PE0248. Aristide Bruant (Le Meilleur…). (Holland) 2-EMI 855 937, recorded 1908 & 1913. Very long out-of-print, Final Copy! - 724385593727

CRITIC REVIEW:

“Aristide Bruant (6 May 1851 – 10 February 1925 (aged 73)) was a French cabaret singer, comedian, and nightclub owner. He is best known as the man in the red scarf and black cape featured on certain famous posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. He has also been credited as the creator of the chanson réaliste musical genre. Making his way to the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, he hung out in the working-class bistros, where he finally was given an opportunity to show his musical talents. Although bourgeois by birth, he soon adopted the earthy language of his haunts, turning it into songs that told of the struggles of the poor.

Bruant began performing at cafe-concerts and developed a singing and comedy act that led to his being signed to appear at the Le Chat Noir club. Dressed in a red shirt, black velvet jacket, high boots, and a long red scarf, and using the stage name Aristide Bruant, he soon became a star of Montmartre, and when Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec began showing up at the cabarets and clubs, Bruant became one of the artist's first friends. In 1885, Bruant opened his own Montmartre club, a place he called ‘Le Mirliton’. Although he hired other acts, Bruant put on a singing performance of his own. As the master of ceremonies for the various acts, he used the comedy of the insult to poke fun at the club's upper-crust guests who were out ‘slumming’ in Montmartre. His vaudeville-inspired mix of song, satire and entertainment developed into the musical genre called chanson réaliste (realist song).”

1. Mini Peau D'Chien 2. Belleville Menilmontant 3. Le Chat Noir 4. Batignolles 5. Serrez Vos Rangs 6. Bastille 7. Dans la Rue 8. Glaciere 9. L'Enterrement de Belle Ma 10. Goutte d'or 11. Noire 12. Montrouge 13. Le 113eme de Ligne 14. Ah les Salauds 15. Sur L'Boul'vard 16. Au Bois de Boulogne 17. Tu Me Manieras Pas Mes Te 18. Aux Bat' D'af 19. Chanson des Michetons 20. Montmerte 21. Aux Oiseaux 22. Ronde des Marmites 23. Montpernasse 24. Sur la Route de Louviers 25. Le P'T Gris 26. Bastoche 27. Les Petits Joyeux 28. Meunier Meunier Tu es Coc 29. Biribi 30. Chant D'Apaches 31. Grenelle 32. Halte La 33. Garde a Vous 34. Chanson de la France 35. Saint Lazare 36. Le Trompette 37. Saint Ouen 38. Les Grandes Manoeuvres