Sister Josephine’s « ancestry »

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  • 5 November 2012 at 4:37 pm #6068
    Michel A
    Participant

      Sister Josephine’s « ancestry »
      A couple of years ago Jean-Pierre Gabilan ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB9WEjTirDk ) told me that Jake Thackray had been inspired, when writing his famous Sister Josephine, by the fake religious character featured in one of Francis Blanche’s songs : « Sœur Marie-Louise ».
      So, a few days ago, when I discovered some videos of performances by Les quatre barbus on the web, among which that very song … I obviously got quite interested.
      Blanche’s song is completely different, both in tune and lyrics, from Jake’s but … it remains that the two characters have a lot in common. Besides, in one of his verses, Blanche reveals fake Marie-Louise’s real name : Joseph ! « See what you think » … ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym_JaCItgd8 )
      Now, if you don’t dislike Les quatre barbus, and have a taste for songs that add a touch of religious solemnity to « somewhat daring » songs, what about that one : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht5FI4eiu2Y ?

      5 November 2012 at 5:38 pm #6069
      Judith
      Participant

        Hullo Michael

        Interesting post, and what is more I have been a great fan of Les 4 Barbus in my time. I have a 10″ vinyl by them called “Chansons Paillardes”, which I bought in Geneva back in the 1950s when I was working there. It contains Les Filles de la Rochelle, and a variety of other numbers that are equally daring. I shall take time for a good search on YouTube to see if there is anything there I haven’t heard. Thanks for giving me a good reason to refresh my knowledge of the French language!

        8 November 2012 at 1:33 pm #6072
        Michel A
        Participant

          Thanks for this, Judith ! You do ring an incredible number of bells : the four fellows singing « à l’enseigne de la fille sans cœur », that lovely song by Jean Villard Gilles whose poem « La Venoge » is a real Leman pearl … and Colette Renard with her chansons « gaillardes », echoing Jake’s Isobel in her most daring moves ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V4JkG9bme8 ) …
          Well, now, to remind us all that past and present are but one, how about having a go at this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1ycs4adsQ ?

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