When it comes to writing about progressive rock music, then there are not that many still going who have been in the scene longer than me, but one notable exception is Thierry Sportouche, who has been running the French progzine Acid Dragon since the late Eighties. I first came across the magazine some time in the early 90’s and have been writing for it on and off ever since. Every so often Thierry will come across some CDs which he sends over for me to have a listen to and possibly write about. This is how I am now listening to a compilation album by Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine featuring songs from 1978 to 1983 which was released in 1988. It is the first in three compilations covering different periods of a singer who built a considerable following in France, so much so that according to Wikipedia he managed to fill a 17,000-seater in 1998 even though he was mostly ignored by the media. He has also never stopped recording either, and a visit to his website shows that he has just released a new album, even though he is now in his Seventies.

Musically, if someone had asked me when it was recorded, I am sure I would have got the era correct, as this is a collection of pub rock/punk influenced numbers with hints of classic rock. There are bits of Dire Straits, Ian Dury, Lou Reed and Bob Dylan while there is one section which had me wondering if he was Plastic Bertrand in disguise? What is interesting is the sheer diversity of material on display, and I can certainly see why he built a following, as I am sure that if I spoke French, I would be singing along to quite a few of these as they are often very catchy indeed. There is the impression that there is a depth within the lyrics, as it feels far more than just “boy meets girl”. Definitely one for Francophiles to investigate.

Rating: 7/10

Links:
https://www.thiefaine.com/
https://www.masq.fr/masq.php