Je Suis Un Cowboy

Boy these eyes are sharp - found Dick Rivers’ Tu n’es Plus La mixed in with a bunch of stuff at Borders for $2.99 on Monday night. The argument that the French have nothing but contempt for America and its culture does not stand up when it comes to this guy! While Johnny Hallyday was becoming the Parisian Presley, Dick Rivers (nee Hervé Fornieri) in the sixties fancied himself a Gallic Gene Vincent, the Euro Everly Brother, and has forged a long career as a sort of romantic French Cowboy/Outlaw, doing the obligatory seventies Nashville album and writing westerns. Lucky Luke personified. I live for this shit! The album isn’t bad, mostly covers of popular American songs from the day in a very serious, urgent-sounding French. “Je Ne Peux Pas T’Oubiler” – Doc Pomus’s “Can’t Get Used to Losing You” would appeal to those of us who put The English Beat’s version on lovesick compilation tapes. Merle (“Ring of Fire”) Kilgore’s “The Folk Singer” is oddly re-christened “Sarah Jane”… and there-in lies what is such a hoot about the record – the producers took popular American hits and for the most part, completely changed the lyrics!!! Hence, the title track “Tu n’es Pas La” (You’re Not There) is actually Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou” – and sung in versions espagnole et italienne to hilarious effect. I guess French teens would have been confused - "que’st que c’est cette bayou bleu?.” And “Lets Make a Memory” is “Laisse Parler Ton Couer.” Other highlights: “Mais Oui Baby” (Buddy Holly’s “May Be baby”) and “J'en Suis Fou” (Lennon-Mccartney’s “Love Me Do”). This is the most amazing record in the world (today)!!!

Speaking of incongruous cowboys, picked up Detroit’s The Volebeat’s latest, Country Songs, last night. I really like these guys but have not been able to keep up with/find their releases. Well-crafted tunes of the Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Byrds school – lead singer Matt has a warm, aching, timeless voice. Years ago, I had a wonderful night with these guys at the long-closed 15 Minutes club. I had shown up to see Simon Bonney perform and was just about the only person in the audience – The Volebeats were the opening act and the headliner’s backing band. I am a HUGE Crime & the City Solution fanatic and Simon Bonney’s two critically acclaimed solo albums are absolute masterpieces. The Volebeats & Simon put on a breathtaking show even though it was just me and some office drunks having an extended happy hour. Being a huge fan I was crushed when Mr. Bonney was downright cold to me when I introduced myself. I ended up hanging out with The Volebeat boys and they made me feel a bit better by explaining that Simon was a bit shaky because he was trying to get off of amphetamines (that explains why every CCS song had enough lyrics to fill a Russian novel!). Turns out the Volebeats and I had some mutual friends and we had fun but never stayed in touch. It’s funny because I was chatting with Volebeats and told Greg (?) about how I was really into Gainsbourg and Hardy having grown up with it and he said he was too because his mom is a French teacher. And was actually putting together a side project with a French bent. Well, I haven’t come across it yet. But the Volebeats do cover Gainsbourg’s “Manon” brilliantly on Country Songs. And also ABBA’s “Knowing Me, Knowing You.”

Last night I was determined to watch television – it has been a long time and I needed some time just me and the cable. Also saw the act as a bit of a challenge, beating the sucker to the punch so to speak, and displacing our resident couch-potato. The Great Gold Rush of Tuesday Night. In a “kick-the-can” moment, I raced to the living room couch just as bumblefuck was about to settle in for the long night, and shamelessly laid claim to the couch, exiling him to other quarters for one night. I think I pissed him off but I was stoic, stone-faced, and stood my ground. I can be a real jerk sometimes.

I know I was featuring Paris some time back, but it was just a one-night stand, and carelessly failed to tune into her screenings. Last night was The Simple Life very special reunion special so I thought I’d get up to speed before the finale tonight. The whole affair was charmless. Don’t dig their cowgirl shtick. We now know who Nicole’s real father is and that Sheila E is her aunt. Is this woman her real mother? Also watched the Guardian, which I used to enjoy but grew weary of the roof always caving in on Nick/Lulu and the horrid little girl/Dad and every one being all pent-up, unable to express themselves, and acting out. Well, last night finds Nick finally let down his guard with something called Mystic Blue. He goes on a hazy journey and is visited by his dead mom (I thought I was tripping – was that Glenne Headly? Somebody has had a lot of work done), breaks down, and everyone comes over for an intervention party. Those get-togethers always turn out to be such a drag. Also watched SATC – its time for those gals to pack it in and move to Jersey. So much for TV nite!

Als, somebody noticed me yesterday.

Comments

[alain]

hello man, I read your stuff [ I am a cow boy ] about Simon bonney solo or not solo. If you have info about him or want to collaborate to my website about his solo career, you are more than welcome :-)

alain, brussels, belgium

spock27

[Johnny Hallyday]

Hahaha, very nice post !