This page is part of a larger guide, reviewing various French chanson and musette recordings, focussing mainly on older, classic material, but also branching out to include some newer performers working in the same styles. Suggestions, recommendations and corrections are always welcome...
This page covers the letter "U"
Enrique Ugarte "Cafe Musette" (Arc Music, 2003)
A no-nonsense set showcasing solo accordion renditions of musette melodies old and new (including several new tunes written by Ugarte himself...) A fine, solid album by a prolific, tradition-based revivalist.
Georges Ulmer "Pigalle" (EPM, 2003)
Born in Denmark, raised in Spain, vocalist Georges Ulmer made a splash in the postwar pop scene, singing uptempo "American"-style swing, modeled after the jazzy material Charles Aznavour was singing around the same time. This is fun material from 1945-47, uniformly enjoyable and upbeat. Ulmer's unusual accent made him hard to place, an attribute he used to his advantage while singing "cowboy" music and jazz; even all these years later, his voice is still cheerful and inviting... And the orchestras (of Jacques Helian, Marius Coste, Joe Boyer and others) were also first-rate. Recommended!
Georges Ulmer "Retrospective: 1945-1955" (Fremeaux, 2008)
Georges Ulmer "Un Monsiuer Attendait" (Mariane Melodie, 2006)
French Music Index
French Rock & Pop
