Chanson française

We sadly learn today that our french singer Henri Salvador passed away. At 90 years old he played a big part in the chanson française. Born in Cayenne in 1917, french colony in South America, he moved to France and once Ray Ventura heard him in a cabaret in south of France he took him with his band for a tour in ... South America. When he came back in the country in the late 40's he wrote a lot of successful popular songs like "une chanson douce". Then in the 50's he met Boris Vian and both of them composed (it is said) 400 songs like "Rock Hoquet" and "le blues du dentiste" and introduced in France Rock music. The hit of the 60's will stay "Syracuse" and in the 70's became TV showman. He was the first artist to create his own label and owned his work. Then he was a bit lost until 2000 when he came back with a wonderful album "Chambre avec vue" and since then made 2 other ones with the last in 2006 "Révérence" which means in french that he will leave soon. He hardly believed that young people could love his work but this is what happened and he was the first surprised. He played on tour a lot and was never tired laughing (he was famous for his laugh, very noisy but communicative. I chose a duet with the swedish jazz singer Lisa Ekdahl All I really want is love because it is a nice song and we can enjoy listening his smooth voice which was his style in the last albums. A very nice career indeed.