Compagnons de la Chanson

Les Compagnons de la chanson were a French vocal group from Lyon, France, founded during World War II. Before 1946, they were part of a larger choir, the Compagnons de la musique. The group met Edith Piaf first in 1944, and performed in German-occupied Paris. In 1946, they recorded a French language song, "Les trois cloches" along with Edith Piaf, which was written in 1945 by Jean Villard Gilles and Marc Herrand.

English lyrics were later added by Bert Reisfeld, first recorded by the Melody Maids in 1948.

Some of Les Compagnons de la chanson's biggest hits were "Tom Dooley", "Kalinka", "The Windmill Song" and the aforementioned and re-titled "The Three Bells". The latter track peaked at No. 21 in the UK Singles Chart in October 1959. It suffered from competition by the bigger selling rival version of the time, recorded by the American family trio of The Browns. Their version sold over one million copies in the US alone, and reached No. 6 in the UK chart.

Les Compagnons de la chanson made over 350 records and undertook around 300 concerts per year. Their final concert was in 1985.

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1946 - 1952

Roles Represented in DAHR: Vocal group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia (U.K.) CA21418 10-in. approximately 1950 That lucky old sun (just rolls around heaven all day) Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CA21423 10-in. approximately 1950 The three bells Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CLX2454 12-in. 6/25/1946 Perrine tait servante Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal group Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CLX2465 12-in. 6/25/1946 Les trois cloches Compagnons de la Chanson ; Edith Piaf Female vocal solo and vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CLX2532 12-in. 10/7/1947 C'est pour ça Robert Chauvigny ; Compagnons de la Chanson ; Edith Piaf Female vocal solo, with vocal group Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CLX2601 12-in. 4/30/1948 Les yeux de ma mère Compagnons de la Chanson Female vocal solo, with orchestra and vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8187 10-in. 6/25/1946 Dans les prisons de Nantes Compagnons de la Chanson ; Edith Piaf Female vocal solo, with vocal chorus Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8188 10-in. 6/25/1946 Céline Compagnons de la Chanson ; Edith Piaf Female vocal solo, with vocal chorus Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8211 10-in. 4/23/1946 Margoton va t'a l'iau Compagnons de la Chanson Female vocal solo, with orchestra Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8216 10-in. 7/10/1946 Le roi a fait battre tambour Compagnons de la Chanson ; Edith Piaf Female vocal solo and vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8372 10-in. 3/27/1947 Les marins de notre ville Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8373 10-in. 3/27/1947 L'enfant au coeur d'or Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8374 10-in. 3/27/1947 Ukraine Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8453 10-in. 10/6/1947 Douce nuit Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8569 10-in. 9/1/1948 Catherine Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8570 10-in. 9/1/1948 Le prisonnier de la tour Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8571 10-in. 9/1/1948 Cinq filles a marier Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8649 10-in. 2/25/1949 Mes jeunes années Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8650 10-in. 2/25/1949 Mon bateau Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8651 10-in. 3/28/1949 Maitre Pierre Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL8652 10-in. 3/28/1949 Berceuse pour un enfant triste Compagnons de la Chanson Vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL9252 10-in. 9/21/1952 Mes jeunes annés Compagnons de la Chanson ; Fernand Marie Maillet ; Petits chanteurs à la Croix de Bois Vocal chorus Vocal group  
Columbia (U.K.) CL9253 10-in. 9/21/1952 Ne pleure pas Jeannette Compagnons de la Chanson ; Fernand Marie Maillet ; Petits chanteurs à la Croix de Bois Vocal chorus Vocal group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Compagnons de la Chanson," accessed June 9, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/356736.

Compagnons de la Chanson. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/356736.

"Compagnons de la Chanson." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 9 June 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/356736

External Sources

Wikipedia: Les Compagnons de la chanson

Discogs: Compagnons de la Chanson

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Compagnons de la chanson - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n91102977

Wikidata: Les Compagnons de la chanson - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q942173

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/131478963

MusicBrainz: Les Compagnons de la Chanson - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/90e0ff46-74aa-48c2-b8de-919f2e6202e6

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