Initially, Pourcel studied classical violin at the Paris Conservatoire, but he found the allure of jazz irresistible. In particular, he was an idol of Stephane Grappelli. Following his studies, he joined a number of jazz combos, which led him to his role as the leader of the French Fiddlers, who he joined in the late '40s. The French Fiddlers were a group of violinists that performed jazzy versions of classical numbers or classical arrangements of pop and jazz tunes. They signed to Pathe-Marconi and continued to refine their sound so they could reach a broader audience. The group earned their first hit in 1952 with a version of "Blue Tango."
In 1959, the French Fiddlers had a hit with an easy listening version of the Platters' "Only You" that featured a prominent beat; appropriately, it was credited to Franck Pourcel and His Rockin' Strings. It was a sound that became quite popular during the '60s, though frequently other musicians were more successful with it than Pourcel. Indeed, "Only You" was his only U.S. Top Ten hit. Nevertheless, he and the Fiddlers — who recorded under a variety of names — sold over 15 million records internationally by the early '70s. Pourcel continued to record easy listening albums and compose film scores throughout the '70s and into the '80s.
In 1958, he recorded an LP with the Viennese’s Waltzes, and then decided to lead his « Variety » public to the discovery and appreciation of popular classical pieces.
With his « Pages Celebres » he leds the sale of EMI Classics, but he felt no special vanity from this, for he considered himself in the service of music. He will record 17 LPs with the most famous classical orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra, The London Philharmonic, The Lamoureux Orchestra, The BBC Orchestra…..
In 1979, following the evolution of the recording techniques, the series came to be called Classics in Digital.
« Adapting pop songs or classical pieces is a very delicate work because you have to dose the effects. I studied classics, and I am persuaded that if Mozart or Beethoven were here today they would wrote their music in a different arrangement. For them or the Variety, I write a kind of translation, according to my style, I think I am not betraying them. I often compare music with cooking. For the same recipe a chef can do something personal, the name of the dish remains the same, but the taste is different. Same thing with a score…. I was lucky in my life to be able to succeed in interpreting, my way, some music composed by others. I arrange it (or disarrange), and the original composers are happy ».
« Franck has the talent to ennoble the most simple melodies…..entering his music was and still is like entering the Pantheon » said Salvatore Adamo
A few of his musicians started a career on their own: » Michel Legrand was playing piano, when he was young. In my orchestra I had Raymond Lefevre, Paul Mauriat and Jean-Claude Casadessus, at that time playing percussions in my classical recordings ».
Between 1956 and 1972 he was the regular conductor for France at the Eurovision song contest, and he toured a lot in Japan, USA, South America, and appears on TV -show specials, all around the world.
A very discreet man, he never played up his personal or professional life. His record company has always had difficulty to write a biography mentioning how many records he sold (the sales if they were to be piled, one on top of the other, would represent 20 times the high of the Eiffel Tower), or how many gold records he got throughout the 58 countries where his albums were released. He was proud of his trophies, but didn’t talk about them. He smashed all sales records for the Europeans orchestras without fanfare or boosting.
He rather preferred to show his back directing the orchestra than his face to a camera. He rarely put his picture on the front of a cover « to recognize someone you have to appear on TV or movies. The public knows my name, I was the first one to do this kind of music in Europe ».
Nevertheless I watched him in 1984, during the pageant of Miss Mexico. He was President of the jury, and all the beautiful girls wanted to sit on his laps. He did not look unhappy!!!
His records have been exported to 58 countries; »I am going to surprise some people, but I have been the number 1 in the exportation of French records for 20 years (in 1982). Music is easier to export than songs with lyrics. When a record is produced in France it can be released the morning after in Yokohama or Los Angeles: there is no local version «
I remember that in 1975 Franck was asked by Air France to compose the Anthem for the new supersonic Concorde, because he was considered one of the 3 most exported French product with Brigitte Bardot and Air France.
He has composed some songs that he recorded, but rarely, because he did not liked his own compositions.
The most famous, « Chariot », started like a joke. It was composed with his friends Paul Mauriat and Raymond Lefevre , with lyrics by Jacques Plante. At that time, in 1962, everything coming from the US was striking gold, so they invented a story that the song was the soundtrack of a new western movie produced by the 20th century Fox »You’ll never See It ». Petula Clark sung the song and had a hit. In the USA the song was recorded as « I will Follow Him » by Little Peggy March., a fifteen years old singer, became number 1 in the Billboard charts all categories for 3 weeks, and in 1992 the song became the main theme for « Sister Act » 1 and 2, with Whoopie Goldberg. More recently, Eminem included some bars in his song « Guilty Conscience ».
From 1968, Franck worked with Claude-Michel Schonberg then artistic director at Pathe-marconi EMI records. A personal and professional relationship started and Franck produced Claude-Michel’s big hit « le Premier Pas’ and the following albums.
A show-biz star, against all odds, concerts all over the world, around 200 LPs recorded, more than 3000 titles in his repertoire, this was Franck Pourcel, my father. Five years after his death, thousands of faithful fans around the world send me messages, and these 4 Cds with some 100 titles from his catalogue, are dedicated to them.
« Hearing this heavenly fiddler, I now understand why instrument makers call the body of a violin its soul »
These words are from the French poet Jean Cocteau : the fiddler was Franck Pourcel.
Franck Pourcel
Franck Pourcel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C'est Noël et là haut dans le ciel, une étoile d'un
éclat irréel
Brille au loin sur le monde, comme un beau rêve infini
Il est né à minuit dans l'étable
cu milieu des bergers et depuis l'univers a chanté
C'est Noël, c'est Noël, que la paix soit éternelle.
These lyrics are from the song "Franck Pourcel" by Franck Pourcel. The song portrays the serene and peaceful atmosphere of Christmas night. The first line, "Douce nuit, sainte nuit, tout est calme plus de bruit" translates to "Silent night, holy night, everything is calm, there is no more noise." This sets the scene for a tranquil night, where the world is at peace and no disturbances can be heard.
The following line, "C'est Noël et là-haut dans le ciel, une étoile d'un éclat irréel" translates to "It's Christmas and up in the sky, a star with an unreal brightness shines from afar." This verse refers to the Christmas star, which symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ and guides the way to the stable where he was born.
The song continues to describe the birth of Jesus, stating, "Il est né à minuit dans l'étable au milieu des bergers et depuis l'univers a chanté" meaning "He was born at midnight in the stable, surrounded by shepherds, and since then the universe has sung." This verse emphasizes the significance of Jesus' birth, with the whole universe celebrating and rejoicing.
The chorus concludes with the repeated phrase, "C'est Noël, c'est Noël, que la paix soit éternelle," which translates to "It's Christmas, it's Christmas, may peace be eternal." This line expresses the hope for everlasting peace during the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
Douce nuit, sainte nuit, tout est calme plus de bruit
The night is gentle, holy, and free of noise. Everything is calm and tranquil.
C'est Noël et là haut dans le ciel, une étoile d'un éclat irréel
It is Christmas, and high in the sky, a star of unreal radiance shines.
Brille au loin sur le monde, comme un beau rêve infini
It shines far away over the world, like a beautiful infinite dream.
Il est né à minuit dans l'étable
He was born at midnight in a stable.
Au milieu des bergers et depuis l'univers a chanté
Amongst the shepherds, and since then, the universe has sung.
C'est Noël, c'est Noël, que la paix soit éternelle
It is Christmas, it is Christmas, may peace be eternal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martin Angel
Quien te dijo que estas melodias son hermosas?
Son lo mas exelente que puede existir
Te hacen sonar despierto
Te hacen viajar sin comprar un bolero
Ya sea de camion , tren o avion
Te hacen volver Al pasado sin usar una
Maquina del tiempo
Te enamoras de la vida y te da mas entusiasmo por vivir
Yo conoci la musica de Frank pourcel
Alla por Los principioos de Los 70s y desde ese tiempo estoy enamorado de la vida
Fernando Diaz
Solamente un oído educado y respetuoso de la música logra apreciar la excelsa belleza de estas piezas, obras de arte. Desde joven me he familiarizado con sus melodías bellamente compuestas. Arte.
ALBERTO GALINDO
Hermosas palabras.
Gabriela Hernández
👏👏👏Solo para conocedores
Licenia Libreros pino
Como siempre digo esta musica es maravillosa es desde tiempo atrás que la escucho todavía conservo mis acetatatos
Psicólogo Hugo Pérez
Coincido. Gracias a mi padre descubrí a Frank
Reynaldo Medina
Bien dicho compa ni más ni menos
Luz Margarita De Koster Barraza
Jamás volveremos a tener música tan llena de paz y alegría. La viví y disfrute de una manera muy diferente en mi juventud. Gracias hasta el cielo FRANK POURCEL. .
Pili
Me hace tan feliz, me llena de bellos recuerdos ❤
Maria Teresa Garcia Cruz
Esta música se disfruta no sólo con los oídos sino con el alma y el corazón. Tiene la magia de llevarnos a otros tiempos y situaciones sólo cerrando los ojos y escuchandola
José Jesús Lima Argañaraz
Gran verdad