Part Quatre is upon us..... Is a twist incoming??
Guess what - a woman goes this time!!
#51
La Compagnie Créole - Le Bal Masqué
Picked By: Berserkboi
Credentials: #6 France (31 weeks on the chart), 400000 copies sold, Certified GOLD by InfoDisc
Average Score: 6.697
Highest Score: 8.6
@Untouchable Ace
Lowest Score: 3
@Filippa @DominoDancing
So it looks like #TeamGermany could not wait to kick this little song out! I think this is the only time in the rate Filippa and DominoDancing are due to tie as Lowest Scorers for a song. As you can see from the achievements alone, Le Bal Masqué was a heart pick by one of your hosts, rather than a head pick - compare this to Belle and it achieved peanuts by comparison.
I wanted some representation from a Creole act somewhere due to my cultural background and icons La Compagnie Créole was always gonna have something included. My main trouble with them was all the conflicting information about which of their hits was actually the biggest - since some looked to have been certified for Sales that did not seem possible since they did not crack the Top 10 in France at the time, nor did they have the longevity on the chart I’d have expected for them. Le Bal Masqué, with its 31 weeks on the chart and a #6 peak seemed most plausible in achieving what was needed to qualify for the rate and thus got included!
Unfortunately as per my original commentary: “@berserkboi - 8.1 - Similar to Dorothee, represented by one of their weakest singles - let’s collectively bring their best to PJ Retro soon, hey? They’d qualify!” I do find this to be their weakest effort so I could not support them with a very high score here. I will post other recommendations below, which are pretty much instant 12 s from me (and potentially
@iheartpoptarts) if you ever submit them as the music of La Compagnie Créole is literal joy to my ears, which is a good counterpart to most of my depressing balladry picks ddd.
La Compagnie Créole is/was made up of members Clémence Bringtown, José Sébéloué, Julien Tarquin, Guy Bevert, and ex-member Arthur Apatout who originated from French Guiana and the French West Indies. They formed in 1975, with their first album released in 1976 (anything from this album may qualify for Retro’s current round *hint hint*) in Creole, but they hit it big when they switched to French with a string of hits in the early-mid 80s.
Though their commercial peak was definitely in the 80s, their music certainly still resonates with a French public to this day. Le Bal Masqué (best translated as The Masquerade Ball) is a track you’d most likely hear at any Francophone party event - cementing that despite not breaking records the way many other picks here have, La Compagnie Créole belongs in 80s French Music DNA.
What did PopJustice think of these Party People?
@daninternational (6) loses his highest score in this string of Filippa’s Revenge - Hits straight from the start. I thought it was going to go into D.I.S.C.O for a minute. It definitely has that novelty feel, and they throw a bit too many things at it.
@Ezz [Hello icon @eric with a recent name change!!] (8) is all for hearing this one at a Francophone party! - I'd definitely dance to this after some wine.
@Maki (6,75) was kind enough to prepare some commentary for this one, and will be happy this was the first exotic song to fall by the sounds of it! ~ This pales a bit compared to the other uplifting exotic songs. Still likeable, though.
@DominoDancing (3) clearly does not see the absolute joy of listing potential costume ideas including Becassine, Superman and Speederman - WTF?
@Epic Chocolat (7,5) takes this to another event, and I can definitely see this one blowing up there too! - I wish Mardi-Gras was more popular in Metropolitan France.
@WowWowWowWow (8) must have had Scott Speederman on the brain when writing this one and we will say Creole Kings & Queens for the subliminal imagery! - I don't know what is happening but I do not hate it!
@Filippa (3) did a cringe! - Ok not so much for me.
@MilesAngel (7.5) potentially hits it on the head with the French Boney M comparison! - This is like a cross between Boney M and Ottawan, but not quite as good. However it is enjoyable to listen to.
@jtm (3.4) is not taking any prisoners again this time, and when will his zero fall exactly? - This is complete trash. I don‘t understand the lyrics completely but I think they support my score as well.
In COVID-19 Pandemic when many of our "icons" have been showing their ass, it is really nice to see our Creole Kings & Queens here are promoting wearing masks while out!
This release is their biggest hit from the 70s for easy Berserky points *hint hint*
My absolute favourite by them, reminds me of my trip to Reunion Island when I was a child and sang it with our host family all the time! PopTarts - this is the one!!
Here is their supposed Million Seller, not that I could find the Chart Facts to support it:
