Vive les chansons de Kiki! ♪♫♪

In the year of 1957, a lad by the name of Christian Ysaye entered the bright and brazen world; location the Belgian capital, Brussels. What marked this boy out from the rest of the flock was his family musical legacy, his father Jacques Ysaye was an established orchestra conductor, while his grandpa was Eugene Ysaye, famous in his homeland and beyond as a composer and violinist. Obviously some of this talent rubbed off on Christian and so! at the tender age of 8 and a half the newly baptised Kiki embarked upon his musical adventure with his first record in 1965 under the direction of his dad. Employing his pysdeoneum of Jack Say, Jacques wrote, produced and over saw most of his son's records - all though Kiki did have a hand in penning his own songs - natch! This first record in question was the release "C'est Parti Mon Kiki" on the Palette record label. Even at this age Kiki's boundless joie de vivre comes though - singing with a playful maturity beyond his years. On the EP release is the amazing "Vive Les Chansons Yé-Yé" which by its very name could be the theme of the whole genre and was one of the songs written by the man himself. Moving on to 1967 came perhaps Kiki's recording opus with the amazing Bond-inspired "L'Agent Secret" - perhaps one of the finest examples of it's kind! Ok, now to 1968, a bumber year which saw the release of Kiki's last four EPs; “La légende du petit sapin", "Kiki Va Piano" and ‘Kiki à l’opéra." More amazing Yé-yé goodness is thus released to the world! Highlights from these include Les Grenouilles, L'Affreux Jojo and the fuzz/recorder fest of Je Serai Musicien. Along the way these records were also compiled onto not one but too long players! After his final release Christian retreated from the studio to concentrate on his studies - however it wasn't too long before returned, this time as a drummer of the group Blue Rock in 1974 at the age of 17, until 1977. Sadly no further info on Christian is available - but his cousin Marc Ysaye acheived some success as a drummer with the rock group Machiavel - talented family indeed! Now onto what you can hear of this talented youngster - in the ink provided I have compiled the best cuts from each EP, which is practically all of them! Sadly I don't have his last record just yet, but I imangine it's just as great!

♪♫♪ JE SERAI KIKI!!! ♪♫♪

The Laura Ulmer Collection

From the back of Laura's Canadian LP (roughly translatedly...)

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-- She is 18 years old
-- Her name is LAURA, after her grandmother
-- She missed her exams
-- She scores a zero in maths
-- She insulted the people of Niçois

.....and she sings without accent

LAURA ULMER, daughter of GEORGES (of Danois) and BETTY (of Niçoise) has a sense of humour that her parents do not necessarily appreciate. For example when she wrote "BISMARK" was a "blouson noir", which contributed to him "missing the boat".... She also appreciates the experiences of her scientist brother who builds rockets with cigarette cases and bombs with cartons of fruit juice.

---"He found his hardware in the dustbins of MAMN restaurant, in the south. At night he wakes up everyone! Even the policemen who were frightened: they thought it was gunshots"

Every coin has its flip-side, a sentimantal LAURA recounts.

"When I'm happy, I laugh and do nothing. When I am sad, I write sad poems, or songs: the latter beginning with "Ma chance est partie avec toi" has been completely redone before I finish singing!"

LAURA writes in a diary, every day, before falling asleep

"Mom is so strange ... She would love to get their hands on it! But I use a special technique and write in reverse as Leonardo de Vinci...."

Indeed, LAURA writes from right to left with remarkable ease, but this would not put off the indiscreet BETTY if she "came across" the diary as the secrets of her daughter would be revealed in a mirror!

LAURA hit upon the idea of singing three years ago:

"A guitarist had come to the resturaunt, I sang with him. Mum told me "Go on, I'll give you some advice"

Mum, who is very practical woman and until that night had two main concerns: Dad's business and the threat of dismissal hanging over the head of her daughter from school. She now has a third preoccupation, since she is now the impresario of young LAURA who indeed promises a lot.

LAURA who dons skirts and is captivated by cartoons is not all influenced by the career of her father

"Papa is also not my type of man," she comments, "I prefer the finesse of DELON"

This gentleman, (Alain) DELON, who "will" eventually sweep LAURA off her feet into marrigedom has no risk of dying from obesity.

"I hate cooking LAURA readily admits. Just like mum! Dad on the other hand actually does like it, but the fact is it's just inedible: too many spices, everything, and he is alone in liking the end result. However he succeeds with one dish, paella: which is rather funny, for a Dane! "

... And now, if you want to meet this young lass who will never "cordon bleu" elsewhere on the cover of this record, then go to the cinema: LAURA never misses a 18 rated movie. ....

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Ah, Laura! What a gal eh! ^___^ - Sadly I don't think her wish of nabbing that Alain Delon came into being - what could have been! Right well as you have probably have gathered this post is dedicated to one of the fabbest of the swinging chanteuses, Mlle Laura Ulmer, best (and most likely only) known for her song "Amoureux D'une Affiche," certainly one of the finest examples of how adoringly cute vocals and great beat combine in Yéyé glory! And of course it does leave one wanting more of this girl. Dribs and drabs of her other work had to do till I got my hands on her long player, which is basically a compilation of her 3 EPs, and I certainly was not "déçu"!

The songs breakdown thus.....

Jimmy Attends Moi
Je N'Oublierai Jamais
Je Pense A Vous
Tous Les Garcons Ne Pensent Qu'aux Filles
Jean-Paul
On Revient Toujours
As-tu Fini De Pleurer
Il A Besoin D'une Lecon
Depuis Je Pense A Toi
Il Revient, Mon Copain
Ne Sois Pas Jaloux
Un, Deux, Trois

also included in download is single Les Cover Girls

all with the fab Michel Colombier, a man responsible of many a yéyé classic, overseeing production. While the songs never reach the pefection of "Amoureux...." - Laura gives every one her own special charm - which you can view for yourself on this scopiotone by way of the 'tube. Sadly I cannae embed directly! Hmmmmm what's left? The download? Well you'll find it below!

Oh La La Laura!

The Swiss Yé-Yé of Josiane Rey!

Time for another French (or French speaking to be exact) maiden to grace these humble pages - and the honour this week goes to a Swiss belle by the name of Josiane Rey! Mlle. Rey is an elusive character to track down, however what is known is that she released 3 EP's and one single on the Swiss Arpege label circa 1967. Her recordings range from the swinging homage to aeronautics (En Jet) to the Cossack inspired Casatchok de la Volga to dulcet ballad of Reste Dans Mo Coeur. Other highlights include the fab Notre Amour A Dormi Tout Un Hiver and the ace Elapostrofaemo-uere. In the download you'll find all 3 EP's for your delight! The rundown looks like this.....

Josiane Rey (Aperge 4501)

Sous Les Lampions

Notre Amour A Dormi Tout Un Hiver

En Jet

C'est Bon

Josiane Rey (Aperge 4502)

Tambours Battant

Non Monsieur

Le Petit Porte-bonheur

Reste Dans Mon Coeur

Josiane Rey (Aperge 4503)

Un Medaillon

Par La Tendresse

Elapostrofaemo-uere

Casatchok de la Volga

Accompany Josiane on her recordings is the talented Alain Morisod, except or her last one where Andre Borli takes the helm! Josiane nowadays maybe be a doctor or botique owner - who knows! I hope you very much enjoy what musical career she did undertake! Included also in the download are some high-quality scans of the sleeves - as they quite groovy!

Sample the delightful Miss Rey here!

The Crown Prince of YéYé Land

One of the smallest but certainly brighter stars of YéYé explosion in France in the early sixties was a young chap by the name of Pascal Krug, or to give his stage name Le Petit Prince. Born in Switzerland on the 3rd February 1952 he had a natural flair for strumming the guitar at an early age and quickly rose attention at an appearance at a national music festival in his home country. At just 11, he was offered a contract with the French record company Barclay by producer Ken Lean. After securing the deal he was approached and went on to be managed the singer Claude François who he went on to later to tour with in 1963 alongside the group Les Gams. 11 singles and two albums later the inevtiable happend, and the small prince had to grow up - still he managed one EP in 1968 after his voice had taken the low road!

The few recordings I have heard of the prince have all been ace, combining good production with Pascal's talented singing voice. And on offer to download is his EP from 1964, Chante Avec Moi with fellow performer Franck Alamo. Francky comments on why he got together with the prince with the wise words "He is nice, spontaneous, sings and adores playing guitar like me!" Chante Avec Moi turns out to be a pretty catchy ditty - however the highlight is definitely the cover of Rag Doll, retitled Triste Noel - very worthy cover! Plus Pascal lends a hand to writing too with S'il Faut Grandir. The EP rounds of with the track Ces Gens-La.

Listen To His Highness Here!

Céline & Liette - Les Fleurs d'amour

Just a quick post to display and give notice to the talents of two sisters from Quebec, Celine and Liette Lopez! The song, Les Fleurs D'Amour is from 1968 - and what a song! Gotta love the slow-mo go-go dancer action too!

La Merveilleux Delphine Desyeux!

Hey! Didn't think I would post another so soon?!! Well here's one regardless!



Born in 1953 Delphine first found fame by starring in a French television series called L´âge heureux in 1966 about a young girl (Delphine) who enrolls as a student at a ballet school. A year later she starred in a film called Les Risques du métier with pop sensation Jacques Brel. 1967 was also the year that she released her first EP, Ton anniversaire. One more followed in 1968, L'amie, le petit chien et le garçon que j'aimais bien and another in 1969, featuring YeYe classic Je Suis Le Tigresse, a cover of Lulu's I Am A Tiger. One final one was issued in 1970 entitled Un Brin De Soleil. Another release, La Chanson De L'Age Heureux, was issued in Canada and possibly in France and is likely the title song to her debut film. I've not been able to collate much further info about the lovely Delphine, but check out these great advertisements she did (along with Chantal Kelly and Alice Dona) promoting Bella dolls!

And so I bring to you that first EP she provided her vocal prowess for - Ton anniversaire! Featuring 4 very sweet numbers, L'hiver, Que s'en vienne la nuit, Ton Anniversaire and Si j'etais le vent. Enjoy!


Edit::
Big thanks to Marina with this extra info on Delphine! She also starred in the movie L'homme qui rit, playing the character of Dea. Directed by Jean Kerchbron the film is an adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel. Delphine now teaches ballet in the south of France. Here's a picture of Delphine along with fellow actor Philippe Bouclet in the movie, taken from this site!

Je Suis Un Téléchargement

Françoise Hardy - C'est N'est Pas Un Rêve

Hey! Just had to post this video of the ever-wonderful Ms Hardy and her cover of Don't come any closer by Samantha Jones. Or did Samantha cover Françoise? Who knows! Please check out the posters other videos as well - amazing, amazing stuff! (yes it does deserve more than one!)

A chap called Edouard

Here's a cool find! First a bit of back story.. Firstly in France, a guy called Antoine scored a hit with a record called Les Elucubrations D'Antoine back in 1966. The record upon release stirred up a bit of controversy, in part due to his free flowing locks and a fondness for flowered shirts, but also due to the record's forward comments on social issues such as the pill and imported rock'n'roll ala Johnny Halliday. While artists in his succession tried to emulate his Dylan-esque vibes, he did have his fair share of detractors. In fact he inspired a slew of parody, ....I guess tributes!, that mocked Antoine's forwardness and style. One of these was a guy called Edouard, who responded to Antoine in his song My Name is Edouard, while sporting a knee-length wig and a natty pair of bermuda shorts! All in good sport of course!...maybe! Anyhow here's a vid of said song and le mp3s to match! Also included is a direct parody of Les Elucubrations D'Antoine called coincidently Les Hallucinations d'Edouard.




I Am A Download!