Moderators: lazyben, static14, texasvinyl

By ghostfires
#43496
I am following in Mr. Bansel's footsteps in that I am having to post a few days early. Next week is a truly crazy week for me, and this weekend will be all preparation for the upcoming week, so this is just about the only chance I'll have to give real attention to my Deep Cut post. I hope you guys don't mind, and that you enjoy the record!

DEEP CUT 6: Pierre Bachelet - Histoire d'O Original Soundtrack



Originally released in 1975 on the French label Barclay. It shouldn't be too incredibly hard to track down, as there have been 12-13 pressings. From all accounts I've read, the film was disappointing, and was actually banned in a few countries until the 2000's. I can't speak to the quality of the film, as I've never seen it.

Pierre Bachelet was a successful French pop singer, as well as a film score composer. His first film score, Emmanuelle, is well known and popular. The score for Histoire d'O was released one year after Emmanuelle.

Why am I selecting this as my Deep Cut? I picked this album up on a whim, really because it was slightly compared to Jean-Marc Cerrone, and I had really enjoyed his soundtrack for Brigade Mondaineon vinyl. I'm also a big fan of instrumental French pop/synth music from the '70s, so I wasn't afraid to grab this one without listening first. Turns out it was one of the most exciting "blind" purchases for me in a while. I also selected this album because of my deep love for the newly composed & released rescore for Fantomas by James Blackshaw. I don't have a clue if Blackshaw was inspired by this album, but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he ever cited it as a direct influence.

The opening track, Histoire d'O, has a slight Giallo feel, that broadens quickly into a very upbeat and sensual theme. This opening theme grabbed me immediately...it wasn't what I expected, and I was extremely pleased to hear it unfold. I listened to it twice before even allowing the needle to go any further. It had sadness, deep passion, and was all wrapped within a dark, French style that I had come to love with Cerrone's music. I could almost hear bits of Jean-Michel Jarre's style too.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGTVOrG3p04[/video]

Song #2, O' Et La Rencontre, is just beautiful. Acoustic guitar, piano and synth...yes, please! This track has a lighter, more sentimental feel to it - playful, but cautious. The melody is simple, and rich. Beautiful music, plain and simple.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGP8nVHgXno[/video]


Track #3, O' Et Le Chateau De Roissy, is probably my favorite. It is romantic, sensual, deep, rich with sonic textures, and whimsical throughout it's near 4 and a half minute length. It ties together the themes in both previous tracks, but has a very strong character all it's own. It could have fit in a romantic montage of any 1980's film. I immediately picture scenes from The Princess Bride when listening to this track. The strings are terribly moving around the 2:30 mark...just incredible. The sounds in this track only improve and become more powerful yet delicate as the song progresses.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5snBb7LFg[/video]


Track #4, O' Et L'Amour A Trois, is all giallo as far as I'm concerned. If you don't feel nervous and unsettled as soon as the track begins, something must be wrong with you. An eerie, haunting melody encapsulates you as the strings build. The disturbingly distorted synth hides just beneath the false comfort you find yourself lying in as the strings surround you. And just as you begin to fall to the seduction of the devil, the track is over.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r7RlyxaaU4[/video]

Track #5, O' Apres, is absolutely beautiful. I am sad that I could not find a youtube video for this track, but it is only 50 seconds long. It's a sweet, calm rendition of the main musical theme...soft, almost dream-like.

Track #6, O' She's A Lady, is the most controversial track on the album. I can understand how people might dislike it, and feel like it doesn't fit. I think it fits great, I love it, I wouldn't change a thing about it. It sounds as if Goblin was the backing band to Pierre Bachelet if he had been asked to write an Italian/French version of early 1970's American pop rock. Maybe that was the original intent!? Who knows. It's a strange disco rock song, but it is damn good on vinyl. Cheesy, weird, and out of place. Exactly what you'd want in a closer to side A of a 1970's film about sex!

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og4m8dIEyl4[/video]

Side B track 1, Tout Cela Est Pour Toi, is a straight-up giallo Italian thriller masterpiece of a song! Just a reminder, yes...I do know this isn't a giallo soundtrack at all...but I can't help but hold the comparison! This is a great track to build on the suspsene and tension of side B...and how the musical theme just takes total charge of all your senses around the 2:30 mark of the song is breathtaking. THIS is what perfect film score's are made of!

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqn0oI4KSE0[/video]

Side B track 2, O' Avec Pierre, is a classical piano piece. Somewhat filler, but still a pleasant listen to say the least.

Side B track 3, O' Et Sir Stephen, is possibly my least favorite on the album. I don't care for the scat vocals...they truly detract from what would have been a good song. I'm sure this was an attempt at being hip, perhaps it was something French producers were doing back then? Hell, I don't know...but it doesn't sound good to my ears at all. The backing music is basic, but pleasant. I just can't get passed those vocals. You can be the judge by listening below...

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sxers9Mb2Q[/video]

Side B track 4, O' Et La Photo De Jacqueline, borders on acid folk. It isn't bad at all, just doesn't have anything to keep me interested. The airy vocals are too high in the mix for me to really enjoy, and luckily the song is short.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ4-7qxayzk[/video]

Side B track 5, O' Comme Alice, is a striking, sweet, and calming Spanish guitar-style rework of the original theme. Gorgeous guitar work here, I can't praise this track enough. Again, I envision images of The Princess Bride as this track plays. I'm almost positive there is at least one song on the Princess Bride soundtrack that sounds a lot like this song.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqf7eLc8PGA[/video]

Side B track 6, O' Et La Valse Du Gramophone, is beautiful French music - powerful, bold, timeless, romantic and exciting! It doesn't quite sound like the rest of the score - but who cares, this piece is a wonderful listen.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JXnz-hVDR4[/video]

Side B track 7, O' Et L'Amour D'Yvan, shows the soundtrack nearly falling apart into sadness, and confusion. In a good way. The strings create tension and fear, and as the frantic drums clutter your ears causing your heart to race...the psych rock guitar keeps your grounded just enough to sense things might be okay. While this track might be a bit off-putting for some soundtrack listeners, I truly wish this song was 3 or 4 minutes longer. It has a great build, addicting tones & textures...it could have erupted into an all out psych rock masterpiece, had Bachelet so chosen.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXIzpApAzZc[/video]

Side B track 8, O' Comme Histoire D'O, is the closing track. Tying together a lot of what we've heard over the past half hour of music...giving you just enough of each mood, emotion, and theme to reach closure right before your needle runs off into the blackest hole. If you enjoyed the music in this score, you'll really enjoy this closing track.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEhUEzPz7ak[/video]


Sooooooo now you guys are familiar with Histoire d'O, and I really hope you guys enjoy this record as much as I do. It's such an engrossing listen, and I was in love with the score before I was ever finished with Side A. I listen to it often, and will never get rid of it.

With all that said, I nominate @discosucks... to continue on the Deep Cuts tradition! I know he'll have something damn good in store for us.
User avatar
By phantomnoir
#43504
That's a very comprehensive post! I'll listen to the tracks when I have time later today. Out of curiosity, are you French too?
By Lino Banfi
#43507
Good stuff ghostfires. I'm always partial to a bit of Pierre Bachelet, and Histoire d'O is a good one.

I'm not sure if you are aware, but the films star Corinne Cléry('O' herself) released a vocal version of the main theme under the title of 'Je Ne Suis Que De L'Amour' This version was arranged by the excellent Italian composer Daniele Patucchi.

The B-side contains a Corinne Cléry vocal version of the theme from the 1976 exploitation/Giallo film 'E tanta paura' (aka 'Bloody Peanuts)another film staring the delectable Corinne Cléry. Music this time is written and arranged by Daniele Patucchi from his own score.

I suspect this was done to cash-in on the success of Histoire d'O to promote 'E tanta paura'








[video]http://youtu.be/N3Dk-WmuAi8[/video]

[video]http://youtu.be/iuj7RGEkyU0[/video]
User avatar
By soundtracks of fear
#43511
Beautiful stuff @ ghostfires the opening track wouldn't be out of place on Morricone's Lizard... or Bird with...
I've listened to it all on youtube today and need to snag myself a copy, it has always been on my radar - a cover like that is always intriguing.
Thanks for the nice thorough review, it seems like an all round consistent album,
soft and dreamy with a sinister giallo vibe.
Seems there's a part 2 soundtrack as well with Stanley Myers and Hans Zimmer.
This is pure class! even the wacky 'she's a lady' reminded me of something!? Crazy Horses meets Ballroom Blitz! ;)
@lino top info too.
By ghostfires
#43524
@phantomnoir - Hopefully it wasn't too comprehensive that it is off-putting! And no, not French at all - I'm actually Scotch Irish. I just grew up loving a lot of French music, because some of my very first records were from French space disco bands, Space and another called Space Art. I picked those albums up when I was 15 based on the cover art, and the fact that I had heard Michael Cretu of Enigma fame covering Magic Fly under his project named Trance Atlantic Air Waves.

@linobanfi - Great call on the 7" single with the vocals! I had nearly forgotten about that release. I don't own it, as I've never found one for sale here in the U.S. - but the French vocals on it are awesome.

@dagar - Yes, definitely grab a copy! Obviously it'll sound much better on vinyl than through Youtube, but it seriously sounds beautiful on vinyl. I've never listened to the second film's soundtrack, but I've read it is absolutely dreadful, and sounds nothing like the original.
User avatar
By freshoj
#43602
thanks Ghosty - excellent selection! I am looking forward to spending more time with the clips, but based solely on track 1, I think it is right in my wheelhouse.
By DISCOSUCKS...
#43611
Very nice choice @ghost....listening now. One of those LPs that I've seen kicking about loads but for whatever reason didn't take a punt on it.
The arrangements of this score are flipping fantastic! Very subtle, memorable and at times moving...there's a touch of De Roubaix, Vannier, and Goraguer (high praise!) and I even get a smidge of Geoff Lynne in the closing track! I'll be listening to this a fair bit I reckon - happily I just scored a cheap UK press (with nice stark artwork, though more SFW and tasteful) from Discogs.

Thanks Ryan for the great new sounds...and also for the vote of confidence! I'm working on an idea.... (Though it's a fucker, this one-record-recommendation thing huh? So tricky.....kinda reminds me of the feeling I had at school playing softball - waiting in line for my turn to bat, but then the pressure of not blowing it yet still being compelled to swing for the fences!!)
User avatar
By freshoj
#43635
>t’s a fucker, this one-record-recommendation thing huh?

for sure! I'm glad I didn't know that my first deep cut would be my last for many months. I would have sweated over it for days and the second guessed myself forever.
By ghostfires
#43641
I'm very happ to see you guys enjoying the record.

I actually didn't sweat over this one at all. I had noticed already that this album was never discussed on Blackest Circles, so when the Deep Cut discussions arose...I thought immediately this would be a great one to bring to the table. It had probably been heard of, maybe even slightly explored by a lot of you in the past, but I didn't feel like anyone had really taken time to dive deep into it before, so I was excited to have the opportunity to do so and share my deep cut dive.

I've already got two more lined up in case I ever get another nomination! I love sharing my love for music, and especially for music I feel is overlooked.
User avatar
By Dollarhyde
#43874
Great recommendation and review. I think the more clips the better.
As everyone else has mentioned always seen this lp in the periferies on ebay and discogs. Will hopefully snag a copy in the new year.

Im still juggling with my choice, got a few to choose from so far, will it be italian, american or british?

Oh yeah, and BLOODY PEANUTS! made me lol , a new entry in my favourite odd song titles list. what does it mean?
By thewaystation
#70204
I've finally picked up a copy of this album and hasten to join all the praise in this thread. @ghostfire's deep cut is also exemplary, not only for creating interest but also as a compelling read while listening. Calling b2 'filler' is a bit harsh though, I think. Would be cool to get those other cuts he mentions in his text (but @ghostfires has been very quiet lately if I'm not mistaken). Deep Cuts really is such a great part of the forum, hopefully tbc real soon!

By the way, that short, gorgeous track a5, "O apres", has been uploaded recently, so here goes:
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IOTwGzVn6I[/video]