Talent in Poetry, Panache and Variety.

By PHILIPPE ADLER (Philippe Adler has worked for eight years for the cause he is so typically French in flavor, his songs do a whole month and no one sings more tellingly than French service of Radio Luxembourg, directing for three not find much response in English speaking territories. he about the end of a love affair. Certain of his songs, Was have traveled years the station's musical programming, and is now The same might well have applied to such as "Yesterday When I Young," working on promotion for the company. He is a regular if Mort Shuman and his associates had not decided to the world. contributor to the French newsweekly "L'Express" and introduce Brel's art to the New York public. "Jacques This is also true of a number of songs written by (What to the music business paper "Le Métier.") Brel is Alive, and Well, and Living in " was an Gilbert Bécaud most notably "Et Maintenant" enormous success-but just at the time when it looked Now My Love). A veritable bundle of dynamite, and La chanson française se porte bien. in Becaud, backed as though Brel was going to take the U.S. by storm, he cheerfully good-natured temperament, up by a fine team of lyricists, is a guarantee of packed In other words French songs are alive and well. Though, decided abruptly to abandon the stage and the music houses wherever he plays. unfortunately, their success tends to be limited largely hall. Next in the category come a whole string of popular to France. In international terms French songs and True to his word, this highly gifted poet has not been artists who sell records in highly satisfying quantities singers do not generally enjoy sensational success be- seen on stage for several years-but there should be and who can still pull in the crowds when they top the cause of the familiar handicap of the language barrier. more records soon because Btel has just signed a record- bill. Former jazz guitarist Sacha Distel, who wrote "The Nevertheless, hardly a year goes by without half a ing contract with Eddie Barclay-for life! Good Life," finds abundant success in France with his dozen French songs finding fame throughout the world After these two masters-Brassens and Brel-there simple, message -free songs; but he is also much admired "La Mer" by Charles Trenet and "Autumn are quite a number of excellent singer-songwriters who -from in Britain for his charm and sincerity. Leaves" by Prévert and Kosma, to "Let It Be Me" by achieve consistent success on record. Salvatore Adamo, whose singing has such conviction Becaud and Delanoë, and "Je t'Aime ... Moi Non Plus" Georges Moustaki, who composed "Milord," broke that he was able to score great success with his poetic by Serge Gainsbourg. back into the limelight recently after long years in the and rather old-fashioned songs at the height of the yé- French recording talent exists today in such wide doldrums with the engaging "Le Métèque" and actor yé boom, is another top artist whose record sales are diversity that it simplifies matters to make some rough Serge Reggiani has become a huge success on record- extremely substantial indeed. and perhaps rather arbitrary classifications. his first album on Polydor selling more than 500,000 In a similar class are Enrico Macias, Marcel Amont, France being a country of culture and poetry, she copies. Alain Barriere, and les Compagnons de la Chanson- has always boasted a number of great poets and whereas Leo Ferré, Jean Ferrat, , Pierre Per- all singing of serenity and sunshine and love of life. have issued their works in thin ret, Serge Lama and veteran Charles Trenet (who has a century ago they would French Crosby volumes, many of today's poets have married their written dozens of French standards) are other accom- Yves Montand is too heavily committed to his work verses to music and records. plished poet -singers. as an actor to record more than sporadically-which is One of these-and perhaps the greatest-is Georges Leading the category which can best be described a pity because he is a fine artist. And as for the cele- Brassens whose voice is redolent of rich old wood and as that of the French "crooners," is , brated Tino Rossi, he is still singing of moonlight kisses pipe tobacco. He records just one LP a year and within who is internationally known not only as a singer but with the same panache as he has evinced for almost 15 days of its release it becomes an immense best seller. also as a songwriter of distinction. Brassens' total sales run into millions, but, perhaps be - Aznavour recently packed the Olympic Theater for Continued on page F-27

JULIEN CLERC-made his mark in the French production of "Hair."

a from Fred Marks, managing THE MOST famous French artist of them all-Maurice FRANCOISE HARDY-survived the ye -ye NANA MOUSKOURI receiving gift her designation as now 82, pictured here with his first record, period. director of U.K., following Chevalier, & Tape Re- made in 1921 and the musicassette he recorded just the top female album seller of 1970 in the Record over two years ago. tailer Chart Survey.

MIREILLE MATHIEU-soon into world class?

ON TOP for ten years - the indestructible .

RAYMOND LEFEVRE, one of France's top three con- ductors -arrangers.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR-no one sings better than he of the end of a love affair.

RIKA ZARAI's big breakthrough came with the "Casatchok." Here she is seen receiving a gold disk from Philips director general Louis Hazen. Extreme left is , director a for life with Eddie Barclay (right). Theater, and on extreme right is Miss Zarai's JACQUES BREL signs contract of the left manager Charley Marouani. manager, Jean-Pierre Magnier. SERGE GAINSBOURG-a flair for cynical lyrics. On is Brel's

F-4 MAY 1, 1971, BILLBOARD