France is a land of blues where even American artists are often more successful than in the United States. And French musicians largely honor this music, the mother of almost all current styles. Fred Chapellier has been one of them for more than a quarter of a century. Alongside his role as Jacques Dutronc’s regular guitarist, he has led a rich and inspired solo career.
On the occasion of the release of his new opus, straight to the point, on February 25 at Dixie Frog, he gives us his feelings about this album of which he says he is the most proud in his discography.
“Droit au but” is the spirit of the album summarized through its title, Straight to the Point. An approach that the musician has applied at all levels for this disc: “For the writing of the songs, I did not procrastinate for weeks, I wanted to write them quickly”.
If I had to put them end to end, all the songs on the album were written and composed in an hour
Fred Chapellierabout his album “Straight to the point”
Same intention for the recording which took place live. Apart from the brass and a few keyboards, the musicians played together, one or two takes maximum per piece. “It’s always on the first two or three takes that there’s the big energy and that something really happens, specifies Fred Chapellier. Afterwards, we start to think too much and we, the bluesmen, we must not think too much! (laughs)
The opening title Blues on my radio recounts the great names of the blues who influenced Fred Chapellier. Mentioned among others are Robert Johnson, Jimmy Reed, Memphis Slim, Buddy Guy… musicians, many of whom are dead or otherwise very old. But the singer-guitarist assumes his loyalty to this music that some might consider outdated. “I don’t care if it’s old or if it’s new” he sings in the first verse. And he adds in the last: “I don’t care if it’s hype or if it’s cool”.
The blues and all the great artists of the 70s, from Hendrix to Led Zep, passing by Roy Buchanan and Peter Green, it is the music that remains engraved in me
Fred Chapellier
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A dominant blues of course, as can be heard on the moist and throbbing Tend to it, but also soul atmospheres, especially with a cover of Gladys Knight, sometimes even a little lounge on the last track. Colors that also lean towards funky jazz-rock, for example with way past midnight or the swift instrumental Racing with cops which starts on the hats of wheels in a whirring engine noise. “For the title of this piece, I had the vision of car chases à la Starsky & Hutch !” (laughs)
Despite these influences, most of which date back a good half-century, Fred Chapellier’s blues-rock is resolutely contemporary. Evidenced by the first single mother earth whose lyrics, co-written with his friend Neal Black, remind us of the importance and urgency of the climate situation.
It’s still a shame to continue to destroy this planet when it is fabulous
Fred Chapellierabout the track “Mother Earth”
And to show that the blues can perfectly stay in tune with the latest developments, Fred Chapellier and Dixie Frog have chosen to offer a bonus track in NFT version (the NFT is a non-fungible token, representing a digital asset, editor’s note). Composed by Fred Chapellier and Billy Price at the end of the recording sessions, Don’t Take Me For A Loser appears only on the vinyl format of the album which will be released later. The digital version of this song is available exclusively on Pianity in 100 single copies in the form of NFT.
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This is the first NFT from Dixie Frog Records. The French label, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last year, innovates by offering its artists and their fans the opportunity to sell and collect limited edition tracks. This is the first of a series of upcoming releases. Dixie Frog and Pianity are joining forces to democratize NFTs to the general public.
I’m always up for trying new things. You have to live with the times. The idea seems very good to me, and it seems to start quite well
Fred Chapellierabout the song in NFT version
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An approach that could make it possible to open up new generations to musical styles that are less highlighted by the mainstream media. The blues had several children, including rock’n’roll as Muddy Waters sang, and it is always good to remember that a lot of music, even current ones, owes it a lot.
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Fred Chapellier – “Straight to the point” (Dixie Frog) – Released February 25 on CD. It would later be released on double vinyl with three bonus tracks. Fred Chapellier will be in concert at the New Morning on March 23, with Grant Haua in the first part. Find all the information about Fred Chapellier on his official website or its Facebook page.