Live At The Marvelous Tiny Theater by Michel BG Yves.

Bonjour. It is raining so I won’t be going out today. That gives me the opportunity to tell you about the music I have been listening to recently. As you know, I have always enjoyed listening to French chanson and have written previously about the likes of Francoise Hardy and Marie Laforet. Today I want to tell you about another recording I have been listening to for the past two days. It is Live At The Marvelous Tiny Theater by Michel BG Yves. Firstly, I should declare an interest because I know Michel. I first met him and his Danish wife Marchen in Dublin 2015 when we were enroute to Belfast for Van Morrison’s 70^th birthday celebrations. Our paths have crossed a few times since then in places like Bristol and at Nell’s Club in London. 

Michel’s main passions in life appear to be gastronomy and music. It seems that ever since he retired from being a chef de cuisine he has had more time to develop his music skills. I first became aware of his musical talent when he posted videos on Facebook of himself playing the saxophone. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength and has emerged as a great singer. His sons are also accomplished musicians on the Danish music scene. Recently Michel converted his basement into a tiny theatre where he hosts concerts for family and friends, and it was in the Tiny Theater that the 20 songs I received two days ago were recorded.

I have enjoyed listening to the songs immensely, and it has been very educational for me learning more about French music, translating the titles and lyrics to find out the meaning of the songs. As well as listening to Michel’s recording, I have also listened to some of the original versions by other artists. I was surprised to find out that I recognised some of the tunes. The bolero style Et Maintenant for instance. It was originally a big hit in France for Gilbert Becaud who wrote it. I remember the English version What Now My Love by Shirley Bassey and later by Sonny & Cher. 

I won’t discuss every song here, but I think my favourite song on first listen was the very poetic and emotional Les Gens Du Nord (People Of The North) written by the Algerian exile Enrico Macias, but now after further listening I like all 20 songs. La Maladie D’Amour was a popular folk song which has been covered by many people including Sacha Distel. Au Pays Des Mervielles De Juliet sounds quite humorous to me. I think it translates as The Wonderland Of Juliet, but I’m not sure of the songs meaning. Serge Gainsbourg wrote Requiem Pour Un Con which was featured in a film starring Jean Gabin. 

I believe ‘Un Con’ means a jerk or an idiot. When I looked up Faut Pas Pleurer Comme Ca today I found out that it was recorded by Gerard Depardieu. It is quite easy to understand the meaning of J’aime Les Filles (I Like Girls). Toute La Musique Que J’aime is a most enjoyable blues song. I have always liked the songs of the genius Jacques Brel ever since discovering his music via the likes of David Bowie, Scott Walker and Alex Harvey. Michel sings a brilliant version of Voir Un Ami Pleurer which featured on Jacques Brel’s final album before he died in 1977. Many people will recognise Les Feuilles Morte (The Dead Leaves). The lyrics were written by Jacques Prevert and then Johnny Mercer wrote an English version called Autumn Leaves. Among the many recordings of the song there was one by Edith Piaf in French and English. 

Il Est Cinq Heures by Jacques Dutronc was voted the greatest French single of all time in a poll, and Michel’s version is just as good in my opinion. The most excellent live concert ends with Il Voyage En Solitaire written by Gerard Manset in which Michel encourages the audience to join in with the chorus, before leaving the stage with the applause ringing in his ears. Highly recommended. I have shared one song Les Gens Du Nord below, and you can find all twenty songs on youtube. Cheers.