Michel Magne - Un Singe En Hiver

Cat. no: PCR051
Format: LP
Barcode: 7640186552417
Release Date: 03 Sep 2021
Genre: Soundtrack

Un Singe En Hiver (“A Monkey in Winter”) starred the greatest name of the time in French Cinema, Jean Gabin and a “rising newcomer”, Jean-Paul Belmondo.

This is popular early 60s mainstream French cinema, with a certain ‘quality’ that would not be to the taste of the nouvelle vague aficionados. In fact this film is nothing less than the reflection of a certain Gaullist spirit of rebellion, fiercely individualistic and disabused of all ideologies. 

The music of Michel Magne outlines the nostalgic wanders of Albert Quentin (Jean Gabin) who after an adventurous youth on the Yang-Tse-Kiang now lives a quiet life with Suzanne (Suzanne Flon) whom he met at the Bourboule and manages the Stella hotel at Tigreville (actually Villerville in the Normand Calvados) and takes care of Gabriel Fouquet (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a young adman whose heart was broken in Madrid.

The genius of Magne is found in his evocations of Spain and China not as they were at the time but as the two main characters picture them with the help of not just a few drinks. Here is a jolly good record you will want to go back to every time the right-minded ones try to mess with your basic rights.

Tracks: Un singe en hiver / Yang-Tse-Kiang / Corrida Ethylique / China Jazz Hot / Pekin - Buenos Aires / L’amitie / Sol de Espana / L’adieu (Final)

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