LaFeteSauvageF2FrontIntroduction

"La Fête Sauvage" (in English “The Wild Nation”) is a wildlife-film by French director Frédéric Rossif, for which Vangelis composed an original score. At the time Vangelis and Rossif had already worked together on other productions, such as "Georges Mathieu Ou La Fureur d'Être" (1971), "L'Apocalypse Des Animaux" (1973), and "Georges Braque Ou Le Temps Différent" (1974).

The music for La Fête Sauvage was recorded at the end of 1975 in Vangelis’ Nemo Studios, when Dominique Caseneuve, the chief editor of the film, went to London together with Frédéric Rossif. They screened a ‘silent’ copy of the film to Vangelis, who then set to work to compose the music. The music is divided among both the film and Vangelis’ album, sharing the main theme of the film, but also having plenty of music appearing exclusively in either the film or on the album. For instance, the album includes an exclusive vocal track by Greek singer Vana Veroutis, with whom Vangelis also worked on his album “Heaven And Hell” (1975).

The album was initially released on LP in France in February 1976 (at the same time as the film) with other releases following in several other West-European countries, as well as Canada and Japan. In each country the issued soundtrack LP came with a unique sleeve variation, an interesting feature for advanced record collectors. If you are simply looking for a copy of the music on CD, be aware that the early CAM-releases are flawed and contain only half of the music from the film (due to a mix-up with the music of “Entends-Tu Les Chiens Aboyer?”, see Elsew.com). Better find a copy of the Barclay or Polydor CD of La Fête Sauvage, or the final La Fête Sauvage CD from CAM from 2002, both have the complete and correct version of the music. To promote the album a 7” single with same name was released in France.

Other wildlife documentary series and films by Frédéric Rossif that Vangelis composed a musical score for include "L'Apocalypse Des Animaux" (1973),  "L'Opéra Sauvage" (1976) and "Sauvage Et Beau" (1984).

 

LaFeteSauvageF1FrontTracklist and credits

Any album release does not really have a true tracklist, the music is simply divided in two parts to accomodate the initial vinyl album release where the music was included on the A and B side of the record. However, two track titles are printed on the 7” single release: ‘Generique’ (which is the main theme as heard at the start of the album and film), and ‘Theme d’Amour’, which corresponds with the music heard at the start of the second track (B-side) of the album, which has a vocal part by Greek singer Vana Veroutis.

Composed, arranged and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou.

Singers:

  • D.A. Adams King Potato
  • Lofty Amao
  • Idris Baba
  • Bendadoo
  • E. Lord Eric
  • Lartey Ottoo
  • Paul Jeffery
  • Vana Veroutis

Sound engineer: Keith Spencer-Allen.

 

LaFeteSauvageDFrontDiscography

LP

Compilation albums:

  • 1983 CAM LCM 233451 Italy (2LP, together with Entends-Tu Les Chiens Aboyer?)
  • 1987 LupSom 2LL2.001 Brazil (2LP, together with Entends-Tu Les Chiens Aboyer?)

LaFeteSauvageSFrontCD

  • 1985 Barclay 823 756-2 West-Germany
  • 1985 Polydor 841 198-2 West-Germany
  • 1990 Barclay 823 756-2 USA
  • 1992 CAM 74321130712 France (misprint)
  • 1992 CAM CSE 067 Italy (corrected version)
  • 1993 CAM EPC 474439 2 Spain (misprint)
  • 1993 CAM CSE 800-067 Italy (misprint)
  • 2002 CAM 493 206-2 Italy (corrected version)
  • 2012 Sugar 8024709129628 Original Soundtracks Volume 27 (warning: bad remaster!)

7” single

 

LaFeteSauvageJapanFrontRecording studio

The music of this album is recorded in Nemo Studios, London in December 1975.

 

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