Les Swingle Singers - "Getting Romantic" Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, 1965 (Philips)

My love for Michel Legrand led me to Les Swingle Singers, due that his sister Christiane Legrand is part of the ensemble.  Basically The (or Les) Swingle Singers are jazz scat singers, but mostly did classical compositions, and usually the very famous pieces such as Chopin's "Étude (Op.25 No. 2) and Beethoven's "Allegro (Sonate Op; 26) and so forth.  A mixture of tenor, bass, and alto vocals, with a backing of a stand-up bass and drums, gives a full-sound that is right in the middle of jazz and classical.  Too light to be jazz, and too low-brow for classical, it's the ultimate bachelor's pad music, yet the singing is unbelievable. 

As much as possible I try to follow the late great Christiane Legrand (1930-2011) as much as possible. It's her vocals on Procol Harum's "Fires (Which Burnt Brightly) off the classic "Grand Hotel" album that first got me started, and of course, when I found out the connection that Michel is her brother, I had to fulfill my collector's instinct.   She also has done work with her brother on some of the Jacques Demy soundtracks as well.   Still, for the beginner, I strongly recommend "Getting Romantic" which is a sampler of the more 'amour' melodies from Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Shubert. 

Michel Legrand/Jacques Demy - "Le Cinéma en Chanté" CD, Compilation, 2009, France (Universal)

There was once a better place in the world, and Jacques Demy films represented that world.   To go to a movie theater and to be transported into a landscape that makes happiness.  The sadness is when one leaves the theater and realize that the world hasn't changed outside the theater.  To prolong the mood, it's best to have this compilation of music by Michel Legrand, composer for Demy's classic films.  

At heart, Legrand is a jazz guy, and his music has a swing to it, but it also expresses a happy-go-lucky attitude even when love turns sour.  The sadness in his music is just another layer of clothing that embraces the characters in the Demy narratives.  This CD is a great compilation, and therefore a magnificent introduction to the aural world of Demy and Legrand.  It is not complete, but it does feature the central music for all of the Demy/Legrand film projects.  For my listening taste, I love "Lola" and the Jean Cocteau like (a tribute?) "Peau D' Ane."   It reflects the romance of the films or the haunting qualities of the characters.   Overall there is no such thing as a bad Legrand piece of music.  

V.A./Jean-Luc Godard - "Bandes Originales 1959-1980" 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition (500 copies) (Wildcat Strikes Disques)

Being a long-time fan of Jean-Luc Godard's cinema, it's interesting how important the music or sound is to all his films.   I don't imagine Godard ever thought about the separation of sound and image, but more with the relationship between the two mediums.  Over the years I have collected both on vinyl and CD numerous soundtrack compilations or the original soundtrack to Godard's works, but this hand-made bootleg, with the images pasted on the record sleeve, is perhaps the best of the lot.  

This compilation on vinyl goes from 1959 (A Bout de Souffle) to 1980 (Sauve qui Peut La Vie), and what one would consider the iconic Godard years.  Due to avoiding the legal issue, this album is the best representation of Godard and sound/music of those years.   The one thing that struck me is the sadness in the music. Composed by various writers such as Martial Solal, Michel Legrand, Georges Delerue, Paul Misraki, Antoine Duhamel, Gabriel Yared, and singing by Chantal Goya (Masculin Feminin) which is superb French Yé-Yé and the ultra-rare (and the excellent) Claude Channes' "Mao Mao." The instrumental passages are very somber when you listen to it without the Godard images.  Not sure if Godard instructed the mood that is in the music for his film, but the above composers all wrote magnificent pieces for the Godard soundtrack. 

The album is not that easy to locate, but one can through by chance your local store, or more likely on the Internet.   If you are a fan of Godard, it's a must that you obtain this specific recording.  Beyond that the music here is gorgeous. 

Various - "Les Zazous: 1940 - 1945" 2 x vinyl, LP, Compilation, 1977 (Pathé Marconi)

Truly a dangerous underground movement of swing kids during the French Occupation from 1940 to 1944.  The Vichy Administration didn't look upon these French kids with a great deal of love. Musically it's all swing jazz, but the nerve behind their swing dancing and partying in the horrible world of the Occupation is one of wonder and the beauty of youth itself. 

Les Zazous were hardcore dance and fashion lunatics who pretty much ignored the Occupation like it didn't exist, but of course, it did dangerously.  When Jews were forced to wear the Yellow Star, so did Les Zazous, but they did it voluntarily, and within the yellow star it said "Swing."  The men dressed in long draped jackets, zootsuit pants, but the cuff rolled up, and hair was worn very long but combed back in Rockabilly (before that) style. Often they dine at Vegetarian restaurants.  Also, they like to carry around umbrellas that are rolled up and never been used.   They were fond of carrying newspapers or books in the English language.  Not to read but as a fashion statement.   This you can imagine was an easy target for the Vichy cops as well as the Fascist thugs.   Often when caught they were either killed or forced to get a haircut, which must have been horrible for a dandy like-minded Zazous. 

They would have secret record parties where they danced to American (banned of course) and French jazz music.  These are club kids with an edge.  "Les Zazous" is an album of music made at the time of the occupation, and what I presume was favored by the Les Zazous.   The famous names for Americans are Charles Trenet and Django Reinhardt.  The rest are known in  France, such as Michel Legrand's dad Raymond, who had a famous orchestra at the time, Gus Viseur (gypsy accordionist), Jacques Pills (ain't that a punk rock name), and others.   Some of the songs do have the word "zazous"  The word more likely came from American genius musician Cab Calloway, from his song "Zah Zuh Zah."

This double album came out in 1977, and to this day, there are not a lot of photographs of Les Zazous.  The images that are in the record are all drawings from that period.   A snapshot of a time that was horrible, yet the music is upbeat, happy, and looking forward to better days.  The spirit of music cannot be crushed that easily. 

Michel Legrand - "Eva" OST, Album, Limited Edition, Vinyl, 2016 (Doxy Cinematic)

Joseph Losey's first choice for a composer for his film "Eva" was Miles Davis.  That didn't happen, but his second choice, and a friend of Miles,  Michel Legrand, did a magnificent score to the film.  Legrand makes large gestures within his arrangements.  There are usually other melodies within the big melody, and it's very much like an overactive mind at work.   This 1962 film, starring Jeanne Moreau,  is a seductive tale of seduction and desire, which makes it a perfect canvas for Legrand to work his magic on. 

I first discovered the soundtrack through the medium of the CD, and it was issued and made in Japan.  I bought my copy at a Shibuya swanky pop-up shop within the Paco shopping complex in Tokyo.  Legrand and Tokyo is a good fit, as well as, of course, Paris.  There's two Billie Holiday cuts here as well.  "Loveless Love" and "Willow Weep For Me."  It fits the mood of the film, but also a nice little treat in the Legrand world.  

This release is a limited edition of 500.  Not impossible to find, but not the easiest as well.  Doxy Cinematic is a very interesting label, that focuses on soundtrack music that has fallen in the cracks of copyright issues.  Often being a limited release is a technique to get through any legal issues. Nevertheless, Doxy does great reissues or even albums that technically exist such as "Eva."  I believe the soundtrack came out in 1962 as a 7" EP release.   And as I mentioned before, Legrand is always a treat.  

Michel Legrand & Emil Stern - "Twenty Moods for Pianos" Vinyl, LP, Album,

In one word to describe this album: charm.  There is something about Michel Legrand that rings out all the ugly emotion within me and turn it all into pure bliss.  Hearing his music throughout the years just makes me happy.  I love his soundtrack work (especially with the legendary Jacques Demy), pop songs, elevator music, and his jazz playing with such as Miles Davis.  Even his vocals are fantastic, and the album he did with Jack Jones, superb! 

The beauty of Michel Legrand is that he masters all sorts of music, yet, he remains French sounding.  Even his recordings with American Be-Bop legendary greats sounds like a French man playing with the dudes from New York City - and yet, it's incredible.  And then on top of that, he did a whole album of just him playing on the piano, Erik Satie music.   What is there not to like about him?  Here he teams up with another French pianist/musician Emil Stern.  There are 20 songs on this album that goes by quickly and incredibly enjoyable.  Backed by a stand-up bass and drums, this is a dynamic adventure into the Left as well as the Right Bank of Paris culture.  There are songs by Gilbert Becaud, and oddly enough Eddie Constantine, who was the leading actor in Godard's "Alphaville."  He was an American who somehow got himself in France and became a massive European star.  I knew he sang (they all do you know) but he also wrote two pieces on this album.  There's also a pair of Cole Porter songs -of course, dealing with Pariee.   

As mentioned, like all of Legrand's work, there is a charm to its music or performance. It's not a sickly cute charm, but one of great character and Legrand strikes me as a professional and artist who always gives his best.  So yeah, in essence, this is music to have a drink to before dinner.  The only darkness on this album is the color of the vinyl.   A great find for me at Rockaway Records a few years ago.  Researching this record, it came from South Africa, but not sure of its release date.  I guess that the release date is in the early 50s before Legrand really got huge.  His dad was a very successful orchestrational leader, and his sister, Christiane Legrand is a God-given talent as a singer.  A great family that's full of beautiful music.  I'm happy. 

"Henri Salvador Alias Henry Cording and his Original Rock and Roll Boys" CD, Album, France, 2002/1956 (Philips)

The first French Rock n' Roll and it may have been a joke, but alas, it does rock.  Henri Salvador is a jewel in the French music world.  Entertainer, incredible jazz guitarist, songwriter, and humorist.  Also a great pal of Boris Vian, who signed him to Philips, in his later career as an A&R man for a record label, after a career in writing, translating, singing, songwriting, and of course, engineer.  Vian and Salvador wrote what sounds like a parody of rock, played by French jazz musicians.  This originally 10" release (Oh, how I wish I own that version) in 1956, saw the presence of rock entering the French market place.  My guess is that Vian, a total Jazz-head, probably liked the Black American elements of rock n' roll and not that crazy about the commercial push of that genre.  But that's just an educated guess on my part.  Half the album is Salvador/Vian, and the other is Vian/Michel Legrand songs.  Big band, honking horns, excellent cutting electric guitar, and Salvador singing the absurd lyrics by Vian.   Superb music. 

Various - Jean-Pierre Melville - "Le Circle Noir" CD, Compilation, 2008 (Universal Music)

As far as I know, this is the only compilation of soundtrack music to Jean-Pierre Melville's cinema.  I can't think of anything more pleasurable than being in a theater in front of a Melville image/narration.    The word "perfection" comes to mind.  Not only for the mind but the physical pleasure of being glued to one's seat and watching the world of French gangsters do what they do best: drink, rob, and existential dialogue.  

"Le Cercle Noir" is a CD that came out in 2008 that pretty much covers all of Melville's film work.  We have the great theme by Jo Boyer doing "Bob Le Flambeur" as well as the haunted score for Le Samouraï."  For a CD, the packaging is great with a wonderful essay both in French and in English.  Not the easiest CD to find, but very much worth the hunt.  I think I got mine in Paris, which is odd because usually, I have a hard time locating French New Wave soundtracks in that city, even though the CD is made in France.  Japan tends to be the capital of French New Wave albums/CDs. 

ist Hide Credits

		Bob Le Flambeur (1956)
1	–Jo Boyer	Thème De Bob Composed By, Trumpet – Jo BoyerPerformer – L'Orchestre D'Eddie Barclay*	2:32
		Deux Hommes Dans Manhattan (1959)
2	–Christian Chevallier	Deux Hommes Dans Manhattan (Générique)	1:51
3	–Christian Chevallier	Déambulation Nocturne	2:07
4	–Christian Chevallier	Filature	2:00
5	–Christian Chevallier	Street In Manhattan Lyrics By – Jo WarfieldVocals – Glenda Leigh	3:52
		Léon Morin, Prêtre (1961)
6	–Martial Solal	Léon Morin Composed By – Martial SolalHarmonica – Albert Raisner	1:54
		Le Doulos (1962)
7	–Paul Misraki	Le Doulos (Générique)	3:22
8	–Paul Misraki	Jazz Rapide	3:17
9	–Paul Misraki	Final	2:16
		L'Aîné Des Ferchaux (1963)
10	–Georges Delerue	Les Appalaches Composed By – Georges Delerue	4:36
		Le Samouraï (1967)
11	–François De Roubaix	Le Samouraï Orchestrated By, Directed By – Eric Demarsan	2:03
12	–François De Roubaix	Fatalité / La Blessure Orchestrated By, Directed By – Eric Demarsan	3:09
		L'Armée Des Ombres (1969)
13	–Eric Demarsan	Thème De Gerbier	3:13
14	–Eric Demarsan	Le 20 Octobre 1942	1:38
15	–Eric Demarsan	Mathilde / Les Barraquements	3:05
		Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
16	–Eric Demarsan	Le Cercle Rouge	1:50
17	–Eric Demarsan	Quand Les Hommes Ont Rendez-vous	1:08
18	–Eric Demarsan	Final Inédit	4:03
		Un Flic (1972)
19	–Michel Colombier	Un Monsieur Distingué	3:20
20	–Michel Colombier	Un Casse	2:57
21	–Michel Colombier	C'est Ainsi Que Les Choses Arrivent Lyrics By – Charles AznavourVocals – Isabelle Aubret	3:58
		Musique Inédite Pour Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
22	–Michel Legrand	Chassés-Croisés	2:43
23	–Michel Legrand	Visions	2:49
24	–Michel Legrand	Engrenages (Final)	2:21

Various - Jean-Luc Godard "Histoire(s) de Musique" CD, Compilation, 2007 (Universal Music)

I have a habit of picking up any collection of music that was used in Jean-Luc Godard's films.  There are lots of collections or compilations out there and it's impossible for me to choose the best one.  All are great!   So, reader, you have to take that in, that I'm just a super-fan with no critical judgment whatsoever on the subject matter of Godard's various soundtracks.  There is a Japanese CD compilation that is excellent and I wrote about it here:  http://toshberman.blogspot.com/2017/04/va-bandes-originales-des-films-de-jean.html

I bought "Histoire(s) de Musique" in Tokyo about ten years ago.  For some odd reason, it's not difficult to find French New Wave soundtracks on CD in Japan.  This collection put together by Universal Music is excellent.  The one unique cut that the other's don't have is the song "Mao Mao" sung by Claude Channes and from the film "La Chinoise."   This album covers all the Godard films from À bout de souffle ("Breathless") to Sauve Qui Peut (La Vie).  So the time frame is from 1959 to 1980.  The classic Godard years and the music are excellent.  Martial Solal, Michel Legrand, the great Georges Delerue score for "Contempt" as well as Paul Misraki, Antoine Duhamel and Gabriel Yared. All wonderful soundtrack composers doing their best iconic work. 

Also the CD has great text with nice photographs.  Do get it!

Erik Satie/Michel Legrand - "Piano Works" CD, Album, 1997 (Erato)

Some years ago I found this collection of music by Erik Satie in the budget bin at Tower Records. What surprised me when I found it, was that Michel Legrand is the pianist.  Why this surprised me is a foolish response on my behalf.  For one, most pianists who do Satie's piano music are usually from the classical world.  Legrand is well-known for his compositions in the soundtrack and pop world.  And is a noted jazz player, who made recordings with Miles Davis and others in the 1950s.  Still, it makes perfect sense that Legrand would do an album of Satie's piano music.  They do share a common ground besides that they are both French of course.  What the bridge is between the two composers is a love of melody that is full of air and a certain amount of lightness.  I also suspect that they share a sense of humor as well.

And even beyond that, both Satie and Legrand have collaborated with other artists.  Legrand with his soundtrack work, specifically with Jacques Demy, and Satie's work with Picasso, Rene Clair, and Picabia.  Legrand's playing of Satie's music is actually a perfect fit.  For those who don't know Satie's work, this album in a pretty good introduction.  Although through my past, it's the Aldo Ciccolini recordings for Angel Records that I think are the essential recordings. 

Tracklist 

1	Gymnopédies - 1. Lent Et Douloureux
	Sonatine Bureaucratique
2	1. Allegro
3	2. Andante
4	3. Vivace
	-
5	Gymnopédies - 2. Lent Et Triste
	Sports Et Divertissements
6	Choral Inappétissant
7	La Balancoire
8	La Chasse
9	La Comedie Italienne
10	Le Reveil De La Mariée
11	Colin-Maillard
12	La Peche
13	Le Yachting
14	Le Bain De Mer
15	Le Carnaval
16	Le Golf
17	La Pieuvre
18	Les Courses
19	Les Quatre-Coins
20	Le Pique-Nique
21	Le Water-Chute
22	Le Tango
23	Le Traineau
24	Le Flirt
25	Le Feu D'Artifice
26	Le Tennis
	-
27	Gymnopédies - 3. Lent Et Grave
	4 Préludes Flasques (Pour Un Chien)
28	1. Voix D'Interieur
29	2. Idylle Cynique
30	3. Chanson Canine
31	4. Avec Camaraderie
	6 Pièces De La Période 1906-1913
32	1. Désespoir Agréable
33	2. Effronterie
34	3. Poésie
35	4. Prélude Canin
36	5. Profondeur
37	6. Songe Creux
	2 Rêveries Nocturnes
38	1. Pas Vite
39	2. Très Modérément
	Chapitres Tournés En Tous Sens
40	1. Celle Qui Parle Trop
41	2. Le Porteur De Grosses Pierres
42	3. Regrets Des Enfermes
	-
43	Caresse
	Avant-Dernières Pensées
44	1. Idylle: Modere, Je Vous Prie, à Debussy
45	2. Aubade, à Paul Dukas
46	3. Meditation, à Albert Roussel
	Jack In The Box, Pantomime For Piano
47	1. Prélude
48	2. Entr'Acte
49	3. Finale