Yé-Yé Of The Day: Les Sultans!
I know, I know, there's more to 60's French music than covers of English-language hits, but whenever I hear a French cover of one of my favourite songs that really gets it right, a little chill goes up my spine. With Les Sultans' "Je T'Aime Bien" (AKA The Zombies' "You Make Me Feel Good"), I could hardly believe my ears. I'd heard a couple of crappy French versions of "She's Not There" and figured that there were few bands in any language who could do justice to the brilliance of The Zombies' originals. But Québec's Les Sultans nailed it--the gorgeous folk-rockish guitars, the dead-on harmonies, the tambourine shake--everything is as it should be. All of their songs are great, really, but other titles of note include "Dis-Lui" (The Zombies' "Leave Me Be") and "Il N'y A Rien Au Monde Que Je Ne Ferais Pas..." (The Kinks' "Nothin' In The World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout The Girl"). I'd give my right arm to be 16 back in 1966 Montréal. Damn.
12 commentaires:
Nice blog. I am getting one, I'll be a blogger too.
This is by far the best music blog that I have ever, ever seen. I don't know where you find all of this lovely 60s era Montreal stuff, but it's just f'n lovely.
Thanks.
Some good stuff there. Have you heard Gillian Hills' ace version of Leave me Be (Rentre Sans Moi)? Worth checking out.
i'm a little late in discovering this post.. but WOW! those Zombies covers really blow me away. thanks!
Hey Pedal,
Thanks for the comment, and the picture as well. Very nice. Les Sultans made for a great addition to my radio playlist last week. Quebec rock n' roll resonates only so far in English Canada, so it's nice to have the opportunity to play it here.
Sigh. Are there any threats I can make that will make you return?
Hey pare!
Great site! I'm late to the mp3 blog thing since I've always had crap computers until recently. anyways, I've gotten a great kick out of your downloads - thanks!
Also, your band's demos rock - if you're ver in DC let me know. you must be amazing live!
I grew up with the French yeye stuff as a kid in Paris - I was hoping to devote more time to that on my blog but I just get distacted.
I'll add you to my faves - my salut Les Copains list!
Keep it up!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing these.
Thanks for these tracks! I've been looking for good Zombies covers. Got any more? =)
ulan
http://ulan25.so-phobic.com/blog/index.html
These songs are gorgeous. I can't find anything else by this band, unfortunately.
Hey thanks for these. i bought a Sultans lp at a thrift store years ago, mainly for the cover as the vinyl was so far gone looking. but i got hame and it played like a charm " magic Sixties vinyl" as my friend calls it. i love them and spin it everytime i dj out. cheers, d.t.
Their 2nd LP, "Sultans Express" is even better (there's a song on it called "Bring her Back" that is just sublime).
There was another Quebec band called Les Merseys who did a fantastic cover, in English mind you, of "She's Not There".
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