It’s almost been a year since that tragic night of December 5, when France has lost its last idol. To mark this sad anniversary, Sylvie Vartan makes a musical tribute to her former husband Johnny Hallyday, in the continuation of the two concerts of occasions at the Grand Rex in the beginning of the year. A week before the release of the album of their son, David, the singer reveals her album With thee , in which she reinterprets the great success of the rocker. Intimate atmosphere, so for this album, modestly signed «Sylvie».

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from the outset, two questions are obvious. Why and for whom? Why this album today? To which Sylvie Vartan sings? In the first, she states that it was «inconceivable not to sing», defending himself to enjoy the success posthumously by her ex-husband. For herself, she answers to the second in the booklet that accompanies the album. Photo of the happy couple to the support, Vartan wrote to want to remember this «first love» and «happiness» in which they have bathed.

the name of the father, of the son…

This same happiness, Johnny was singing in When comes the night , in 1965. At this time, the two lovebirds, icons of an entire country, are separated by life. The idol of young people joined Offenburg to his military service. This event inspired him to make the serenade, an adaptation of a hit american. Shortly before the release of the song, the couple formalized their union at Loncoville, during a leave of twelve days granted to the Elvis French. To this marriage was born, a year later, their son, David. Become a singer, he cosignera the tube Blood for blood (1999), the greater success of his father – matched this year with record sales of My country, it is the love .

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today, it is his mother who sings her words. The arrangements are simple, but effective, allow you to take off the voice of Vartan in this piece on the descent. And then sing with conviction the freedom with which the dreams of the prisoners, who «walk their body» in the Mirador (1989), another composition of David Hallyday at his father.

Unfortunately, we can’t say the same of Living for the best (1999). The first wife of Johnny does not have the same vocal power that allowed him to easily reach the climax of the chorus of this hymn to life. It’s the same for most of the songs more pêchues of the rocker ( music I like , penitentiary and I love you ), where the voice of Vartan seems to be slow and poor.

the timbre of the singer adapts itself much more to the songs sweet, to the image of the ballads something Tennessee (1985) and I promise (1986). It should also be noted the beautiful production of Michael Lloyd, who gives relief to these classic, sauce Vartan. The gospel choirs of Oh! My lovely Sarah (1971), the tango guitar of Remember the night (1961), co-authored with Charles Aznavour, offer two of the finest moments of this album cathartic.

*Listen With you by Sylvie Vartan on Deezer: