Our French music guru and London based French radio impresario Oliver Jauffrit of radio Paris Chanson continues his French Music Lessons with a look at Patrice and Mario…
When Olivier Jauffrit suggested that we feature Patrice and Mario in our French music series I must confess to thinking “who?”
I’d never heard of them before but then I find that this often happens when I talk to Olivier who seems to know just about everything and anything to do with French music. His radio station is based in London and plays only the best of French music – what you’d call the classics. Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Charles Trenet and Serge Gainsbourg – he plays them all, the songs and the tunes that many of us know well and love much. He also plays gems that are little known outside of France and Patrice and Mario fall into this category.
The pair were stars of the 1940s and 1950s, they met each other in 1938 at an amateur singing contest and forged a successful singing career in France although they came from Italy. Born Patrizzio Paganessi (1915- 1992) and Mario Moro (1918-2002), their music reflected a trend for Mediterranean style sounds at the time that made them hugely popular in France. These days they represent a nostalgic echo of the past and continue to sell albums in France.
Olivier has chosen this video of the song “Montagnes d’Italie” which he feels best gives a flavour of their soft, soulful and harmonious sound…
Read more about Olivier Jauffrit of radio Paris Chanson
