Name: French Ballads
Brand: Barney Wilen

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

5990440

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-11-19

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

8435395503034

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Barney Wilen

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Elemental

Jazz tenor saxophonist, Barney Wilen, was born on March 4, 1937 in Nice, France. He had an American father and a French mother. Encouraged by writer Blaise Cendrars, a friend of his mother, Barney began performing in clubs at a young age.
In 1957, Barney's career took off when he was recruited by Miles Davis to create the music for Louis Malle's film "Ascenseur pour l'echafaud". Alongside pianist René Urtreger, bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Kenny Clarke, they improvised and recorded the soundtrack in one night while watching the movie.
Barney went on to record with Thelonious Monk and was chosen by Art Blakey to interpret the music for Roger Vadim's film "Les liaisons dangereuses" in 1960. He also appeared on the TV show Jazz Memories and performed at the Newport Jazz Festival with notable musicians.
In the late 1960s, Barney became interested in rock music and dedicated a record to Timothy Leary. He later ventured into Africa with Caroline de Bendern and created the album "Moshi" which combined jazz and African music. After a period of silence, he composed music for French films in the 1980s-1990s before returning to jazz.

Elemental Music is a label specializing in newly discovered archival or out-of-print jazz and other classic genres. Founded in 2012, this label is the brainchild of American producer Zev Feldman and Spanish producer Jordi Soley. With a passion for unearthing hidden musical gems, Elemental Music brings you *the best* of jazz and classic genres that have been long forgotten.

Established on December 19, 2012, Elemental Music Records SL (NIF/CIF: B65934325) has quickly made a name for itself in the music industry. Led by Zev Feldman and Jordi Soley, this label has become synonymous with quality reissues and rare finds from the world of jazz and other classic genres.

At Elemental Music, we pride ourselves on our ability to bring you *unforgettable* music experiences. Whether it's discovering previously unheard tracks or reliving timeless classics, our catalog is carefully curated to ensure that every release is a masterpiece. Join us on this musical journey as we uncover hidden treasures from the past and introduce them to new generations of music lovers.

French Ballads is Barney Wilen's perfect synthesis between jazz and the French chanson. Newly remastered CD edition from the original 24-track analog master tapes by the original sound engineer, Hervé Le Guil. Deluxe 6-panel digipak presentation - 20-page booklet with specially prepared essays by renowned jazz writers - Philippe Vincent, Bassi, Riccardo Del Fra, drummer Sangoma Everett, and Patrick Wilen. The CD includes 4 previously unreleased alternate takes.

Following the unexpected success of his comeback album La Note Bleue, iconic French saxophonist Barney Wilen embarked right away on his following project, an album consisting of jazz versions of wonderful French chansons. According to Philippe Vincent: "Barely three months after the release of La Note Bleue, I thought that he was going fast, but he was not completely wrong to want to strike while the iron was hot. In addition, it is true that many musicians quickly turn to their next project as soon as the previous one has emerged. His idea was to devote a recording to a repertoire of French melodies, and I was immediately seduced by this proposition, as his playing style and his saxophone phrasing could approach singing." The new album constituted another success and is, because of its repertoire and approach, a quite unique work in the whole story of jazz.

"It's a different Barney Wilen, a different saxophone identity, that resounds on French Ballads. How could it be otherwise? More confident and complex. More comfortable and in tune with the musical progress since the 1950s: one can hear it in the un-rushed freedom of his playing, in the flurries and embellishments he adds. The melodies and lyrics were as familiar to jazz ears as they were to a mainstream audience. Many were associated with popular movies, and together all were sure to ring a bell of national pride. It's a challenge to stop listing favourite moments on French Ballads - discovering this music on one's own should be part of the delight." - Ashley Kahn

Personnel: Barney Wilen (tenor &amp; soprano saxophones), Michel Graillier (piano), Riccardo Del Fra (double bass), Sangoma Everett (drums)

French Ballads

Music GB