Introduction
“Melody” was a French television series, presented by Arnaud Leys in 1974. It consists of 4 episodes, broadcast from the 5th of March to the 20th of June, with every episode focussing on a specific music artist. The episode aired on the 11th of April 1974 featured Vangelis, performing in the television studio together with Robert Fitoussi, a selection of African drummers and a chorus of some 30 female singers, playing percussion instruments as well.
The 25-minute episode opens with a live performance of Vangelis’ music piece known today as 'The Dragon'. The track was originally recorded in London in 1971, as part of sessions organised by Giorgio Gomelsky and BYG Records in the Marquee studios. These recordings would years later be unoffficially released as “Hypothesis” and “The Dragon”. The episode continues with 'Let It Happen'', and 'My Face In The Rain', two songs from Vangelis’ album “Earth” (1973), sung by Robert Fitoussi, followed by an unnamed improvisational track with Vangelis on keyboards and (unknown) musician playing all kinds of different percussion instruments. The episode finishes with 'A Song', another song from the “Earth” album sung by Robert Fitoussi.
Considering the combination of instruments, artists and songs heard in “Melody”, the presentation must be very similar to the performance that Vangelis gave at the “L’Olympia” concert in Paris on the 25th of February that same year to promote the “Earth” album. And looking closely, isn't that Helen Banks singing and playing percussion in the middle of that female choir?
Media
Unfortunately the episode of Melody with Vangelis was never officially released after its original broadcast on television.
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