The Three Bells - Les compagnons de la chanson

A 78 I inherited from my great uncle. On English Columbia, record date unknown. Edith Piaf discovered this group and recorded with them in French. This is the English version of the song "Les Trois Cloches" she made with them, however this time without Piaf. What's most astonishing about this recording is that it's entirely 'a capella'.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Les
• Compagnons
• de
• la
• Chanson
• The
• Three
• Bells
• 78
• 78rpm

[throovest]

Wonderful stuff. Michelle Sandoz on lead vocal..... my grandfather

[laceup1967]

Thank you for responding. It's nice to make contact with a person with family contact. I not only grew up with this song but this very record. Your grandfather's voice is an integral part of my childhood.

[nathan0578]

I had the pleasure of seeing this group in Blackpool when this record was newly released. This brings back happy memories,thank you notyobs.

[laceup1967]

I'm glad that this little record has brought happiness to so many.

[mouzicheck]

Hihi , thanks to laceup1967 for giving us this on You tube. i'm french, and i find this very funny. Well, this is a part of our radio culture... 55 years ago, i can't denied. Please, if you ear that, try to find here one version with edith Piaf. Just to listen her voice. :)

[laceup1967]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I know the voice of Piaf very well. It was part of my growing up. My father called her "The Little Bird" from which her stage name was derived. I also have many records of Gilbert Becaud. I will post some if you would like.

[sudsykaputnik]

This was one of my Dads favorite records. I havn't heard it for 50 years! So many memories. Thank you.

[Tweagle11]

Such poignant memories from when I was a child and my Dad was still alive. Thank you.

[MOGGS1942]

I saw this wonderful group in Swansea Empire when I was a young lad. Thanks for the memories.

[emb1st]

I truly love this verson. I bought the Col EP way back when with the Three Bells,

Whirlwind, Ave Maria and The Lonesome Sailor sung in English. Nine voices

and they did it well.

[therealjoebloggs]

@laceup1967  May YOUR soul find its salvation for posting this breathtakingly beautiful song, even in English and sans Piaf

[paulettefrost]

Many memories for me too! I have to listen with the French accent as that is how I heard it as a child....thank you for posting this, it has overwhelmed me with memories!

[Gwailo54]

This too brings back memories for me, of my grandmother, the 78 player, my mother's memories of the holiday in Blackpool where they heard this performed by Les Compagnons. I am happy to find out others also have childhood memories of this song, some that chime (no pun intended) in with mine. Bell sounds have been an evocative part of my life. On the B side was "That Lucky Old Sun", I had forgotten that until just now.

[gnomely1]

@laceup1967 I listened to this when I was five years old, in 1953. It was one of my favourite songs at that time and it is wonderful to find it here. We had the very same recording and it survived for many years before breaking, as they did then. Thank you so much for posting it and ensuring its continuing popularity. May you enjoy the rest of your life in peace and well-being.

[TheSteamtramman]

We are all united in songs - melodies - our Finnish crew members used to sing "The Three Bells" in a polyglot mixture of languages, depending whether Edith's, the Browns or Les Compagnons version had been played that night!!

[TheSteamtramman]

We are all united in songs - melodies - our Finnish crew members used to sing "The Three Bells" in a polyglot mixture of languages, depending whether Edith's, the Browns or Les Compagnons version had been played that night!!

[pgh45rpms]

"Les Trois Cloches" is a Swiss song with French lyrics, written in 1948. Early versions of the tune, titled "While the Angelus was Ringing", were recorded by many the following year -- Frank Sinatra, Dick Haymes, Margaret Whiting & the Andrews Sisters to name a few. But it was this beautiful version by a choral group from Lyon, France who had the major hit with "The Three Bells". In 1959 it was redone successfully by Jim Ed Brown & his sisters, as well as the Fleetwoods. Thanks for posting.