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The Charles Aznavour (1924-2018) Thread


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En noir et en couleur » - Charles Aznavour (De la scène à la Seine)

 

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7 hours ago, Stefancos said:

Bessie, it would help if you wrote words we all understood.

 

Sure, sorry. Approximative translation of this extract from one of is song dedicated to Dalida:

Three columns on the front page 
Ten pages inside 
The death is convenient 
In black and in color

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

I received a notification from UPS, the new boxset for which I collaborated with Universal France and my collector friends, will arrive monday.

 

I feel very strange about it.  It was supposed to be a joyfull event.

 

Aucun texte alternatif disponible.

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With biopics about music stars  being developed as we speak (Celine Dion, David Bowie, Elton John), will we also see a big movie about Charles? And which actor will portray him? 

 

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2 hours ago, Alexcremers said:

With biopics about music stars  being developed as we speak (Celine Dion, David Bowie, Elton John), will we also see a big movie about Charles? And which actor will portray him? 

 

220px-Charles_Aznavour_May_1963.jpg

 

Well his life is far from being interresting, a part that he lived "12 years of flop" before his career really start, and he never gave up.  His life is not scandalous.

 

We'll have that promise biopic about Roy Orbison before!

 

 

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2 hours ago, Bespin said:

 

Well his life is far from being interresting, a part that he lived "12 years of flop" before his career really start, and he never gave up.  His life is not scandalous.

 

 

 

Charles Aznavour: He Did It His Way

 

 

What do you think of the title?

 

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  • 3 months later...

#Aznavour95 :unsure:

 

"Tomorrow, we will celebrate my father's 95th birthday, but we celebrate his life every day. Our goal, the goal of the family and the Aznavour Foundation is to preserve the cultural and humanitarian heritage of Charles Aznavour, to honor and to make his memory live.

The inauguration of the commemorative plaque on the street Monsieur Le Prince marks the launch of a long celebration campaign during which other events will be organized and monuments will be inaugurated in Paris and around the world."

 

- Nicolas Aznavour

 

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I have successfully compiled a comprehensive page on "French Recording Sessions (1960-1983): The Barclay Years" dedicated to Charles Aznavour. For the first time, this log publicly showcases essential information about his various recording sessions during that significant period, including recording dates, music directors' names, studios used, and a full list of songs recorded. The purpose of this project is to preserve and share the rich musical history of Charles Aznavour's career, offering fans and music enthusiasts a valuable resource to explore his creative process and contributions to the music industry.

 

Follow that link : http://www.goplanete.com/.../catalogue/sessions_barclay.htm

 

Peut être une image en noir et blanc de 1 personne

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Amusing anecdote: The complete recordings of Charles Aznavour in Italian would fit on 8 CDs, precisely comprising 165 files.


Peut être une image de texte qui dit ’Italien-01 Italien-02 Italien-03 Italien-0 Italien-05 Italien-06 Italien-07 Italien-08’

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Here is the first Italian version of the song "Les jours heureux," recorded in 1971. The song explores contrasting emotions of life, evoking both the difficulty and misery one may encounter, as well as the promise of a brighter future where joy and freedom will prevail. The Italian lyrics skillfully capture this duality, conveying both despair and resilience in the face of adversity while also hinting at a glimmer of hope and courage to overcome challenges.

 

 

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In 1970, Charles Aznavour recorded a unique Italian version of "Tu t'laisses aller." The lyrics express his frustrations towards his wife, but despite it all, he offers her a chance for reconciliation by asking her to become the person she once was. Love endures despite the difficulties!

 

 

 

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In the Italian version of "Comme ils disent," Charles Aznavour engages in a profound introspection on identity and the human condition. He emotionally depicts the life of a solitary artist, living with his mother and surrounded by his pets. The Italian lyrics retain all the poetry and meaning of the original French, inviting listeners to contemplate themes such as self-acceptance, freedom, and societal judgments.

 

 

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"Come uno stupido," the first Italian version of the song "Me voilà seul," released in 1972 and recorded by Charles Aznavour, emotionally evokes loneliness and the void left by a broken relationship. The lyrics depict a protagonist reminiscing about past mistakes, admitting to their reckless nature that may have contributed to the end of their love story. The singer expresses sadness and nostalgia over the lost love, while still holding a glimmer of hope despite knowing she won't return. The gentle melody perfectly underscores the emotion conveyed by the lyrics, making "Come uno stupido" a touching and poignant song that resonates with the universal experience of losing a cherished love.

 

 

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It's to my knowledge, the only english documentary about Charles Aznavour. It's available on demand on Amazon and Vimeo.

Aznavour.jpg
https://michaelblackwoodproductions.com/project/aznavour-breaking-america/

 

Filmed in 1983, Aznavour: Breaking America documents French “pop deity” Charles Aznavour as he moves his family from France to Los Angeles, while also attempting to make his name known to the masses in America. Known as “France’s Frank Sinatra”, we hear Aznavour’s distinguished tenor voice as we follow him to rehearsals, recording his songs in english, and performing on Broadway. Within this film Charles’ passion for his songs and stage work is displayed. The self-described story writer’s respect for his craft is unmatched.

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In 1972, Charles Aznavour recorded the Spanish version of "Entre nous," which is still unreleased on CD. This song evokes a past love marked by distance and separation. The singer often immerses himself in these happy memories shared with his lost love, feeling both nostalgia and anguish. Despite the changes in the other person, who seeks to forget everything, the singer continues to imagine and relive their passionate love...

 

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"Cuando estás junto a mí" is Charles Aznavour's sixth album in Spanish, released in 1996. The album features a selection of songs performed by Aznavour in Spanish, including the eponymous track "Cuando estás junto a mí," which is the Spanish version of "Quand tu dors près de moi" (When you sleep close to me).

 

 

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On his 4th English album released in 1966, Charles Aznavour presents a first English version of "Happy Anniversary" with an exceptional arrangement by Gordon Jenkins.

 

 

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On his English album of 1962, Charles Aznavour still lacks a bit of confidence, but he delivers a stripped-down and quite successful version of "You've Got to Learn."

 

 

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"Morir de amor," recorded in 1971, remains one of Charles Aznavour's most famous songs in Spanish.

 

"Mourir d'aimer" is a poignant French song by Charles Aznavour, inspired by the tragic real-life story of Gabrielle Russier. In 1968, Gabrielle, a 32 years old teacher, fell in love with a pupil of 17, sparking scandal and public scrutiny. The affair faced severe opposition and judgment, and eventually, the teacher was arrested and charged with "détournement de mineur" (corruption of a minor). She was incarcerated for eight weeks, which added to the despair and turmoil she was experiencing. Tragically, at the beginning of the new school year, Gabrielle couldn't bear the weight of the situation and the loss of their relationship. Consumed by the pain of societal constraints and the stigma surrounding their love, the young woman made the devastating decision to end her life.

 

Released in 1971, the song became a hit, resonating with audiences worldwide and immortalizing the tragic tale of Gabrielle Russier through music.

 

 

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Featured on Charles Aznavour's first German album in 1964, the German version of the song "Plus heureux que moi" (Happier Than Me) presents a completely new orchestration with jazzy accents that suit it perfectly!

 

 

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In 1980, on his 4th German album titled "Melodie des Lebens" (Melody of Life), Charles Aznavour presents a beautiful German version of his hit "Me voilà seul" (Here I am alone).

 

 

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An interesting anecdote: the entire English recordings of Charles Aznavour could be gathered on 10 CDs, totaling 202 tracks. Impressive!

 

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Based on a "Top 10 Songs" list published by The Guardian in 2018, around the time of Charles Aznavour's passing, here is a compilation of 7 outstanding albums where you can discover the songs referenced in the article.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/02/charles-aznavour-10-of-the-best

 

1) Charles Aznavour chante Charles Aznavour, Vol. 3 (1956)

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"Le Chemin de L’Éternité"

On this early domestic success (whose title translates as The Road to Eternity), Aznavour marches through the pearly gates, remembering to take off his shoes beforehand for fear “they might leave footprints in the sky”.

 

2) Les deux guitares (1960)
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"Les Deux Guitares"

Aznavour is propping up the bar during a tango derived from a folk source. At the start of the song he’s a crashing bore, spewing out dismal platitudes such as: “We’re all the same when we go.” The saloon band’s tango gathers tempo, his sozzled torpor dispels, and he becomes active and restless – “if the end should come today, let me take the gamble”. The tempo quickens, and he’s off his stool and dancing, a hostage to the beat until he drops, exhausted or dead.

 

3) His Kind of Love Songs (1966)
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"La Bohème"

In the wake of the canny album His Love Songs in English (1965), Aznavour’s English-speaking following snowballed. Among them was Bob Dylan, who saw him at New York’s Carnegie Hall and said: “He just blew my brains out.” Among the highlights of the show was La Bohème, a salaam to the Parisian neighbourhood Montmartre – and an Aznavour signature tune. At one of his final British performances, he enhanced it with the use of just one prop, a white rag, which was tossed into the crowd.

 

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