L'AMOUR EST BLEU / J'AI PEUR

Push-out centre disc. Philips, SFL-1123, Manufactured By Nippon Phonogram Co., Ltd.

1. L'amour est Bleu (A. Popp / P. Cour)
   
   
2. J'ai Peur (E. Macias / J. Demany)

 

    SLEEVE NOTES:

    The name "Paul Mauriat Grand Orchestra" is still new in Japan. It is no wonder, then, that Paul Mauriat's fame has only recently come to the public's attention in France. However, among French musicians and in the chanson industry, Paul Mauriat has been a hidden presence. He has been arranging and backing Charles Aznavour's songs for a long time. In Japan, four of his orchestral albums have been introduced so far, and in France, too, he has been talked about as a “new sounds” orchestrator since this spring. His arrangements are clear and free of any unpleasant tastes, allowing the listener to listen to the true flavor of the music. His arrangements are clear and free of any unpleasantness, allowing us to listen to the songs in their true essence. They exude a refined French sensibility and a European elegance. He is not overly elaborate like Michel Legrand in the past, nor does he simply fall into a sweet mood like American string orchestras. His music has more of a classical flavor, but this seems to be his aim and characteristic, given the recent trend of European popular music to incorporate a great deal of classical music. Although he originally came from a classical background, he has not always played in this style. I once heard a recording of Aznavour in a studio in Paris, and the full band in the background sounded extremely sharp. I could only think that a famous American jazz big band was playing. The arranger and conductor at that time was Paul Mauriat. He has created his own style from his various experiences and has appeared with grand orchestras, but this style seems to be his real style. However, he has a modern sensibility. He is a champion of the new French orchestra, following in the footsteps of Michel Legrand and Franck Pourcel.

    Paul Mauriat in all his glory:
    Paul Mauriat is an arranger and conductor. His exact age and place of birth are still unknown. He started playing the piano at the age of 4, when his father, who was a musician by profession, began his classical studies. He entered the conservatoire at the age of 10. At first, he dreamed of becoming a concert pianist, but as he approached his high teens, he became obsessed with jazz and gave up classical music easily. At the age of 17, he formed his own band, which performed at claps and concert hall tours in France and other European countries. When his pithy style was recognized and he was making a name for himself in various places, he decided to settle down in Paris to further his career. He was asked by a record director to back a popular singer, which led him to his current position. He began working on records as an arranger as well, and soon began working with Charles Aznavour. Paul Mauriat is still grateful to have met Aznavour. "Working with Aznavour allowed me to express my different styles of music. I am still happy to back him. Aznavour's depth is unfathomable. I find something new and different in him every time. ........." Mauriat has played 120 songs with Aznavour so far, and now he is finally coming to the populer world with his own orchestra. Now he is finally coming into the popular music world with his own orchestra. He likes Debussy, Stravinsky, and Bach, and is said to have been influenced by them in his arrangements. His hobbies are chess and reading, and he likes the works of Balzac, Stendhal, Pauval, Simenon, and others. His favorite artists are Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Arassans, Aznavour, and Salvador.

    L'amour est Bleu:
    This song won the fourth prize at the 12th Eurovision Song Contest in 1967. It is a beautiful song sung by Vicky, who was born in Greece and is active in Germany, representing Luxembourg. Paul Mauriat's arrangement, which skillfully uses a harpsichord, brings out the best of the song's flavor. The performance has a European flavor.

    J'ai Peur:
    Composed by Enrico Macias with lyrics by Jacques Domarny. This is a new song by Macias. The arrangement makes the most of the piano and rhythm. These two songs are both included in the album "Un Tout Petit Pantan/Europe's Top Hits."

    (October 1967, Sadao Kaneko, Bunka Hoso)

Note: Translation made by online translator.