy
God created love The day of the 7th day A love so fragile It was made of clay It is said in the Gospel Found in your head Your soul of poet Remember how it’s great The scent of violets In a field of daisies
CHORUS: Follow me All is order and beauty Luxury, calm and voluptuousness Gives a meaning to your life By putting the PO --- E ---TRY POETRY
Let your heart beat It teaches you wisdom Lets talk about your soul She wants a hug God wanted to love you That's why he made you With the clay It is not hogwash It is said in Genesis
You need Azure Open sea and fresh air So escape the threat Of mass phenomena The screams of the populace
Follow me CHORUS
Guitar Solo: Jesu, meine Freude bleibet Johann Sebastian Bach
In the years 2000 inspiration doesn't seem to come easier. This charming young man likes to tease the muse half nude. Sometimes it helps. His name is Sylvain Courtoux. “La poésie est ma petite amie” was released in 2008 on his first album “Vie et mort d’un poète de merde” (Life and death of a shity Poet) at Al Dante publishing. Very Baudelairian. He’s doing some prose too. You can get his books here.
Poetry is my girlfriend polkacore version
I spent some time writing this crap At night in my bed to write poetry It passed the time but I do not know why Texts i sent they did not want Becoming a poet to be published by Gallimard It would still be nice But there are some who are mocking I would have liked to be a fucking poet To subsidize but to publish especially Because poetry is my girlfriend She puts condoms and I listen rock I have lots of friends poets like myself Who does not publish except on the net Where there are cool stuff But poetry is a true life And we get not bored Because poetry, I like to say some things Because I'm too lazy to write a novel I tinker texts I sampled on sex Listening Haniel Joseph (?) Damn it does well Because poetry it does not pay There are even some who died before seeing their books at Auchan Because poetry I love this medium too We spit on each other, the better sodomy And then there are even some who do not have enough Who publish journals to get sucked Poetry is my girlfriend I play all the time even she does not want me Poetry is a quiet job Especially when you earn a good RMI I love poetry, i love poetry, i love poetry, so poetry I love poetry,i love poetry, i love poetry, is poetry
One day it's true, I'll go at Ardisson's Poetry leads also to a life of con One day it's too true, I will be at Ardisson's Because poetry leads to a life of con
I close that post with my all times favorite shiter, Antonin Artaud, who spent three years confined in the asylum of Rodez (Aveyron), to receive fifty electroshocks. Those “Sound effects and my cry in the stairs” come from his radiophonic piece about farting and infinity “To have done with the judgement of God”, censored in 47 by the French broadcasting. True hardcore.
On the more classic chanson side, le Tango des concaves is taken from the cult Le vieux show son sale, written and sang by Plume Latraverse, while the two track by the band Aut'chose (leaded by the poet Lucien Francoeur playing with various session musicians) are from Prends une chance avec moé.
