Marie-Josee Neuville "La Collegienne De La Chanson - L'Integrale Pathe: 1955-1962" (Marianne Melodie, 2010)
A generously programmed 2-CD selection of folkie-acoustic recordings by "the schoolgirl of chanson," teenaged Marie-Josee Neuville, whose guileless, plainspoken vocals are in some ways a precursor of the French ye-ye teenybopper rock scene... Disc One is dominated by acoustic recordings, just Ms. Neuville singing solo while strumming her guitar; on Disc Two they add light pop arrangements and these tracks are more charming and musically diverse, including a few goofy rock/R&B approximations. She really does straddle the worlds of old-school chanson and rock, fitting roughly into the same ecosphere as Annette Funicello or Connie Stevens in the USA. Not great, but kind of cute.
Harold Nicholas "New York -- Paris" (Fontana Records, 1960) (LP)
One of the great delights for pop culture fans is the discovery of the Nicholas Brothers, a black vaudeville duo whose dynamic, incredibly athletic dance numbers earned them such notable fans as Fred Astaire, and helped them storm the ramparts of Hollywood during the height of show business segregation. When the act broke up in the late 1950s the younger brother, Harold Lloyd Nicholas (1921-2000) decamped to France where he wowed the locals, working as a solo artist for many years, first as a blues-jazz and standards singer, later singing rock'n'roll. He's backed on this torchy set of standards by French bandleader Jimmy Walter and his Gallic jazz combo, singing oldies like "St. Louis Blues," "Over The Rainbow" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." Nicholas would later mine American R&B and teenybopper rock fads of the early 'Sixties, material that's mainly found on singles and EPs, though which may have been gathered together on some collections I'm not yet aware of. Even as a solo act, he was a pretty arresting performer.
Harold Nicholas "O Fabuloso" (Philips, 1960) (LP)
This set of latin dance material was apparently only released in Brazil, though it includes several non-cha-cha songs previously included in the New York - Paris album above. Also included are exotic numbers such as "Yo Tengo Una Muneca," "Tua," "Las Secretarias," and "Trumpet Cha Cha," along with a little bit of Italian-themed material, some stuff by Charles Trenet, and the like. In addition to his longtime collaborator Jimmy Walter, Nicholas is backed here by Norman Main and his orchestra.
Noel Noel/Raymond Souplex "Les Princes De L'Humour Montartois" (Forlane Records, 1992)
Two comedic singers whose solo recordings (Noel's work dating from 1930-32, Souplex's from 1934-35) are gathered together on this generously programmed disc. A diehard fan of French cabaret may find this a real gem -- musically, though, these tracks may be too firmly anchored in the traditions of the music hall. The halting, nudge-nudge delivery of these world-playful romps is less inviting and less rewarding than other chansonniers of the time, who managed to be both glib and melodic. Historically of interest, but perhaps not that much fun just taken as music.
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