Johnny Hallyday - Le Pénitencier

[Pete C]

I've known of Johnny Hallyday for many years - my French teacher was French and used to talk about him and I've seen him in magazines and on French TV but was, like most of us probably are, not familiar with his work. I saw that there was a million people lining the streets of Paris for his funeral and it shows the massive love the French people had for him.

The song I've chosen is Le Pénitencier, released in 1964, but performed in different styles by Johnny over the last 50 years as his music evolved. I've tried to includes some of the 60's aspects and the more modern versions.

I know we have a number of French members on Songcrafters and hope, if they listen, that they will enjoy it - respect to them for singing in English - it's strange singing in another language from your own !

Pete

[Hilary]

Ah this is great Pete - I've had a go a this one in the past and it's not easy is it!

[Groundy]

Pete, This is outstanding, what a brilliant version.
Take a bow.
Really well done...

Alex.

[Jean Pierre]

Bravo Pete c'est génial et c'est très gentil pour les usagers français de SC

Je n'étais pas un fan inconditionnel de Johnny Halliday mais en France c'était une immense idole qui chantait en France le Rock and Roll depuis les années 60
c'etait une "bete de scene" et il savait s'entourer de compositeur exceptionnel (Charles Aznavour, Philippe Labro, Michel Berger, Jean Jacques Goldman etc...) et surtout d'une bande de musicien très très bon.

Merci encore cher Pete pour cet hommage

En echange j'ai l'intention de poster une version du Pénitencier en version francaise (mais une autre version de Hugue Auffray, avec des paroles plus proche de la chanson originale car il est question de cette maison du soleil levant ...qui en fait etait à New Orleans un bordel !) je voudrais le faire pour inclure la partie Dobro de Mike Aulbridge que je trouve très belle


Bravo Pete it's great and it's very nice for French users of SC....and your french accent is excellent

and a great  tribut to Johnny Halliday


I was not an ardent fan of Johnny Halliday but in France it was a huge idol who had been singing rock and roll in France since the 60's
he was a "beast of the scene" and he knew how to surround himself with exceptional composer (Charles Aznavour, Philippe Labro, Michel Berger, Jean Jacques Goldman etc ...) and especially of a band of very good musician.

Thanks again dear Pete for this tribute

In exchange I intend to post a version of the Penitentiary in French version (but another version of Hugue Auffray, with lyrics closer to the original song because it is about this house of the rising sun ... which in done was in New Orleans a mess!)   I would like to do that to include Mike Aulbridge's Dobro part that I find very beautiful


PS I download your version to put in my facebook page for my french friends...

[kenny mac]

So good mate,hat off to you for doing it in French also.
Your accent on this seems very very good.
I've been playing about with the idea of learning spanish so you've spurred me on to do that
Excellent track,well done.

[Pete C]

Thanks for your comments !  What I like about Songcrafters is how it inspires you to try something different.
Pete

[Jean Pierre]

What I like about Songcrafters is how it inspires you to try something different.
Pete

Exactly my opinion Pete

[Groundy]

Like Oliver,
I'm back for more...


Alex

[cuthbert]

Really cool version, Pete - and a very nice tribute to Johnny Hallyday, may he RIP.

[Mike_S]

Yeah, great work Pete, not familiar with Johnny Halliday's music, but you sure did a good job with this. And in French too, very brave, bravo!

Mike