Les Variations - Moroccan Roll (1974) / Café de Paris (1975) [Remastered 2002] Re-up

Les Variations was a French rock band from the 1960s and 1970s that sang in English and was known for its rock guitar based music. Often, their songs and compositions contained hints of North African and Jewish Sephardic melodies as well as the Hebrew songs of the band members youth.

In 1974, Les Variations signed with the American label, Buddah Records and created a more exotic style. Their pioneering introduction of sounds and styles taken from their Moroccan heritages, was exemplified in the albums Moroccan Roll, and Cafe de Paris, and would influence rock bands for the next several generations. During the recording and subsequent touring of these Buddah albums, the band added the American keyboard player/singer Jim Morris; and for the next album (Cafe de Paris) and its tours, they added the French/Tunisian/singer/guitarist/composer Robert Fitoussi and the ledendary French/Tunisian violinist of Arabic music, Maurice Meimoun. This 1975 album reached the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts in America, while their single "Superman, Superman," reached No. 36 in the U.S. Pop Charts. Unfortunately, as they finally were able to gain measurable success in America, Les Variations, who been based in Paris and Cincinnati since 1972, disbanded on December 21, 1975.







Moroccan Roll

01. Moroccan Roll (3:13)
02. I Don't Know Why (3:19)
03. Did It (3:30)
04. Kasbah-Tadla (5:19)
05. Growing Stronger (4:28)
06. Lord (Give Me Money) (5:01)
07. Leslie Lust (4:24)
08. Sanglots (Tears) (2:43)
09. All I Want To Know (3:33)

Produced by Ralph Moss

Buddah Records 1974

The Band

• Joe Leb: Lead Vocals
• Jacques Grande: Bass
• Jacky Bitton: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
• Marc Tobaly: Lead Guitar, Vocals

*****
• Freddy Meyer, Lori Weiner, Steve Smith, Reni Crook, Lynda Lawley, Beverly Hanshaw: Backing Vocals
• Larry Raspberry: Piano
• Ken Woodley: Organ, Backing Vocals
• Alain Wiesniak: Piano, Organ
• Ruimy, Kamel Kouki, Berrbei Youssef, Jim Morris: Keyboards
• Maurice Meimon: Violin



Café de Paris

01. I Don't Know Where She'll Go (4:30)
02. Sit Back Home Again (3:38)
03. Superman Superman (3:40)
04. Maybe Forever (3:51)
05. Come Now (3:12)
06. Berberian Wood (4:30)
07. It's All-Right (3:14)
08. Everybody Got The Blues (Song For A Groupie) (4:03)
09. Shemoot (The Prayer) (2:53)

Produced by Lewis Merenstein & Michael Wendroff

Buddah Records 1975

The Band

• Robert Fitoussi (F.R. David): Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
• Jaques "Petit Pois"Grande: Bass
• Jacky Bitton: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
• Marc Tobaly: Lead Guitar, Vocals

*****
• Maurice Meimon: Violin
• Jim Morris: Keyboards, Vocals
• Michael Wendroff: Backing Vocals

Notes

Produced by Charles M. Benanty
24-bit Digitally Remastered






Many thanks to the original uploader: Doggman Pigg

SEE also:
Les Variations 1970 Nador [Remastered 1996]
Les Variations 1973 Take It Or Leave It [Remastered 1996]