DANY LALLEMAND
© 2008 FREMEAUX & ASSOCIES
Conception : Dany Lallemand
Disques originaux, photos et documents : Collection Dany Lallemand.
Vifs remerciements à Ida Quicray.
english notes
This third volume highlighting the accordion is the chronological follow-up of the two preceding albums made in 1992 and 1993 by the much-missed guitarist Didier Roussin and which featured the forties, the period of Occupation. After Liberation, the accordion became the most popular instrument, being played in dances and ranging from the most prominent bals musette in Paris to the small rural festivities, equally enjoyed in fairs of all kinds and social occasions. Strangely enough, as from 1945, Tony Murena and to a lesser extent Gus Viseur, hardly recorded any more jazzy foxtrots as they did previously during the more gloomy years. The accordion giants got France to the dance floor with traditional rhythms – waltzes, javas, marches and tangos – and also with more exotic sounds – boleros, sambas, guarachas and the raspa. CD 1 features some of the veterans, artists who were already in the forefront in the thirties, such as Alexander, Vaissade and Deprince, and whose discs were still selling well after Liberation. However, this boxed set, particularly CD 2, deals essentially with the exceptional accordionists of the new post-war generation – those who took over from the rare virtuosos of the preceding decades. Some may be surprised that we have omitted some names associated with popular accordion music of the fifties, but we have retained only the most remarkable musicians.
CD N° 1
Accordionist Jean Vaissade was born in 1911 in Cougoussac in Lozère. He debuted in dances in the rue de Lappe and at the age of fifteen made his first recordings, with Django Reinhardt on the banjo! He played in all the bals musette in the French capital. His talent as a composer and melodist was recognized and his first works became huge hits in the thirties, including 22 titles recorded by Rina Ketty, his wife. In 1938 she recorded her immortal paso-doble ‘Sombreros et mantilles’. Jean Vaissade was wounded on the Belgian frontier in 1940 but returned to the studios in 1945. His paso-doble ‘La morena’ (CD1-N°1) was cut for Pathé in 1942 by singer Rose Avril. After Liberation, his discs were played during all festivities and in 1945 he composed ‘Le retour des cigognes’ (CD1-N°2). In the sixties, Vaissade worked uniquely on Auvergne folk. He passed away in 1979, leaving an enormous legacy of music. Maurice Alexander did not boast the same instrumental technique as Jean Vaissade but his career was very similar. Born in 1902, he began learning the accordion in 1916. In 1921 he started performing in the rue des Vertus and then at the Bousca and at the Petit Balcon and ‘Ca Gaze’. He recorded a large number of 78s, first for Parlophone and then for Columbia. His compositions were sung by the great stars of the day such as ‘Le Refrain des Chevaux de bois’ (Ray Ventura and his orchestra), ‘Tel qu’Il est’ and ‘La Môme catch-catch’ (Fréhel), ‘La Rue de notre Amour’ (Damia) and ‘Adèle’ (Bourvil). Alexander added an alto sax, trumpet and sometimes a xylophone to the traditional musette formula, giving a charmingly old-fashioned shade to his tunes. Here, we have selected two of his many compositions: ‘Java du Printemps’ (CD1-N°3) and ‘Brin d’Amour’ (CD1-N°4), sung by Lina Margy. Another legendary name of the early thirties is Adolphe Deprince who wrote in quantity and recorded for some fifteen record labels. Deprince was born in 1901 in Belgium where he became a virtuoso of the accordion. His compositions were not popular hits, excepting ‘Monsieur Li-Phang’ (CD1-N°5). ‘Après l’Orage’ (CD1-N°6) is a polka in the musette style. Adolph Deprince left us in 1995, aged 94. In this album Louis Ferrari is the only artist who played the accordion with a piano keyboard. He was born in Paris in 1910 and spent his childhood in Italy; Ferrari studied the piano-accordion at the age of eight and played in dance halls in Paris and its suburbs. He recorded for Parlophone, Odéon, Polydor, Festival and Fontana and owes his popularity to the radio show ‘On chante dans mon Quartier’, broadcast as from 1945, where he accompanied the candidates in a talent- spotting competition with its theme tune ‘On chante dans mon Quartier’ (CD1-N°7) sung by Jean-Fred Mélé. We can appreciate another dimension of his talent in ‘La Rabouine’ (CD1-N°8). Louis Ferrari died in 1987. Emile Prud’home was born in 1913 in Aubervilliers and boasts the largest discography of accordion music. He became a professional musician at an early age and played in famous dance halls in Paris including Chez Bousca and Le Tourbillon. In the mid-thirties, he was considered as the most representative of the true musette-style. In 1936, having recorded for various small firms, Prud’homme signed an exclusive contract with the Odéon label with whom he recorded almost 2000 titles before his death in 1974. We can admire his talent here in ‘Et ça repart’ (CD1-N°9) and in the polka ‘Le Merle chante’ (CD1-N°10). Another accordion giant was Emile Carrara who in 1948 founded the Club de l’Accordéon with his friends Emile Prud’homme, Tony Muréna and Gus Viseur. Carrara was born in 1915 in Paris and debuted in the Rue Monge dances before being hired at Maxim’s in 1936. During the forties, he recorded most of his compositions for Pathé, often heading a quartet.None of his titles can be considered as an accordion classic, apart from ‘Volubilis’ (CD1-N°11) and his biggest his was ‘Mon Amant de Saint-Jean’. After Liberation Carrara recorded his new compositions for Decca. In 1951 he cut Raymond Legrand’s superb waltz ‘Seul dans Paris’ (CD1-N°12). He passed away in 1973. Through his rhythm and phrasing, Jo Privat was much appreciated by dancers. Born in 1919 in Ménilmontant debuted in Rue des Vertus. In 1936 he played in the legendary Balajo in Rue de Lappe where he was billed for forty years. For his recordings he was always accompanied by the best Gypsy guitarists and he excelled as a composer who signed hundreds of titles including ‘Sa Préférée’ (CD1-N°13), ‘Mystérieuse’ (CD1-N°14), ‘Balajo’ (CD1-N°15) and ‘Valse fontôme’ (CD1-N°16). Jo Privat died in 1996. Along with Gus Viseur, Tony Murena and Louis Richardet, Charley Bazin was one of the creators of the swing-accordion style. Born in 1912 in Paris, he began learning the accordion at the age of fifteen and as from 1934 stood out as one of the capital’s best artists in the local dances. After the war and after playing in the Grande Roue and Chez Florence he played the accordion and guitar in Jacques Hélian’s orchestra. During this period he recorded ‘After you’ve gone’ (CD1-N°17). He later founded his own orchestra. He was also a talented composer as we can appreciate in ‘La valse du diable’ (CD1-N°18). He passed on in 2002. With his friends Gus Viseur, Jo Privat and Emile Prud’homme, Tony Murena still symbolizes the accordion world. Born in 1915 in Italy, he settled in France in 1923. He was hired in the most chic cabarets in Paris where he discovered jazz. In 1939 he signed an exclusive contract with the Odéon label. During Occupation and with the Frères Ferret on the guitar, he recorded a series of 78s. In 1951 he bought the dance hall Le Mirliton. This selection includes ‘La valse chinoise’ (CD1-N°19), ‘Qui me délivrera?’ (CD1-N°20) and ‘Adios Sevilla’ (CD1-N°21). Alas Tony Murena left us in 1971 at the age of 56.
CD N° 2
Gus Viseur, born in 1915 in Belgium, influenced several generations of accordionists. At the age of eight he began playing in a small amateur band and continued in bals musette such as Le petit jardin and the Bal Tholozé. In the early thirties he discovered jazz and was billed in the Pigalle district. At the Hot Club of France he met Django Reinhardt and the other marvellous Gypsy guitarists with whom he recorded many titles, often his own compositions. Still recording, Viseur lived in Canada from 1960 to 1969, but returned to France and recorded a few LPs for Barclay and Vogue. He died in 1974. His legacy includes ‘Sans rancune’ (CD2-N°1), co-signed with pianist Jacques Morino, and ‘Quinze mai’ (CD2-N°1). Everyone knows the flamboyant red-head Yvette Horner, born in Tarbes. Her talent was recognized both in France and abroad as she toured internationally. One of her most celebrated compositions remains ‘La Marche des Mineurs’ (CD2-N°3) and he ‘Galloping Comedian’ (CD2-N°4) portrays her immense talent. René Sudre is perhaps less-known than the afore-mentioned artists, but was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque in 1947 with ‘Mazurka-fantaisie’ (CD2-N°5). Sudre was born in 1921 and debuted at the age of sixteen in La Boule Rouge in a Gypsy band before going on to Chez Bousca, La Java and ‘Ca Gase’. He led a short life, passing away in 1969. Born in 1922 in Paris, André Beauvois started studying the accordion and piano at the age of four. He later played in various Parisian dance halls and recorded sixteen 78s for Riviera in the early fifties. Here, we can appreciate him in ‘Coeur ou Raison’ (CD2-N°6). Ferdinand Balta was born in Paris in 1919. As from 1935 he won many contests in Paris and Liège. He played in a large number of dance halls and was much in demand for recording sessions, in particular for film scores and to accompany singers. From 1949 to 1961 he played with Yves Montand, Guliette Gréco, Guy Béart and many others. He was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque in 1949 with ‘Coup de Tête’ (CD2-N°7) and his talent is also apparent in ‘Parlons notes’ (CD2-N°8). Another accordion giant is Marcel Azzola, born in 1927 in Pantin. He replaced René Sudre in Georges Streha’s orchestra at the Empire cabaret and went on to perform in Chez Gineston, ‘Ca Gaze’ and Chez Bousca. He began recording anonymously in 1949 and then recorded in his name. In the sixties he teamed up with pianist Lina Bossatti – a remarkable classical duo. Azzola also accompanied Yves Montand, Juliette Gréco, Mouloudji and Jacques Brel. He also composed superb pieces such as ‘Rue de la Chine’ (CD2-N°9). His breath-taking positioning and swing are to be noted in ‘Règlement de Compte’ (CD2-N°10). Charles Verstraete was born in 1924 in Wattrelos and won his first contest at the age of twelve. He founded a dance orchestra but he mainly concentrated on the trombone. The samba ‘Mira mia’ (CD2-N°11) is in the traditional musette style. He left us in 2003. Gilbert Roussel can also be ranked among the greatest virtuosos of the accordion. His entire discography is of high quality but here we have selected his sober version of ‘Caprice espagnol’ (CD2-N°12) and ‘Croix de Malte’ (CD2-N°13). Roussel died in 2002. Emile Decotty, born in 1922, was also often called for by the recording studios, either at the head of his musette ensemble and as a member of orchestras of various styles and to accompany singers. After Liberation he played in the Parisian cabaret Le Drap d’Or and then in Le Tourbillon. ‘Cano…Canoë’ (CD2-N°15), composed by Mick Micheyl, we can appreciate this master of rhythm. André Astier (1923-1994) is also featured in this tribute to the great masters of the accordion. In ‘Le Canari tyrolien’ (CD2-N°15), may not portray his talent, but his best pieces were made after the period covered on this album. Loulou Legrand, born in 1926, played in all France’s dance halls and often abroad also. He debuted at the Chantilly and played at Chez Bousca for two years and began recording in 1951. This selection includes ‘Too young’ (CD2-N°16), Nat King Cole’s unforgettable creation. Fernand Verstraete, not relation of his aforementioned friend Charles, was born in 1925 in Roubaix. He was both an excellent trumpeter and accordionist. Under the name of ‘Trumpet Boy’, he played in hundreds of galas heading his brilliant band. In ‘Boogie-valse’ (CD2-N°17) we can not his technique, modernity and audacity. He passed away in 1992. Joss Baselli (aka Jo Basile) was born in 1926 in Somain and in the early fifties became the faithful and efficient accompanist of Patachou. He first recorded in 1951 for Saturne and then for Philips cut some superb singles including Charles Trenet’s ‘Où sont-ils donc?’. He suffered a fatal heart attack in 1982. Maurice Vittenet was born in 1928 in Saint-Dizier and in 1951 won the Accordion World Cup in Paris. Here we have selected ‘Deux Minutes à Milan’ (CD2-N°19). Maurice Vittenet passed away in 1988. Louis Corchia was born in 1935 and at the age of 16 won the World Accordion Trophy in London. In the mid-fifties he founded his own band and cut his first 78s for Vogue which were followed by some singles. Corchia still plays in France in shows and galas. The waltz ‘Sentiments’ (CD2-N°20) was recorded in 1953 was written by Louis along with Jacques Faivre, better known as Toni Jacque. This selection closes with ‘Tickled Pink’ (CD2-N°21) and the Frères Domergue – André and Louis born in Paris in 1920. Although much appreciated in France and Europe in general, the brothers recorded little. Unfortunately we could not feature all the deserving artists in this album, in particular the Médinger Brothers, Etienne Lorin, Louis Ledrich, Jo Moutet and others who mainly recorded after 1954: Maurice Larcange and Jacky Noguez, Joé Rossi, Armand Lassagne and Jean Corti. We hope to include them in a future compilation.
Adapted in English by Laure WRIGHT
From the French text of Dany LALLEMAND
© 2008 FREMEAUX & ASSOCIES
CD 1
1. Jean VAISSADE et son ensemble
La Morena (Paso-doble) (Jean Vaissade) 3’02 / Gramophone K 8695 OLA 4182-1 Enr. Octobre 1943/sortie juin 1944
2. Jean VAISSADE et son ensemble
(Refrain Roger Gerlé) Le retour des cigognes (Valse) (Chanty - Jean Vaissade) 3’01 / La Voix de son Maître K 8766 OLA 4498-1 mars 1946
3. Maurice ALEXANDER et son ensemble
Java du printemps (Java) (Maurice Alexander) 2’52 / Columbia DF 3032 CL 8065-1 octobre 1945
4. Maurice ALEXANDER et son ensemble
Brin d’amour (Valse) (M. Alexander - Maurice Denoux) 2’22 Columbia DF 3017 CL 8027-1 juin 1945
5. DEPRINCE et son ensemble
Monsieur Li-Phang (Rumba) / (A. Deprince - Francis Baxter) 2’53 Gramophone K 8874 OLA 5006 -1 juillet 1947
6. DEPRINCE et son ensemble
Après l’orage (Polka à variations) (Adolphe Deprince) 2’43 La Voix de son Maître K 9114 OLA 6092-21 octobre 1951
7. Louis FERRARI et son ensemble
(Refrain Jean-Fred Mêlé) On chante dans mon quartier (Valse) / (F. Blanche - R.Marbot) 2’18 Odéon 281.692 KI 9740 -1 mars 1946
8. Louis FERRARI et son ensemble
(sans chant) La Rabouine (Valse) (Louis Ferrari) 2’49 Odéon 281.779 KI 9940 -1 janvier 1947
9. Emile PRUD’HOMME et son ensemble
(Refrain Roger Varnay) Et ça repart (Java) (Sergelys - Emile Prud’homme) 2’53 Odéon 282.118 KI 10.734 -1 septembre 1949
10. Emile PRUD’HOMME et son ensemble
(sans chant) Le merle chante (Polka) (Emile Prud’homme) 2’52 Odéon 282.353 KI 11.295 -1 décembre 1950
11. Emile CARRARA et son ensemble Volubilis
(Valse) (Emile Carrara) 2’34 Pathé PA 2254 CPT 5518-1 janvier 1943
12. Emile CARRARA et son ensemble Seul dans Paris
(Valse) / (R. Legrand)(du film Seul dans Paris) 2’42 Decca SF 21.552 P 1074 septembre 1951
13. Jo PRIVAT et l’Orchestre Musette Roger Vaysse
Sa préférée (Valse musette) / (Jo Privat) 3’09 Pathé PA 2339 CPT 5996-1 septembre 1945
14. Jo PRIVAT et l’Orchestre Musette Roger Vaysse Mystérieuse
(Valse swing) (Jo Privat) 2’59 Pathé PA 2339 CPT 5995-1 septembre 1945
15. Jo PRIVAT et son ensemble Balajo
(Valse) (Jo Privat) 2’07 Pacific 1548 AI 1410 janvier 1950
16. Jo PRIVAT et son ensemble
Valse fantôme / (Valse) (Jo Privat- E. Cheni) 2’51 Pacific 1752 AI 1479 novembre 1950
17. Charley BAZIN et son Quintette
After you’ve gone (Fox) (Kramer) 3’02 Sofradi S 1267 S 2383 octobre 1945
18. Charley BAZIN et son ensemble
Valse du diable (Valse) / (Charley Bazin) 2’28 Pathé PA 2917 CPT 8789-21 mars 1952
19. Tony MURÉNA et son ensemble
Valse chinoise (Joseph Colombo - Georges Ghestem) 3’09 Odéon 281.842 KI 10.069-1 septembre 1947
20. Tony MURÉNA et son ensemble
Qui me délivrera? (Boléro) (Nicole Louvier) 2’17 Odéon 282.868 KI 12.496-21 octobre 1953
21. Tony MURÉNA et son ensemble
Adios Sevilla (Paso-doble) (Tony Muréna - Jacques Chanzol) 2’26 Festival MU 174 FA 2163 juillet 1954
CD 2
1. Gus VISEUR et son ensemble
Sans rancune (Valse) (Gus Viseur - Jacques Morino) 3’08 Ducretet-Thomson X 8197 EN 215 B 1950
2. Gus VISEUR et son ensemble
Quinze mai (Valse) (Gus Viseur) 3’12 Ducretet-Thomson X 8711 SEL 1063 janvier 1953
3. Yvette HORNER et son ensemble
Marche des mineurs (Marche) / (Yvette Horner) 2’38 Pathé PA 2662 CPT 7153-1 septembre 1949
4. Yvette HORNER et son ensemble
Galloping Comedian (D. Kabalevsky) 2’31 Pathé PA 2868 CPT 8639 -21 février 1952
5. René SUDRE et son ensemble
Mazurka – fantaisie (Médard Ferrero) 2’01 Pacific MC 723 ST 1512-1 1946
6. André BEAUVOIS et son ensemble
Cœur ou raison (Valse) / (Francis Baxter - Géo Tournet) 2’54 Riviera N° 1180 P 8433-1P 1950
7. Freddy BALTA et son ensemble
Coup de tête (Java - mazurka) (Freddy Balta) 2’31 Selmer SM 314 Part 6368-1 novembre 1948
8. Freddy BALTA et son ensemble
Parlons notes (Valse) (Freddy Balta) / 2’41 Ducretet -Thomson X 8088 Part 7193-1 juin 1949
9. Marcel AZZOLA et son ensemble
Rue de la Chine (Mazurka variations) / (Marcel Azzola - René Duprat) 2’39 La Voix de son Maître K 9113 OLA 6097-21 octobre 1951
10. Marcel AZZOLA et son ensemble
Règlement de compte (Valse-jazz) (Pierre Ferret - Jo Privat) 3’01 La Voix de son Maître K 9223 OLA 7034-21 septembre 1954
11. Charles VERSTRAETE et son ensemble musette
Mira mia (Samba) (Marcus) 2’49 Philips 70.055 H 2399-3 ACP novembre 1952
12. Gilbert ROUSSEL et son ensemble
Caprice espagnol (Valse) / (Roger Rosso) 3’03 Polydor 590.245 0843 3 ACP février 1950
13. Gilbert ROUSSEL et son ensemble
Croix de Malte (Valse) / (Gilbert Roussel) 2’27 Polydor 590.254 1045 2 ACP octobre 1950
14. Emile DECOTTY et son orchestre musette
Cano… Canoë (Baïon) (Mick Micheyl) 3’11 Pathé PA 3147 CPT 11.586 -21 B mars 1955
15. André ASTIER et son ensemble
Canari tyrolien (Valse tyrolienne) (Edouard Duleu) 2’46 Columbia DF 3530 CL 9750-21 avril 1954
16. Loulou LEGRAND et son ensemble
Trop jeune (Too young) (Slow-fox ) /(S. Lippman) 3’03 Ducretet-Thomson X 8373 SEL 613 1951
17. Fernand VERSTRAETE et ses rythmes
Boogie-valse (Valse) (Fernand Verstraete) 2’40 Victory 9353 BN 618 juin 1952
18. Joss BASELLI et son ensemble
Où sont-ils donc? (Fox) (Charles Trenet) 3’02 Philips (45 EP) 424.027 Ca 1955
19. Maurice VITTENET et son ensemble
Deux minutes à Milan (Valse) (Jo Privat - A. Tedeschi) Decca SF 21.669 P 1139 2’56 novembre 1951
20. Louis CORCHIA, son accordéon, et son ensemble
Sentiments (Valse) (Louis Corchia - Jacques Faivre) 2’55 Vogue V 12.021 53 V 4424 1953
21. Les FRERES DOMERGUE
“Les Jumeaux de l’Accordéon” Tickled Pink (Marshall Ross) 2’35 La Voix de son Maître K 9149 OLA 6576-21 avril 1953
CD ACCORDEON Musette Virtuoses Paris 1944-1954 Volume 3 © Frémeaux & Associés (frémeaux, frémaux, frémau, frémaud, frémault, frémo, frémont, fermeaux, fremeaux, fremaux, fremau, fremaud, fremault, fremo, fremont, CD audio, 78 tours, disques anciens, CD à acheter, écouter des vieux enregistrements, albums, rééditions, anthologies ou intégrales sont disponibles sous forme de CD et par téléchargement.)