| Chanson française |
If you are learning French, here is an excellent way to grasp the poetic mindset of what might be the last true singer-songwriter of his kind in France. This artist, politically unaligned and standing apart from current global trends, offers a breath of fresh air in these trying times. Like all poets, his themes revolve around love and brotherhood, occasionally brushing against politics with an intelligence and delicacy that have become his hallmark. His debut album, Balbutiements, was released in 1973, but it was in 1977 that a few of the rare radio stations in France at the time began to broadcast and rebroadcast two of his timeless hits—La Belle and T’As Beau Pas Être Beau. Later, with the advent of FM radio in France in 1981, he was among the few French artists to be embraced by this new medium eager for innovation.
Nostalgia is another recurring theme in his work, and in his latest album, the song Danseur sur Gazon is undoubtedly its most exquisite illustration. Louis Chedid has always maintained a distinctive style, timeless and akin to a storyteller who arrives at your door to share his prose. In 2022, rather than releasing a traditional Best Of, Chedid revisited some of his most beloved songs with pianist Yvan Cassar in a stripped-down album titled En Noires et Blanches. I wrote about it here: Paris Move Review.
An essential poet, Chedid is also a delight to read; he has authored two remarkable novels, 40 Berges Blues (1991) and a collection of short stories, Des Vies et des Poussières (2015). His humanity shines through his work—on this album, for instance, he addresses the plight of migrants in Comme Vous. Yet, rather than adopting the stance of a critic, he speaks simply and sincerely from his heart. This honesty is his strength, placing him far from the glitter of show business. Louis Chedid has never created albums to sustain a career but out of a genuine artistic necessity.
Of course, some French artists of the 1960s managed to achieve international recognition. However, the French language—far from being universal and in noticeable decline over recent decades—has often acted as a barrier to crossing borders. In hindsight, one can confidently say that Louis Chedid stands as one of the most significant French artists of the 20th century. Remaining steadfast in his beliefs, he crafts his lyrics with the precision of a jeweler, ensuring they resonate with as broad an audience as possible. His work often carries an educational value that transcends the art itself. This very idea is encapsulated in one of the tracks from his new album, L’Inspiration. It is for all these reasons that Bayou Blue Radio, though primarily a jazz station, features every new album by Louis Chedid. This is a testament to his decades of dedication to his craft and a recognition that a song can be far more than a trite refrain, echoing hollow words of love.
It is impossible to say whether this album surpasses the last; each release by Louis Chedid brings me the same joy as the arrival of a new book by the late Paul Auster. Both artists share an elegance and subtlety in their respective crafts, leaving an enduring mark on their audiences.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 22nd 2024
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