Sylvie Vartan – Made In The USA

Sylvie Vartan is a music legend in her home country of France. She’s been in the music business since the early 60’s and has a greater significance in the melodic rock on three counts.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Sylvie Vartan
ALBUM: Made In The USA
LABEL: Intercord (Germany), RCA (France)
SERIAL: INT 845.092, PL 70905
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: France

LINEUP: Sylvie Vartan – vocals * Richie Wise – drum programming, production * Claude Gaudette – keyboards, drum programming * Joey Brasler, Troy Baxter, David Hallyday – guitars * Kenny Aaronson, David Garagher – bass * George Perelli, Tom Walsh – drums * John De Andrea – arrangements

TRACK LISTING: 01 Double Exposure * 02 One Shot Lover * 03 If You Walk Away * 04 Let Me Show You How * 05 I Saw Mary * 06 Out Of Control * 07 Wrap Your Arms Around Me * 08 Running Scared * 09 Heard It In A Heartbeat * 10 Shooting Star

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Background

Sylvie Vartan (real name Sylvie Georges Vartanian) is a music legend in her home country of France, though she was bought up in her birth nation of Bulgaria. She’s been in the music business since the early 60’s and has a greater significance in the melodic rock scene on three counts than most people might realize.

Firstly, she is the first wife of French icon Johnny Hallyday (aka Jean-Phillipe Smet), and in so doing, is the mother of pop rock/AOR soloist David Hallyday (real name David Michael Benjamin Smet), born in 1966 and well known to many here at GDM. She divorced her husband in late 1980 when David was just 14.

Secondly, her second husband was Tony Scotti, co-head of record label Scotti Brothers alongside brother Ben, who she married in 1984. Coincidentally, son David was signed to the Scotti Bros Records roster in 1987. And thirdly, she released an American pop rock/AOR album sung entirely in English in 1985, though it did not have Scotti Bros involvement. That album ‘Made In The USA’ is the subject of our review.

Before we get to the album, I’ll make mention of Sylvie’s transition throughout her singing career. Initially it was a mix of solo singles sung in the familiar chanson style, plus live duos with husband Johnny, both before and after they got married. There is a lot music through the 60’s and 70’s decade. By the early 80’s after her divorce, Sylvie heavied up her image, grew out her hair and sported the leather jacket look. Even her voice roughened slightly, coming across like Bonnie Tyler on occasion.

On the album cover, she looks amazing, like a toned down version of Lita Ford. Just see for yourself. Musically, Sylvie serves up 10 tracks of mid 80’s pop rock with Laura Branigan and the aforementioned Bonnie Tyler used as reference points. Former 70’s rockers Dust have two of their alumni represented in Richie Wise (producer) and Kenny Aaronson (bass). Founding Sypro Gyra member Tom Walsh also appears on drums.

The Songs

‘Double Exposure’ was the lead single from the album, A bouncy pop rock number. Here you can listen out for those Tyler and Brannigan influences. ‘One Shot Lover’ goes to a new level of commercial pop rock. It’s straight out of the 80’s for sure. ‘If You Walk Away’ is the album’s ballad. It was probably too mellow for my tastes.

Much better is the energetic ‘Let Me Show You How’, with a load of synths and tight sounding drum work. Even ‘I Saw Mary’ has some pleasant upbeat moments which mount up by the end. ‘Out Of Control’ is a punchy highlight too, while the flowing ‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me’ is one for late night listening.

‘Running Scared’ is the album’s raciest moment, this could even pass for a synthwave track if it was given a modern remix. Probably one of two or three highlights on the LP. Twinkly synthwork permeates ‘Heard It In A Heartbeat’, this is the kinda stuff that was tailor-made for 1985 airwaves. The closer ‘Shooting Star’ surprises as a hard rocker of sorts with abundant guitar riffs and big sounding drums.

In Summary

‘Made In USA’ was distributed throughout Europe, with France, Germany and Italy obtaining local distribution deals. Japan also jumped on the bandwagon but the album was retitled as ‘Double Exposure’ and given a new album cover. Why did they even bother. The original jacket was awesome.

My guess about Sylvie’s image and sound change is that it probably came at the insistence of her husband Tony Scotti, already a heavy hitter in the US market with the ability to call on the crystal ball to assess future prospects. However, after 1986’s ‘Virage’ release, Sylvie took time off to cool the jets, reappearing in 1989 with the lush and hi-tech sounding ‘Confidanses’ album produced by Enigma‘s Michael Cretu.

It’s very likely we may look at a few more Sylvie Vartan albums judging from what I’ve seen and heard so far.

Sylvie Vartan on Video

Double Exposure