Twiste et Chante

I was never a big fan of Sylvie Vartan - I am more of a Francoise Hardy Person myself.

Sylvie was always a bit too "Roque" for me. You know, this typical French interpretation of ROCK, which eternally resonates between Iggy Pop and Johnny Halliday (Sylvie´s husband).

Of course Sylvie did also some covers of contemporary hits in the sixties. I dare say that she didn´t know when to say "no" at times. Her versions of "Twist and Shout" and "Money" she did on Shindig! are pretty exotic.

But she did hit the nail on the head with a French version of "I can´t help myself. The Four Tops hit becomes "Garde moi dans ta poche" and La Vartan almost invents a new style of twist-dancing in this "Scopitone"-clip. Check also the other dancers! It´s great fun.




Here is "Twist and Shout".

Francoise Hardy Marathon

Is there anything more beautiful and mood evoking than a Francoise Hardy chanson? Yes, watching her sing!

I only wanted to post "Les temps du souvenirs" because it´s main melody was used by Barry Adamson on "Something wicked this way comes", which was later used in a key scene in Lynch´s "Lost Highway".
But then I realized I had opened a treasure box of fantastic "Scopitone" films and tv-show appearances of this knock-out beauty.
Even live appearances in Monte Carlo, where she plays for Grace Kelly can be found and I was marvelling at her voice, which always sounded like she was living inside a mobile echo-chamber.

So here is a small selection:

Mon amie la rose



Her first hit in 1962, which was actually a b-side.
Tou les garcons et les filles


Now isn´t this fantastic???
tout ce qu'on dit


Well known. Originally penned by Adriano Celentano. The fade-out is goose-bump inducing!
La maison ou j'ai grandi


Les temps du souvenirs


Very 60s pop. A bit like the Walker Brothers.
Non ce n´est pas un reve


Are you still there? Mesmerizing beauty!
Voila