01． Quelqu'un qui m'ressemble  (*)
02． Moi je pense encore a toi 	
03． Tous mes copains 	
04． Mr. John B	
05． La plus belle pour aller danser 	
06． En ecoutant la pluie 	
07． Sur un ful 	
08． Cetter lettre la	
09． J'ai fait un voeu	
10． Ne le decois pas
11． L'homme en noir 	
12． Face au soleil 	
13． Ne t'en vas pas 	
14． La Maritza 	
15． Par amour, par pitie 	
16． Tes tendres annees (Live version - Paris in June 1993)	
17． La vie d'artiste  (*)
18． Le premier de nous deux  (*)
* 3 numbers included in SYLVIE VARTAN, the 1995 reedition. 

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"VENT D'OUEST" (1992)
Sylvie Vartan's 1992 impressive original album. There's an exotic atmosphere or something; it feels scent and wind of foreign countries. It's not the wind of only Paris or LA, but rather NYC and cities of South America or somewhere. There seems to be a story as a whole including the beautiful booklet. Fantastic artist Sylvie Vartan, a worldwide traveler.

photo below : Sylvie Vartan in ELLE no.2452 28/12/1992
- 2 pages of ELLE Weekly Info ： New disque Vent d'ouest and new film L'Ange Noir starring Sylvie Vartan.




1992 album： Vent d'ouest
(recorded in America)
photo: Sylvie Vartan by Michel Compte

1. Qui tu es
2. Barrio Chino
3. Dernier acte
4. Les aventures a l'eau
5. Plus et encore
6. Dirty dancing
7. Cerfs volants
8. Sur tes levres
9. Earth and air
10. Je m'entraine
11. Je veux qu'il m'aime

amazon： Vent d'ouest - MP3


Realization/arrangements：　Claude Gaudette
Producteur executif：　Mick Lanaro
Enregistre/mixe par：　Eddie King (Californie)
Guitares：　Michael Thompson
Basse： Leland Sklar, Neil Stubenhaus, Jimmy Johnson
Batterie： Mike Baird, Mark Schulman, John "JR" Robinson
Saxophone soprano： Dave Koz

No.8 composed by Sylvie Vartan, no.9 by her son, singer-songwriter David Hallyday.

literal translation of "Vent d'ouest" ：　West wind, or Wind from west








no.8 "Sur tes levres" はシルヴィ自身の作曲、no.9 "Earth and Air" はシンガー・ソングライターのダヴィド・アリディ作曲。彼はシルヴィ・ヴァルタンとロック歌手ジョニー・アリディの一人息子。（シルヴィとジョニーは1965-1980まで夫婦。 シルヴィは結婚した翌年（息子が誕生した年）に早くも離婚を望んだそうだが。） シルヴィ似の容貌とはうらはらに、音楽も物腰も話し方も男っぽくて飾り気がない風。シルヴィへの曲もゆったりした大きな曲が多く、1998年アルバム 「SENSIBLE」 にへヴィーなロック "Ma Verite" を提供。 シルヴィがTVで黒のロング・レザーコートにサングラス姿で本作を熱唱するシーンを見ながら、「彼女（シルヴィ）はどんな歌も自分のものにしてしまうんだよ」 とダヴィドが愉快そうに話している。

ダヴィドの私生活は、22歳で結婚し30代半ばで離婚するが数年後に再婚して3人の父親。趣味でレーサーでもある。人生観や家族観が母親シルヴィに近い。シルヴィの意思でマスコミの狂騒を避けて幼少からカリフォルニアで育つ。ダヴィドはプロ活動に入ってからニューヨークやロンドンやポルトガルに住む。音楽的にチャレンジ精神旺盛で何度かアメリカでグループを組んで活動した。

本作は美しい作りの上、イマジネーションをかきたてる風景写真入りブックレットも含めて世界の複数の大陸や街、空、風、空気を感じさせる。異国の香りとか特定できない異質なものが感じられるせいか、心に留まる作品。 (写真下： パリ南西にあるシャルトルのレコード店のウィンドー・ディスプレイ - 1992年12月）





photo above: Window display of a record shop in Chartres, southwest of Paris, Dec. 1992.







photo above: post card/DM of the album Vent d'Ouest


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"Vent d'ouest" - promotion disk (not for sale)
I got it at a famous flea market in Paris around 1993 and did not know it was a promotional article. Now I see tiny letters on the back cover, in upper right corner： DISQUE PROMOTION INTERDIT A LA VENTE

プロモーション用のCD（非売品！）- LPサイズのジャケット入り。パリの蚤の市で購入。

cover - front/back (LP size)


inside the album





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* * *


"ENREGISTREMENT PUBLIC A SOFIA - Le 6 Octobre 1990" (1991) - SON ESSENCE.
A forever recording of Sylvie Vartan's memorable event. Her exceptional live album exclusively including only 11 numbers, in veritable simplicity and elegance with the essence of the first and unique concert in Sofia, Bulgaria, her motherland where Sylvie lived in the first seven years of life (1944-1952/The Vartans legally exiled to France in 1952). It reveals a great personality, human side of the glamorous star, Sylvie Vartan.
MOYA GORO, Sylvie Vartan's singing of this Bulgarian forklore resonates ever since I saw her sing it in Sylvie Vartan 2-week Japan Tour in June 1992, which shaked my bones.




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* * *

DISCOGRAPHY 1980S

CONFIDANSES (1989) - MADE IN USA (1985) - SYLVIE AU PALAIS DES CONGRES 1983  

PALAIS DES SPORTS 1981 - DERAISSONABLE (1980)

"CONFIDANSES" (1989)
Sylvie Vartan's vibrant album with a monochrome jacket of natural and casual Sylvie Vartan in Paris on the banks of the Seine, in contrast to her previous albums. One of most memorable discs since it was the theme of her concerts in Sofia 1990, Paris 1991 (Palais des Sports), Japan Tour 1992 (two-week tour).


"CONFIDANSES/Sylvie Vartan" - Japanese version relesed in Dec. 1989.

Confidanses - French album released in Oct. 1989, just one year before the first concert of Sylvie Vartan in Sofia, where she was brought up and spent the first seven or eight years of life.
"Il pleut sur London" is the only title from this album on the CD Live in Sofia 1990, which contains just selected eleven numbers including three Bulgarian forklores, "Imagine" (cover of John Lennon) and a new opening song "Libertes" specially produced for the concert. Actually, it's said that she sang four songs from this album and the concert lasted far longer than two hours.






"Confidanses", a meaningful title, comes from two words 「confidenses」 and 「danse」(confidanses and dance in English), which I've read somewhere.

"バルタン気質" (VARTAN kishitsu), the title of its Japanese version is very interesting as well. Break down the word "VARTAN kishitsu" and you get of course VARTAN and "kishitsu" or "nature", "temperament", "spirit" something like that.
"VARTAN spirit," it's not an easy literal translation of the French title. It's a well-thought-out great Japanese title. Bravo PHILIPS Japan!

"Bordeaux - San Francisco" has lots of gaiety, energy, movement and all, the same as Sylvie Vartan being in 200 percents health, who seems to be just back from California. In contrast, "Il pleut sur London" is a magic song that reveals Sylvie Vartan's extra quality in live performance leaving such a deep impression on us as if we were looking at one beautiful short film. That's the case in Sylvie Vartan two-week Japan tour in June 1992. A forever live.

Sylvie Vartan gave an interview to a Japanese TV TOKYO (a music programe) in Paris in late-September 1990, several days before her 1st Sofia Live in October, It was broadcasted together with her video clip "Il pleut sur London." in January 1991.

「バルタン気質」（1989年12月日本発売）：
シルヴィ・ヴァルタン　「私は強い女じゃない・・・その時々を純粋に生きてきただけ・・・」
過去、現在の胸の内を印象的に描き出す、私小説的アルバム。

1. C'est fatal セ・ファタル / 2. Ca va de soi それは当然 / 3. Il pleut sur London ロンドンに雨が降る / 4. Beau photographe 美男のカメラマン / 5. VIVA / 6. Bordeaux - San Francisco ボルドー ～ サンフランシスコ / 7. Comme un homme 待っていた人 / 8. Bleu Pacifique 穏やかなブルー / 9. Tu cours apres le temps 時を追いかけて / 10. C'est fatal - Version Maxi セ・ファタル/Maxiヴァージョン




SYLVIE VARTAN, AFTER BEING IN CALIFORNIA/USA - VIVA VARTAN !

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* * *


"DOUBLE EXPOSURE (FRANCE: MADE IN USA)" (1985)
Sylvie Vartan's excellent second English-language album with just ten numbers. No accent in a kicking rich voice. It contains catchy and impressive numbers and a beautiful song. "Double Exposure" "One Shot Lover" "If Your Walk Away" especially stuck in my ears.

However, this Sylvie's provocative hair style on the jacket did not fit her at all. Sylvie Vartan used to be cool and chic but she was all differnet or awful including costume, pose and all those days (1985-1986). I've read somewhere that today Sylvie (also) finds the look uninteresting or something. There is no way that many of them were her choice.

Except that appearance, which is the worst moment of her career, it's an unforgettable powerful album. Adventurous, extraordinary, great Sylvie Vartan.

1. Double Exposure / 2. One Shot Lover / 3. If You Walk Away / 4. Let Me Show You How / 5. I Saw Mary / 6. Out Of Control / 7. Wrap Your Arms Around Me / 8. Running Scared / 9. Heard It In A Heartbeat / 10. Shooting Star





below : French original version "MADE IN USA"


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"SYLVIE AU PALAIS DES CONGRES" (1983)
11-WEEK NON STOP CONCERT !

Sylvie Vartan's record-breaking non-stop long run concert from 10 September to 20 November 1983.
She has extraordinary beauty, passion, energy, health, conviction and all that. In fact, she went on 3-week concert tour in France right after the remarkable performance in Paris!! Then, in June 1984 in US: Los Angeles and Atlantic City. I remember a full page advertisement of her Atlantic City in an American fashion magazine.





* * *


"SYLVIE VARTAN PALAIS DES SPORTS 81" (1981)

Japanese title of the album: Beautiful Sorcery/Sylvie Vartan Live. Sylvie Vartan's sumptuous long-run spectacle - with many gifted dancers, several chorus (backing vocal), a grand orchestra, her pianist Gerard Daguerre, as was the case in her precedent two long-run Live in Paris 1975, 1977 - at the Palais des Sports de Paris from 23 Nov. 1981 to 3 Jan. 1982. (Costumes by Bob Mackie/Christian Dior)

I recall that a glass-walled small cafe near the metro station Roppongi (central Tokyo) playing this video Sylvie Vartan Palais des Sports 1981. Of course I dropped in.





1st part: overture - Sunrise of Stage, No More Tears Enough Is Enough, Orient Express, Jerry and many American vital rhythmical songs. Needless to say, Sylvie Vartan is vigorous and sings in excellent English.

2nd part: Jour Apres Jour, Toute Une Vie Passe, festive Tape Tape (Pata Pata) and Ca Vas Mal (On and On and On) among others. Closing songs : La Maritza and Nicolas (piano Gerard Daguerre).


Her big hit NICOLAS (cover of Hungarian song Elmegyek) for an encore, most impressive scene. The audience who are lost in music and the elegance and beauty of silky blonde Sylvie Vartan (in Dior). Gorgeous!




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"DERAISONNABLE" (RCA JAPAN 1980) (FRANCE 1979)


1. Les Filles
2. Pour Que Tu M'aimes
3. NICOLAS (Elmegyek - cover in French)
4. Can't Stop Dancing
5. Seule Sur Mon Ile
6. Pauvre Sylvie (Poor,poor, Pityful Me)
7. La Difference
8. Rock and Blow (Touch and Gone)
9. Deraisonnable (Wrap Your Love All Around Your Man)
10. Merveilleusement Desenchantee



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DISCOGRAPHY 1970S

AMERICAN NIGHT (1979)  - DISCO QUEEN (1978 SINGLE) - FANTASIE (1978) - PALAIS DES CONGRES 1977 
  
TA SORCIERE BIEN AIMEE (1976)  -  QU'EST-CE QUI FAIT PLEURER LA BLONDES (1976)  -  PALAIS DES CONGRES 1975  

JE CHANTE POUR SWANEE "TOP A SYLVIE" (FRENCH TV 1974) - C'ETAIT LA BELLE VIE (SINGLE 1974)

LIVE IN JAPAN 1973 - NON JE NE SUIS PLUS LA MEME (1973)  

L'OLYMPIA 1972 - MON PERE (1972) - CARO MOZART/SYMPATHIE (1972) - ABRACADABRA (1972) 

KOIBITO JIDAI (1971) -  SYLVIE A TOKYO 1971 - AIME MOI / LA MARITZA (1971) 

L'OLYMPIA 1970 - IRRESISTIBLEMENT (1970)  - LES HOMMES QUI N'ONT PLUS RIEN A PERDRE (1970) -  AIME-MOI (1970) 

"AMERICAN NIGHT" (1979) (FRANCE: I DON'T WANT THE NIGHT TO END)


Sylvie Vartan's most inspiring English-language album recorded in Los Angeles. She looks poised to break fresh ground, to attract much wider audience.
I happened to see it in a large record store in San Francisco in 1982.

Sylvie Vartan, in an outrageous costume by Yves Saint-Laurent, looks powerful and all in this photo to correspond to the album title. It's far from her real character, though. Professionally, she is not a regular singer or star but a versatile and unique live performer. Extraordinary.

Contrary to the aggressive appearance of the album jacket, it contains profoundly serene, lyrical music and singing of Vartan like Distant Shores among others besides not heavy or too vigorous still simply thrilling number, "I don't want the night to end" that sounds particularly great in Live. Absolute fascinations in her concert in Tokyo 2008 too. It's timeless.

1. I don't want the night to end / 2. Please stay / 3. Easy love / 4. Distant shores / 5. The rest of my life
6. Pure love / 7. Don't you warry / 8. Keep on rockin' / 9. Dance to the rhythm of your love / 10. Hot time tonight

photos below: album LP and Single in Japan version.



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* * *

"DISCO QUEEN" (1978 SINGLE/ALBUM)
- CELEBRATING SYLVIE VARTAN JAPAN TOUR 1978

Sylvie Vartan's hit single RCA Japan released to celebrate her Japan concert tour in 1978 (25 May to 17 June), on the opening day. It entered in the ORICON music charts (the best selling singles 100) for 16 weeks rising to No.47. (Oricon：Japan's established sales research firm)

Album "Disco Queen - Sylvie Vartan New Best" including this successful tune "Disco Queen" followed.

Remembrance :
Her costumes by Michel Fresnay. The profile of divinely beautiful smiley Sylvie Vartan in the flowing splendid white silky dress coming onto the stage in the previous Japan tour (similer to the photo below right) !
Who can forget the moment ?





* * *

"FANTAISIE" (1978)

A) Fantaisie (All I Need Is A Girl) / Mon Pauvre Bebe / Disco Queen / Jours Apres Jours / Rappelez-Moi En L'An 2000
B) Je Chante Encore L'Amour * / Delivree (Desiree) / Tant Mieux, Tant Pis / Solitude (Substitude) / Capitaine, Je Me Noie / Fumee (If You'd Only Come Back)

* Included in the setlist of Sylvie Vartan a la Salle Pleyel 2021 - Celebration of 60 years stage career. (20 Nov 2021).

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"SYLVIE VARTAN AU PALAIS DES CONGRES" (1977) - SYLVISSIME

photo left: album in Japanese version released in 1978 to mark Sylvie Vartan Japan tour.

Sylvie Vartan's top quality legendary magnificent second long-run concert at Palais des Congres de Paris following 1975, from 7 Oct to 9 Nov 1977, with additional performance from 20 Mar to 2 Apr 1978. One day, Mick Jagger (of the Rolling Stones) was in the hall and also in the backstage dressing room after the spectacle.

Her remarkable achievement in terms of the quality of both singing and dance performance. A trained pure singing voice and vocal particularly marvelous, sensitive, delicate at her peak until then and above all spirit like nothing before and later. Outstanding.
Ne pars pas comme ca (Don't Leave Me This Way) (cover of Thelma Houston's 1976 recording) among others.


Now that I listen to the album today, Parle-moi de ta vie is also a stirring piece. Every single word she sings is so fine, meticulous in details and beautifully resonates to the point of falling tears inside. The heavy piano (Gerard Daguerre) in closing enhances the fascinating and soulful performance of Sylvie Vartan.

Sylvie envisages soon the next show at Palais des Sports de Paris in 1981 (23/11/1981-3/1/1982). Between 1970 and around mid-1980s are the most hectic periodes of Sylvie Vartan's career as a glamorous concert live performer. The choreograher: Claude Thompson (1934-2007).

Sylvie Vartan photographed by Helmut Newton for this spectacular concert's poster and the album jacket.






FABULOUS SYLVIE VARTAN IN WHITE TIE AND TAILS !


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"TA SORCIERE BIEN AIMEE" (1976)
One of unforgettable albums of Sylvie Vartan including good songs such as 　 "L'amour c'est comme les bateaux," 　 "Le bonheur," 　 "Je croyais." 　 "Je croyais," a striking piece I found later when Sylvie Vartan sang it in her L'Olympia Paris 1996 showing an impressively profound performance. I strained my ears when I heared Sylvie pronounce a word FUJIYAMA saying to myself FUJIYAMA, is it the Mt. Fuji in our country? We know the splendor of the sunset over the Mt. Fuji. Indeed, Sylvie Vartan must have seen it many times especially 1970s, periods of lots of long concert tours.




photo above: re-edition CD, from French "Ultimate Collection" 2013
left: album Japan version 1977

JE CROYAIS (G. Thibaut/C. Assous) :

J'ai vu le soleil tomber / Derriere le Fujiyama
Et la lune s'enflammer / Au vent chaud d'Alabama

J'ai traverse / Des oceans et des villes
J'ai couru toute la terre / Sans jamais trouver mon ile

Je croyais, je croyais / Qu'un avion suffisait
Pour voler, pour voler / Plus haut que le passe

Je croyais, je croyais / Qu'un bateau suffisait
Pour laisser sur le quai / Le garcon que j'aimais


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"QU'EST-CE QUI FAIT PLEURER LA BLONDES ?" (1976)

One of major albums of Sylvie Vartan with hit songs and impressive numbers because of her singing voice that are also worth listing to in her LP/CD Live such as No.2 Tu ne me parles plus d'amour among others. Authentic.



1.　Qu'est-ce qui fait pleurer les blondes ?
2.　Tu ne me parles plus d'amour
3.　Le Mariage
4.　Ma liberte
5.　On peut mourir, le monde chante
6.　Danse-la, chante-la
7.　La Lettre
8.　Toi jamais
9.　Changement de cavaliere
10.　Ma decadence
11.　La Minute de verite
12.　La Drole de fin


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"SHOW SYLVIE VARTAN PALAIS DES CONGRES" (1975)


Unique husky voice and elegant energetic danser Sylvie Vartan 1975. Her 1st sumptuous long-run concert at Palais Des Congres (4 Oct/4 Nov 1975, 20/29 Feb 1976), which includes the musical La Divine Lady Veine as specified on the CD. Grand numbers such as :

CD1/ Toute ma vie, Tu ne me parles plus d'amour, Operator
CD2/ Je sens mon coeur qui bat, Je chante pour Swanee, La drole de fin (photo: below), Deux mains, La Maritza (dynamic!), Final-Toute ma vie.







Offrez-moi des bateaux, des plages d'or
et des mers d'argent
Donnez-moi des chateaux gardes par
des rivieres de diamant
Je dirai Non merci, ce n'est pas ma vie
Ce n'est pas ma vie, ma vie, ma vie, ma vie a moi

Mettez dans un shaker un grand piano noir
et quelques choeurs (et des danseurs)
Un gratteur de guitare, une basse et
un oiseau swingeur (et des danseurs)
Un peu de folie, et beaucoup d'amour
Voila ma vie, ma vie, ma vie, ma vie a moi


Toute ma vie (par Gilles Thibaut/1975), original: Love me/Donny Osmond) is a familiar piece to her audience since then. With its dynamic music and French dramatic lyrics, it is perfect for Sylvie Vartan, such a gorgeous live performer.

In fact, a shocking or impressive overture with the big sound of a bell to this music (instrumental) in Sylvie Vartan Live in Tokyo 2005 vividly lives in my memory.


photos: CD re-edition 2013 (from French Vinyl Reprica Collection - "SYLVIE VARTAN Ultimate Collection")
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* * *


JE CHANTE POUR SWANEE - MUSICAL SHOW "TOP A SYLVIE" (FRENCH TV)
(RCA FRANCE 1974/RCA JAPAN 1975)

photo below : left/ from the French 18 VINYL LP ALBUMS (Re-edition/standard version) released 2 JUNE 2023, right/LP RCA Japan 1975)


Sylvie Vartan's 1st TV musical theatre (a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance).



* * *


"C'ETAIT LA BELLE VIE " (SINGLE/1974)

Hit single from her album of 1973 Non Je Ne Suis Plus La Meme released in Japan to mark her 4th Japan Concert Tour.
The impressive lyrics in French per Sylvie herself to Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves * to cover it. It's said she wrote it in California where she often stayed since 1970 and then reviewed in Paris.
(* American singer Cher's big hit single in 1971 in the US).


Je me souviens quand j'etais une enfant / Que j'enviais toujours ce que faisaient les grands /
Et je revois comme une image / Mon pere qui disait / Surtout n'oublie pas que tu vis ton plus bel age /
C'etait la belle vie / Quand tout est fini alors on y repense / C'etait la belle vie /
Et je me dis j'avais de la chance / Quand on y repense /

A quoi bon raconter toujours les regrets du passe / A quoi bon repeter toujours que c'etait la belle vie / Vraiment la belle vie /
Depuis je vis tous les moments de ma vie / Dans le temps present car depuis j'ai compris /
Que c'est comme un livre d'images / Ou l'on dit toujours / Quand on a tourne la toute derniere page /
C'etait la belle vie / Quand tout est fini alors on y repense / C'etait la belle vie /
Et je me dis j'avais de la chance / Quand on y repense

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"SYLVIE VARTAN LIVE IN JAPAN 1973" - 4TH JAPAN CONCERT IN OCT 1973 (1-15/10/1973)
Sylvie Vartan Japan Concert Tour 1973, recorded in Tokyo: Shibuya Public Hall (2300-seat concert hall at that time) and Nakano Sunplaza Hall (2200-seat concert hall, opened in June in that year) on 10 and 13 October 1973. Sylvie Vartan's costumes by Yves Saint-Laurent. Here, Sylvie wearing her 1970s' characteristic denim with Saint-Laurent adornment of crystals.




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"NON JE NE SUIS PLUS LA MEME " (1973)

Sylvie Vartan's memorable hit album in Japan as well, released to mark her 4th Japan Tour 1973 * , as shown on the both vinyls. (* starting the end of September 1973).

Successful single in Japan that year (A: Non je ne suis plus la meme / B: Va si tu l'aimes) and Japanese radio played a lot. Non je ne suis plus la meme, with an impressibly beautiful instrumental introduction as a starry night or something and her singing voice really permeate my heart. After all, Sylvie Vartan excels in this king of music.

2nd single from the album was C'etait la belle vie (cover of Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves of Cher).



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"SYLVIE VARTAN A L'OLYMPIA 1972" (LIVE) - SYLVISSIME

photo below left per Patrick Jamoux (Paris Match no.1220/23.09.1972).
Sylvie Vartan (28) at L'Olympia Paris / costumes : Yves Saint-Laurent / choregrapher: Howard Jeffrey.



Sylvie Vartan's live album with the most impressive cover photos to my eyes. There's an authentic artistic feeling, artistic creativity that tells about the glamorous concert live performer Sylvie Vartan, where she reveals what she is. Yves Saint-Laurent collaborated (since 1968) creating four costumes theatrical, and the American choreograher from Los Angeles, Howard Jeffery (1934-1988).

Infinite beauty Sylvie Vartan rockin' away in a YSL's lame gold jumpsuit (photo above left) "Proud Mary." and dancing to the american music "SHAFT," the centerpiece of the show. Then closing the show with A Song For You in French (Leon Russell/1970) in lame black jumpsuit (photo above right), another masterpiece of YSL.

Every single one of the scenes of divine Sylvie Vartan must have been an unbelievable moment; Sylvie Vartan in person always far, far more worth looking at and listening to. Timeless, the same as "SYLVIE A L'OLYMPIA 1970," which she prepared mostely in New York.
One evening of this concert, especially gorgeous celebrities came to see Sylvie Vartan such as: Alain Delon, Mireille Darc, Catherine Deneuve, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood among others.




album Japan version 1972



In French TV, Sylvie Vartan dancing to the theme from "SHAFT," an American movie of 1971.
(Academy award for best original song/ Isaac Hayes)

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* * *

"MON PERE" (1972 SINGLE/RCA FRANCE)

Mon Pere (my father in English), one of French vynils I purchased in Paris in early 1990s. Sylvie Vartan recorded this autobiographical piece in 1972, two years after the demise of her father. She often sings it since then in her concert live.

It's the only song of Vartan that I can sing to myself with far less difficulty because of a slow-tempo tune. Although I had known its meaning since it was included in some of her Japanese version albums, the beginning of the lyrics made me shed a few tears when I learned and understood French and tried it in early 1990s.



Que la maison me parait vide / Sans son desordre et sans sa voix
Ca me semble encore impossible / Pourtant il y a deux ans deja
Ma mere a range tous ses livres / Et ses outils de jardinier
Tous ces objets qu'il faisait vivre / Qui eux aussi vont s'ennuyer
Il ne parlait pas de la guerre / Pourtant mon heros c'etait lui
J'etais si fiere qu'il soit mon pere / Fiere de m'appeler comme lui
............ C'etait mon ami et mon pere / Et il me manque bien souvent
(written and composed: M. Mallory/M. Benois)

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"CARO MOZART" (FRANCE: SYMPATHIE) (Dec. 1971) - SYLVISSIME





SUBLIME SYLVIE VARTAN. HER PRESENCE ITSELF
IS OF TREMENDOUS VALUE FOR THE VIEWERS.
The sense of beauty of unique live performer Sylvie Vartan is contained in this very moment.
(costume: YSL / Sylvie on Italian TV, around 1972)


One of iconic LP records, an absolute beauty with timeless quality, released in December 1971 in France, 1972 in Japan ahead of her Japan Tour, to represent Sylvie Vartan's first half of 1970s, which became the base for her exceptionally shining long ACTIVE career. It symbolizes her delightful and memorable professional activities.



We see lots of Le Style Vartan on/in this album. Cool blue jeans, T-shirt, black boots with white stars, her favorite Cartier bracelet etc. Every song like a diamond: Riche, Medecine Man, Un Jardin dans Mon Coeur, Suzan, Dillindam, Comme un Arbre Arrache, California, Parle-moi de Ta Vie etc. Most mpressive jacket photo of Sylvie Vartan (27) with a bit melancholy-looking, which makes an interesting contrast with the strong sunshine of California, where she also had a residence and was living, preparing for her spectacles and concerts in Paris. Her choreographers were always american up until 2004.

CARO MOZART, Sylvie sings in Italian to Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550 of W.A. Mozart. Her voice and vocal are especially charismatic, leaving a lasting impression. That lasts forever. Impressive Sylvie Vartan's expanded singing voice in Tokyo 2008 ("Nouvelle Vague Tour" / Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Shibuya). She sang it for the first time in about thirty years.

Caro Mozart recorded in Italy in Dec. 1971 and released in Japan in 1972. The single entered the ORICON music charts ( * ) rising to No.21 of the best-performing 100 singles.

* Oricon： Japan's established sales research firm



哀しみのシンフォニー : 原曲は モーツァルトの交響曲第40番第1楽章ト短調KV.550
シルヴィ・ヴァルタンは1971年12月末にイタリアにてイタリア語で録音。1972年オリコン総合順位：21位。
シルヴィは外国語が堪能で、英語は勿論、イタリア語はその一つ。



photo ： "Si Je Chante..." - Photo autobiography of Sylvie Vartan (Publication 1981/Filipacchi-Edition1)
Sylvie in California (by Jean-Marie Perier)

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* * *

"ABRACADABRA" (1972 SINGLE/RCA JAPAN)
Sylvie Vartan in this jacket photo (one of her iconic looks) reminds me of "LE STYLE VARTAN," the title of her photo book published in 2015.
Around 1974 or 1975 in Japan, the national TV NHK broadcasted Sylvie Vartan's concert in Paris "Sylvie a L'Olympia 1970." I can still see the beautiful Sylvie singing and dancing this "ABRACADABRA" in fantastic Yves Saint-Laurent's velvety black mini dress with pop feeling or something with black long boots.



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* * *

"SYLVIE VARTAN / Koibito Jidai" (1971/RCA JAPAN PROJECT)
Sylvie Vartan's exceptional album including two new Japanese original songs. She recorded four pieces in total in Japanese ( * ), written by the most popular Japanese songwriters at that time, during her 2nd Japan concert tour in May 1971 (5/8-5/26/1971) , specifically, on May 24 and 25 at the RCA studio in Tokyo. (See a small black-and-white photo in the lower right, taken from the liner of the single album "Koibito Jidai")
Her lively singing voice in an excellent Japanese is truly pleasant to the ear. In fact, she is spontaneous and enjoys addressing the audience in Japanese in every Japan tour. Our joyful moments with Sylvie Vartan.

* Four Japanese titres recorded in May 1971:
Koibito Jidai, Onna no Jikan, La Maritza, Watashino Subete (French original: J'ai deux mains, j'ai deux pieds, une bouche et puis un nez)

Album KOIBITO JIDAI:
side A: Koibito Jidai, Beaucoup d'amour Un peu e Patience, Ma Petite Ombre, L'herbe Folle, Le Roi David
side B: Onna no Jikan, Loup, Je T'appelle, Watashino Subete, La Chasse L'homme, Mon Chinois Vert, Ballad Pour Une Fugue.



A: "Koibito Jidai" - B: "Onna no Jikan"
- Sylvie Vartan's 1st single of Japanese original songs recorded in May 1971 (at age 26).
Puzzling thing is that RCA Japan used inexplicably an ancient photo of Sylvie (around age 19).



photo： Back side of the album Sylvie Vartan Anthology came out later including her two Japanese songs ":Koibito Jidai" and "Onna no Jikan."

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* * *

"SYLVIE A TOKYO 1971" (LIVE) - 2ND JAPAN CONCERT TOUR IN MAY 1971 (8-26/5/1971)

Sylvie Vartan, she is something else. Her 2nd Japan tour 1971 long after the 1st Japan concert tour of 1965 (8-20 May 1965) and after the 2nd fatal car accident outside Paris in Feb. 1970, an unfortunate incident that shocked the world.
After all, she is blessed with good luck. This trip was such a coincidence right after the consecutive big splashes in Japan from the previous year 1970 to the Spring of that year: "Les Hommes qui n'ont plus rien a perdre" and "Irresistiblement." These successes contributed importantly to her firmly establisehd place in Japan.

Besides the two huge hits, she sings exclusively for Japan, "Me and Bobby McGee," (in French version) a fresh number from the last album "PEARL" of Janis Joplin (01/1943-10/1970), released posthumously in January 1971 in the US.

below: Iconic impressive singing scene of Sylvie Vartan.
CD published 2012 (France/Japan): The Ultimate Collection (Coffret des annees RCA reeditions/41CD (2012/2013)


photo below： Sylvie Vartan, in her favorite white ruffled-collar blouse under a black jacket,
with her manager and friend Carlos arrvied at Tokyo Haneda Airport in early May (perhaps 7 May) 1971.


"Me and Bobby McGee" : Sylvie Vartan rapidly absorbs other artists' albums and sings some of them in her concert. Lucky Japanese audience! Janis Joplin also has a rough voice but it's her special kind of ear-piercing voice and cry of the soul, which is different from Sylvie. Still, this type of music belongs to Sylvie Vartan. Sylvie's at the same time wild still graceful and warm and sings in a gentle and intense tone.
Boy, it's been about half a century since then and Sylvie Vartan always performs and goes on the road. That's something exceptional.

It's said that this album live is not a good recording and that the band leaves something to be desired in this tour being not really to go with Sylvie's performance. Sylvie Vartan herself also had said about the poor recording. (In the end, it is included in her French Ultimate Collection RCA publisehd in 2012/2013).


KON-BAN-WA !! - Brilliant Sylvie on stage.
This live record, however, offers listenrs such great pleasures : her spontaneous cheeful greeting in Japanese KON BAN WA-- !! (good evening/bonsoir) as showing up to stage, an attractive fresh voice and singing rough and audacious still delicate, talk in clear English, laugher in an innocent tone and many more. It reveals her personality a lot. Sylvie truly free, humorous, patient, considerate, warm and all that. Simply a precious audio documentation of Sylvie Vartan.







Sylvie Vartan performing in a legendary red jumpsuit by Yves Saint-Laurent:
ME AND BOBBY McGEE - from Janis Joplin's album PEARL just released posthumously (11 January 1971).



Another SYLVIE A TOKYO 1971 (LP LIVE); two kinds of the live record released in the same year.
Recorded on 21 May 1971 in Tokyo at Shinjuku Koseinenkin Kaikan.

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"AIME MOI" / "LA MARITZA" (1971 SINGLES/RCA JAPAN)
Sylvie Vartan's two hit songs in 1971, following the veritable success of LES HOMMES (qui n'ont plus rien a perdre) and IRRESISTIBLEMENT in 1970. AIME MOI released in March 1971 and entered in the the ORICON music charts (ranking 100 best selling singles) for 13 weeks and LA MARITZA (French original version) in early June, right after her 2nd Japan tour in May (8-26 May 1971), entered in the charts for 7 weeks.

The liner note of La Maritza says: Sylvie Vartan sang LA MARITZA in Janasese-language version in this concert tour. I could't help smilling with joy or with admiration to learn that; however, It seems impossible that Vartan sings it in Japanese so soon since it was 24-25 May, toward the end of the tour (8-26 May 1971) Vartan recorded the Japanese version in Tokyo. Then, if this concert tour means the 1972 tour (not 1971), this single LA MARITZA (original version) was released in 1972.
After all, I always think Sylvie Vartan's Japanese has a kind of grace.

About the photograph of the vinyls, I just wonder at RCA Japan's thinking, that is they clung to her image of the early 1960s up until 1971. Actually, a rising star Vartan never stuck the successful 1965 (the age 20, the year of her 1st Japan tour). As time passes, she changed her hairstyle and had much longer hair towards 1970 and was intensely seeking and exploring new things professionally.

(The Japanese version of LA MARITZA is packed in the French 21-CD set - Les Annees RCA Integral Studio 1961/1986 - published in 1995)

A: Aime Moi/ B: Dans Tes Bras


A: La Maritza (French) / B: Carousel (English/written and composed: Tomy Brown/Micky Jones)

These vinyls are among those I purchased in early 1990s in a famous flea market in Paris.

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* * *

"SYLVIE A L'OLYMPIA 1970" - "SYLVIE VARTAN IN PERSON" (RCA JAPAN 1971)
Sylvie Vartan's landmark concert live at L'Olympia Paris: 17/09-08/10/1970.


C'EST BON DE VOUS VOIR (lyrics: Fogerty)
Openning number of L'Olympia Paris 1970

Depuis que j'ai parcouru des routes / J'ai visite bien des pays / Aussi croyez moi quand j'ajoute
C'est bon de revenir ici / C'est bon de vous voir / Mes amis bonsoir
J'aime vous sentir la dans le noir

Depuis que j'ai fait de long voyage / Enfin je vous ai retrouve / J'ai fait mille fois mes bagages
C'est bon un jour de s'arreter / Ho oui ! C’est bon de vous voir / Mes amis bonsoir
J'aime vous sentir la dans le noir

Depuis que de rires et de larmes / Mais l'important c'est d’etre la / Chacun de nous choisit ses armes
Ce soir je veux chanter ma joie / Ho oui ! C’est bon de vous voir / Mes amis bonsoir
J'aime vous sentir la dans le noir

C'est bon de vous voir/ Mes amis bonsoir / Je vais chanter pour vous ce soir
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* * *

"IRRESISTIBLEMENT" (1970 SINGLE/RCA JAPAN)>


Sylvie Vartan's third huge hit "Irresistiblement," released in Nov. 1970 and ranked in the Top music 20 of the ORICON music charts (ranking the best-performing 100 singles) for three weeks rising to No.18 in Feb. 1971. On the market right after "Les Hommes qui n'ont plus rien a perdre," the major hit for months in 1970 that cemented her status in Japan.

This excellent piece of music has a superb Japanese title: "ANATA NO TORIKO." It means "Crazy for you" in English: TORIKO, you get crazy (enchanted); NO, for (by); ANATA, you. Indeed, It is an enchantement, fascination, magic that Sylvie Vartan brings us.

"Irresistiblement" took again Japan by storm around 2002. Ranked in ORICON music charts (its highest 19th place). It won the heart of the adolescents first and then exploded in popularity beyond generations ever since. It's a love song, a tune not just cheerful and courageous but somehow very moving in total, perhaps because of Sylvie Vartan's natural, unconstained singing and tone of husky voice with a bit of melancholy as well as the unique and fantastic music with instruments such as tambourine, which seems unreproducible.

I got this vinyl (Japanese single record of 1970) in Paris in early 1990s. It had a little stain on the jacket but cost far more than other used Japanese albums I bought there. The jacket photo, the same as "Les Homme...," it's Sylvie around 1964 (at age around 19 or 20) but actually she was with much longer hair in 1970. Also, strangely, it's a reverse printing, still Sylvie is pretty, for she has an exceptionally beautiful visage, including eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips, all well balanced. In fact,she parts her hair on the right (like the monochrome photo below right).






Album compilation of 12 titles including 2 smash hits issued early 1971: IRRESISTIBLEMENT/LES HOMMES
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* * *

"LES HOMMES QUI N'ONT PLUS RIEN A PERDRE" (1970 SINGLE/RCA JAPAN)

Sylvie Vartan's second huge success (*) for months since its release in July 1970 in Japan, following her signature piece "La Plus Belle Pour Aller Danser" (Nov.1964 release and 1.2 mil sales in Japan). Brave and courageous tone of voice and singing and distinctively husky voice of Sylvie Vartan - wild still warm, graceful and all - go simply great with this impressive protest song about soldiers ended in vain. Everything about this piece of music including a nostalgic melody, narration, refrain and her forceful tone of voice echo through listeners' heads forever. She won a lot of new fans (myself included) and a robust popularity in Japan. It's packed on her two vinyls, Live in Japan 1971 and 1973.

* ORICON music charts (ranking the best-performing 100 singles): No.11 in Nov. 1970, ranked consistently in the Top 20 for seven (7) months.

( * ORICON Inc.：Japan's established sales research firm. The charts exist since 1968.)

It's an unforgettable single of Sylvie Vartan and something most special to me, not only because of the song itself and her voice but also her beautiful visage well balanced including her lips firmly clamped or something, which seems to reveal unyielding belief in herself or spirit of Sylvie Vartan.

Sylvie with a little makeup in this jacket photo (at age 19 in around 1963/1964?) moved me so much at first glance. This single was my elder sister's. Looking at the sleeve photo, I even made a portrait with a pencil, which no longer exists. Later, I found it's one of her iconic looks.

In 2008 at Shibuya Orchard Hall, Tokyo, Sylvie presented us with this hit tune for the first time in thirty years or so. Her voice and singing were all richer than ever in this concert. It was the first time I saw Sylvie sing it. I was living my dream.




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* * *

"AIME-MOI" (JULY 1970)
Sylvie Vartan's 1970 fantastic memorable album, recorded in America in the spring of 1970, with remarkable songs and its cover full of fantasy. It's released in July in France ahead of her L'Olympia Paris for September 1970, the first concert after her 2nd serious car accident outside Paris on 20 February. (This time, Sylvie was in the front passenger seat.)

Sylvie with a wig looks like Le Petit Prince of Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I once had a beautiful huge black-and-white poster of Sylvie Vartan with the same wig holding a guitar in full length, which I bought at a poster boutique in a local city. Sylvie in the famous red jumpsuit - made by Yves Saint-Laurent for her L'Olympia Paris 1970, for which she prepared mainly in New York.

The album shortly after the unexpected accident and show at L'Olympia Paris 1970 reveal extraordinary strength and passion for music and being an uncommon concert live performer of Sylvie Vartan.


Aime-moi
Carrouse
Puisque tu t'en vas
Dans tes bras
Round stone river
Apprend-moi (Friendship Train (1969) / Gladys Knight and the Pips)
Les hommes qui n'ont plus rien a perdre
J'ai deux mains, j'ai deux pieds, une bouche et puis un nez
Entre nuit et jour
Si J'etait general
Ma petite ombre
Abracadabra

* bonus to the version released in 2013 "Ultimate Collection"
La chassee a l'homme
Loup
L'herbe folle
Beaucoup d'amour, un peu de patience
Je t'appelle
Abracadabra (version italian)
Wolf ( "Loup" in English)
Here they come ("L'herbe folle" in English)


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* * *

DISCOGRAPHY 1960S

BALLADE POUR UNE FUGUE (1969) - LA MARITZA (1968)  - 2'35 DE BONHEUR (1967) - IL Y A DEUX FILLES EN MOI (1966)
 
GIFT WRAPPED FROM PARIS (1965) - SYLVIE A NASHVILLE / LA PLUS BELLE (1964) -  EN ECOUTANT LA PLUIE (1963) - SYLVIE (1962)

"BALLADE POUR UNE FUGUE" (1969 SINGLE/RCA FRANCE)

A dramatic rich singing of Sylvie Vartan and the music, which ring through head and stay in once we listened to it. One good piece of music seems something like a good little short film.

This French vinyl I encountered and got in Paris in early 1990s. The shop owner of a small used discs at the counter took it from somewhere behind the counter and played for me. The shop space was exposed to marvelous loud sound like in a movie theater. I was drifting on the air. He grinned and was kind of beaming with pride: he was proud of this Sylvie Vartan, his choice.
A great buy even without a sleeve or liner note, as he said previously.

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* * *

"SYLVIE VARTAN - LA MARITZA" (1968)
Sylvie Vartan's one of major albums with a masterpiece of photograph featuring her signature songs "La Maritza" and "Irresistiblement." A symblic jacket photo represents classy Sylvie (age 23) that you'll never forget it after seeing it once. Sylvie in a fabulous costume, which Yves Saint-Laurent made for Sylvie Vartan L'Olympia Paris 1968. The iconic super-plush white dress with adornment like intricate fabric detailing, jewelry stone handwork.

photo : French album released in Sept 1968 "Sylvie Vartan - La Maritza" (I got it in France in 1990s.)



La Maritza - a notable biographical song the same as Mon Pere (1972) - is known almost globally, judging from listeners' reaction on the Internet. A touching melody and Sylvie Vartan's singing high notes and elegant soulful voice impress us immediately.

La Maritza written/composed/arranged per P. Delanoe / J. Renard / Eddie Vartan (1968) :

La Maritza c'est ma riviere / Comme la Seine est la tienne /
Mais il n'y a que mon pere / Maintenant qui s'en souvienne / Quelquefois / .... /
Et pourtant les yeux fermes / Moi j'entends mon père chanter /
Ce refrain : La la la la ...

(The Maritza is my river / like the Seine is yours /
but my father is the only one / who remembers it now / from time to time / ... /
Still, closing my eyes / I hear my father sing /
this refrain : la la la la ... )


photo : CD 2012 (two sides), re-edition of the original album (photo above)



EP La Maritza/Jolie Poupee released in May 1969 (RCA Japan)



* * *

"Sylvie - 2'35 DE BONHEUR" (1967)
An iconic album of Sylvie Vartan featuring "Par amour, par pitie" and "2 Minutes 35 de Bohneur." Both pieces show one-of-a-kind talent of Vartan. She appreciates "Par amour, par pitie."
A beautiful album jacket and inside photos captured one of iconic looks and moves (during the album recording) of Sylvie Vartan.

It's also full of good songs such as "Donne moi ton amour" （Gimme some lovin'）that's often in the set list for her concert. There's an unforgettable dynamic rock'n roll opening scene of Sylvie Vartan 2008 - "Nouvelle Vague" (her album title) Tour 2008 - with this song. Her elegantly free and brisk movements with very long strides to the music thrilled me in Tokyo (Orchard Hall, Shibuya). Sylvie Vartan, such a beauty on the stage. Somethig of beauty is a forever joy.




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"IL Y A DEUX FILLES EN MOI" (1966)
Sylvie Vartan's 5th remarkable album including unforgettable melodies. Her singing voice resonates with your heart after hearing every one of them once. Sylvie Vartan - a rich and profound singer and personality - can not be easily categorized or defined. Sylvie has dynamics in dancing and singing rock'n'roll with elegance, still her performance of slow songs and ballade are equally unforgettable.


Il Y A Deux Filles En Moi
Quand Tu Es La (Game Of Love)
Le Pays Que J'ai Invente
Il Faut Trouver Son Coin De Ciel (Beyond The Rising Sun)
Cette Lettre-La
Tourne, Tourne, Tourne (Turn, Turn, Turn)
Si Tu N'existais Pas
Ce Jour-La
Dis-Lui Qu'Il Revienne
Et Pourtant Je Reste La
C'Etait Trop Beau
De Ma Vie

Orchestre: Eddie Vartan





* * *

"GIFT WRAPPED FROM PARIS" (1965)
Brilliant Sylvie Vartan's simply fresh album, her 1st recording all in English in America, November 1964. Sylvie (20) sings so freely as if marking her youth with her special thrilling husky voice, with lots of humor, sometimes like a boy. Sylvie Vartan full of charm! She makes me smile.
Sylvie retook "I Can't Make Him Look At Me" for her 2015 album "Une Vie en Musique," recording in Sofia, Paris, Los Angeles. Sylvie Vartan, always a tomboy.


I Can't Make Him Look At Me
One More Day
I Heard Somebody Say
One More Time, Encore une fois
My Boyfriend's Back
Since You Don't Care
I Wish You Well
Love Has Laid His Hands on Me
Gonna Cry
It's Not a Game
Alley Oop


* * *


"SYLVIE A NASHVILLE" (1964)

Sylvie Vartan's third album recorded in RCA Victor Nashville studio in Sept. 1963 at age 19, under the direction of Chet Atkins. It includes an unique song that became a phenomenal hit worldwide and the signature piece for Sylvie Vartan: "La Plus Belle Pour Aller Danser." It's said that a Japanese version of the single record ( * ) released Nov. 1964 in Japan was sold 1.2 million copies. One and only voice and full of dreams!

Sylvie Vartan is unquestionably gifted with charm: a magical husky voice, spontaneous singing, incomparable beauty, sheer elegance... Her voice sounds at the same time punchy, sweet, melancholic, graceful and her singing unique in her own way; it instantly gets us feel completely dreamy.
No wonder many Japanese music fans loved her at once and finally her first apparition on TV at the time of her first Japan concert tour in 1965 (May 8 to May 20) boosted her enormous popularity. With grace, gaiety, mixed charm, individuality and all that in her singing and dancing, Sylvie Vartan fascinates beyond space and time.


( * The single record (photo above/Sylvie Vartan (20) in her iconic SONIA RYKIEL) shows as : "Original soundtrack featured in the film CHERCHEZ L'IDOLE" (1964). That's where comes from the Japanese song title (Cherchez L'idole), which was a part of marketing strategy of RCA Japan.)



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* * *


"EN ECOUTANT LA PLUIE (RHYTHM OF THE RAIN)" (1963)

Sylvie Vartan has a wonderful freshness. Sylvie (19) covered in 1963 RHYTHM OF THE RAIN in French, a song of the American band The Cascades (released in the US in Nov. 1962) and had her big hit. In late 1963, RCA Japan launched for the first time Sylvie Vartan, the hottest rising star in France. I'M WACHING YOU is a piece written per Paul Anka for Sylvie Vartan. (Recording in 1963 with her brother Eddie Vartan and his orchesta).

Sylvie with her kitten, which is often seen in pictures of the day. She gives small animals (dogs, cats) lots of love ever since her adolescent girl. Her first pet was a white lapin (rabbit) in early childhood (around age 3) in Sofia.



photo: from Volume 1 of the Sylvie Vartan Les Annees RCA 1961-1964 (21-CD set Vol.1-10/RCA France/1995)


* * *

"SYLVIE" (1962)

Moi je pence encore a toi (Neil Sedaka)
Quand le film est triste (Roy Orbison)
L'ampur c'est aimer la vie
Baby c'est vous
Les vacances se suivent (Eddie Vartan)
Dansons
Le Loco-Motion (Carole King)
M'amuser (Eddie Vartan)
Tous mes copains (Jean-Jacques Debout)
Gong Gong (Ike Turner)
Comme l'ete dernier
Ne le decois pas
Cri de ma vie (Cindy Walker)
Est-ce que tu le sais? (Ray Charles)




"SYLVIE" - First album of Sylvie Vartan (18) released in November 1962 in France that includes "Le Loco-Motion, " "Tous Mes Copains."

On 30 April 1964, YOMIURI Shimbun (one of Japanese 3 major newspapers) published a photo article New Albums Coming In MAY 1964 - a shot review of the album together with The Beatles' - the previous year of Sylvie Vartan's first Japan Tour (May 1965) ： -

"SYLVIE" of Sylvie Vartan and "She Loves You" of The Beatles, to name good albums of young artists. "Sutekina VARTAN," (Japanese version of the french album "SYLVIE," which you get "Cracking/fantastic VARTAN.") , Sylvie Vartan - a 19-year-old rising star in France, born in Bulgaria - sings with a punchy voice. This "sutekina," (cracking in english) beautiful and pretty singer has a lot of pure and innocent sexuality; the type of singer we never find anywhere in Japan.

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TOP COVER ALBUM


"NOUVELLE VAGUE" (2007)
- RELEASED ALSO IN JAPAN TO MARK SYLVIE VARTAN JAPAN TOUR 2008

Quality cover album Nouvelle Vague featuring fantastic cover versions of other worldwide artists' songs of 1960s (her young days). Sylvie Vartan's singing voice - remarkably expanded - leaves a lingering impression. There is a lot to feel. Nostalgia, rememblance, spontaneousness, energy, joys etc. Even a kind of sadness as well in her voice especially for the song Le Temps de L'amour. All of that makes this album even more special.

Album made in USA released in July 2007 in France ( * ); Feb. 2008 in Japan with an amazing bonus:

"Preghero"　-　 cover in Italian of "Stand By Me."

In contrast with her flamboyant appearance on the album jacket, she looks sad in a way. Actucally, several years before and after the album release are appearently the hardest period in life for Sylvie Vartan, for her dearest mother had been suffering from a desease and passed away in California just before the CD issue day.
She is a person and an artist who has a greater sense of creativity in most difficult times in life (including the two car accidents in her early 20s) and find a way in her passion on music.





1. Il est cinq heures, Paris s'eveille
2. Nouvelle vague
3. Le temps de L'amour
4. Ruby Tuesday (Rolling Stones)
5. Suzanne (C. Cohen)
6. Attends ou va-t-en (S. Gainsbourg)
7. Dans le souffle du vent (Blowin' in the Wind/Dylan)
8. Les yeux ouverts
9. Ya ya twist
10. J'attendrai
11. Drive my car (the Beatles)
12. Chante
13. I'm a believer (the Monkees)
14. Et je m'en vais
15. Souvenirs, souvenirs
Bonus track (in Japan): Preghero (Stand by me)(in Italian)


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* * *

"SESSIONS ACOUSTIQUES" (1994 FRANCE/JAPAN)

"Sessions Acoustiques" : Sylvie Vartan's promiment (self-cover) studio recording in 1993 with acoustic guitar and instrument. It is alive, having a special flavor and a kind of immediacy. One of her best albums that stands out from the rest by the sheer freshness and sweetness, giving a feeling of early summer breeze. The session surrounds her voice even warmer and more rosy than usual. It sounds like creating a momentum.

The last tune "Tes Tendres Annees" is the live version of June 1993 concert (Paris Parc des Princes stadium) where Sylvie sang it a cappella and was in the spotlight. That inspired her to make this acoustic album. A fulfilling recording session that Sylvie with her superb musicians and chorus completed in a relatively short time. (Released also in Japan.)


Sylvie Vartan in burgundy velvet tight pantalon. It was one of the periods her impressive beauty stood out. Actually, the close-up of Sylvie (in black pantalon suit) on every single appearance on French TV was such a fascination !



Sylvie Vartan (ELLE FRANCE no.4 april 1994)



* * *

"LA REINE DE SABA" (1974/RCA JAPAN PROJECT)


Liner note inside the Japanese original album says it's a special album of Sylvie Vartan recorded in 1974, responding to RCA Japan poposal, and released in the same year, soon after her 5th Japan concert tour 1974 ( * ). It includes (on the side 2) Rock'n Roll Man, her original song.

( * 1 Oct. to 23 Oct.1974 : 20 concerts in 17 cities, from north to south of the Japanese archipelago - Hokkaido to Kyushu - , as usual.)

The special album for Japan consists of variety of numbers including many traditional French songs (so-called "chanson" in Japan), still it is turned out to be the most uncommon recording of Sylvie Vartan; the rock'n roller's vivid attracitve huskier voice and delightful singing/vocal in some numbers. Indeed, we can enjoy the best thing about Sylvie Vartan in this album. Irresistiblement Sylvie!


side 1. ：
La Reine de Saba / Love is blue / Hymne a L'amour / Les feuilles mortes / The music played / Les moulins de mon couer

side 2. ：
Holidays / Rock'n Roll Man (original song of Sylvie Vartan) / Ne me quittes pas / Bang bang / Dadou Ron Ron / Qui saura



photos below: Sylvie Vartan Japan tour 1974 schedule / CD re-edition 2013 (from French Vinyl Reprica Collection "Ultimate Collection")


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LES ANNEES RCA INTEGRAL STUDIO (1961-1986) - (RCA France 1995)
BOX SET OF COMPLETE WORKS IN 21-CD, VOLUME 1 - 10


photo below: VOLUME No.10 of Sylvie Vartan Complete Studio Works (Vol.1-10/21 discs). From a collection of Sylvie Vartan's spectacular 25 years period in RCA, which is a part - less than half - of her extensive career spanning over six decades.


A simply wonderful practical and useful 21-CD set in a cubic shape open box with a booklet filled with interviews, photographs and a chronological history of the artist. A jewelry box, worth more than its price or anything. (release in Oct 1995)

VOLUME No. 10 - TITRES ETRANGERS ET INEDITS - (fabulous bonus: 4 discs) containing titles in several different language versions ( * ) and outtakes (recorded music not included in edited alubms). Sylvie, an authentic international performer travelled around the globe.

( * English, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese, besides French)







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DVD CONCERT LIVE


"SYLVIE LIVE" - L'OLYMPIA PARIS 2009 (DVD 2010) - SYLVISSIME




"SYLVIE LIVE" - Sylvie Vartan's DVD Live L'Olympia Paris 2009. Fascinating DVD because of visually appealing image of Sylvie Vartan, that is, her beautiful innate visage including the black costumes and hairstyle that look absolutely best on her. In fact, she looks as natural and graceful as she really is.
Le Smoking noir (black tuxedo), signature style of Sylvie Vartan as well as the white corsage on her black velvet dress collar look chic. Corsage is one of her forever favorite styles. In 1960s and especially in 1970s, she often put it on long simple dresses and tuxedos. "Sylvie Live" reminds me of my first impression and my permanent image of Sylvie Vartan.

Bien entendu, it's a striking and memorable concert as a whole impression, under the theme of her new album "Toutes peines confondues," with its surprisingly simple still creative minimal "mise en scene." Remarkable light effects using only blue and achromatic color.
Sylvie Vartan comes on stage serenely from the dark center, which is an emotionally stirring moment. It's without dancers or dance of Sylvie herself, perhaps for the first time in her career.

Best part of this live for me comes toward the end of 1st part, besides beautiful Signe Sagan. That is a series of strong five songs: Un peu de tendresse, Mon enfance, Darina, L'amour c'est comme les bateaux, La chanteuse a 20 ans; totally admirable soulful powerful singing and elegance of Sylvie Vartan, by which the audience must be blown away.

2nd part opening by a French legendary couple Sylvie Vartan and Johnny Hallyday (her ex-husband/1965-1980), a rare duet. Another captivating scene, "L'amour avec des sentiments" with more of an artistic creativity of Sylvie Vartan, who aspired to be actress.

In contrast to her previous concerts, subtlety and tranquility dominate in the beginning and ending of this DVD Live 2009. Sylvie Vartan at the same time gorgeous and silent.

DVD "SYLVIE LIVE" : 1) Amazon Japan, 2) Amazon France




1st part : - La vie d'artiste (french classic chanson)/ Je n'aime encore que toi/ Sur un fil / Je chante le blues (new)/ Une Lettre d’amour　(new)/ L'un part l'autre reste (cover) (new)/ Ebony & Ivory (cover) (new)/ Signe Sagan (new) / Par amour par pitie/ Rupture/ Un peu de tendresse/ Mon enfance (french classic chanson) (new)/ Darina/ L'amour c'est comme les bateaux/ La chanteuse a 20 ans (french classic chanson) (new)

2nd part : - L'hymne a l'amour/ Non je ne regrette rien （with Johnny Hallyday）(french classic chanson)/ La plus belle pour aller danser/ La Maritza/ Gone gone gone(cover)/ Toutes peines confondues (new)/ C'est fatal/ Aime-moi（DVD only)/ L'amour avec des sentiments (new)/ Aimer/ Non je ne suis plus la meme/ Je chante encore l'amour/ La chanteuse a 20 ans





"TOUTES PEINES CONFONDUES" (2009) / 日本盤："恋の手紙" (2011)
left below/French version released 09/2009（cover by：Pierre et Gilles, right/Japanese version released 12/01/2011.

・　私はブルースを歌う/Je chante le blues
・　サガンのペンで/Signe Sagan
・　時には愛で抱かれたい/L'amour avec des sentiments
・　囚われなく生きよう/Ne s'attacher a rien
・　そんな気がする/Il me semble
・　悲しみは全部まざって/Toutes peines confondues
・　火はやがて灰に/A laisser ou a prendre
・　ひとりが出てゆく時/L'un part l'autre reste
・　恋の手紙/Une lettre d'amour
・　これが私/Ce que je suis
・　メランコリー/Melancolie
・　女歌手は20歳/La chanteuse a vingt ans　

　　 ・ Bonus for Japanese version（new recording）： 　1) あなたのとりこ/Irresistiblement 2)アイドルを探せ/La plus belle pour aller danser



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"SYLVIE VARTAN PALAIS DES CONGRES DE PARIS 2008" (DVD 2008)

Recalling Sylvie Vartan in Tokyo 2008 (Orchard Hall,Shibuya) following her Palais des Congres de Paris, it presented characteristic two different aspects of Sylvie Vartan, thrillingly entertaining and profoundly touching and nostalgic while her voice was remarkably more powerful and stretched than ever before.

Sylvie Vartan brings us to life. A superb opening with　"Donne moi ton amour," 　and 　guitarist Michael Ohayon.　Sylvie vividly came forward with long long steps and gracefully slided across the stage. Amazing. Indeed, I said to myself c'est cela, la merveilleuse performer Sylvie Vartan! It was an absolute eye-opening scene.
"Dans le souffle du vent" (Browin' In the Wind - cover of Bob Dylan in French) was just as soul-stirring as "Moya Goro" (a Bulgarian folklore she sang - almost a cappella - in her Japan tour 1992). "Nouvelle vague," "American Night (I don't want the night to end)," "Mon pere." were also impressive songs.

"Mon pere" (My father), it made me immediately shed tears - my first experience - in each of the three concerts. Her singing was not at all whining nor sentimental but rather much simpler. Perhaps, she was holding emotions. And perhaps, I heared at once a sort of emptiness and sadness in her voice, after the demise of her mother in the previous early summer, June 2007.

In contrast with her other concerts, this memorable event remains in my heart as something most emotional, striking and even haunting together with the album "Nouvelle Vague," which also leaves a lingering impression. (Released Jul. 2007 in France / Feb. 2008 in Japan with a fantastic bonus: "Preghero" (cover in Italian of "Stand By Me").

A N E C D O T E　 -
One noteworthy thing in TOKYO was many female audiences' reaction in the end. They demonstrated ( ! ) their longtime passion and love for Sylvie Vartan, rushing down at once to all the long aisles and were waving to Sylvie on the stage to their hearts' content. An unforgettable scene.


Appearance of the products counts. The photos of this DVD seem to be least appealing, using even the worst on the disk and I do not show it here. I often wonder why they pick up the least best or less appropriate photos for the cover of CDs and books of Sylvie Vartan, including her autobiography (a bestseller of 2004) or Mot a Mot (2012). Is it the result of strict selection? (Here, it's not question of retouching or easy rework, often the worst thing recently removing even her nature, personality,innate quality.)

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"SYLVIE VARTAN PALAIS DES CONGRES DE PARIS 2004" (DVD 2005) - SYLVISSIME

the costume of Sylvie Vartan au Palais des Congres de Paris 2004 : CHANEL (Karl Lagerfeld)

Gorgeous, powerful, vivacious Sylvie Vartan accompanied by fresh and new dancers and chorus and musicians. All the audience exploding in exultation !

We will all watch it with a pounding heart from the introduction with an effective dramatic sound of bell. Searing numbers and images: "Je ne plaisante pas," "Gime me a reason," "Noir c'est noir," "Ouvre moi le ciel" among others. Many songs from the latest album SYLVIE (2004).

In Tokyo, in March 2005 at Orchard Hall, some audiences were shrieking of joy waiting for Sylvie coming out onto the stage. Indeed, many Japanese music fans were still feeling as excited as in 2002 when "Irresistiblement" ( * ) took again Japan by storm beyond generations.
( * Sylvie Vartan's big splash in Japan during Nov. 1970 through to the beginning of summer 1971, following Les Hommes.)

One of the best filming of the grand and immense spectacles of Sylvie Vartan such as Palais des Sports Paris 1981. It shows the view of the large stage above and every angle as well as enthusiasm and spontaneity of the audiences revealing their joy with delightful reactions and expressions. Can't take our eyes off the screen throughout the concert, as if we were in the spectacular hall. Sylvie Vartan with her team has an overwhelming energy and beauty performing Medley Rock'N'Roll before the spectators.









♥　♥　♥　♥　♥

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L'ALBUM SYLVIE VARTAN