Report from our Sister City: A star in Noirmoutier

Nine days after we celebrated Independence Day here in Crestview, folks in our sister city, Noirmoutier en L’ile, observed Bastille Day, France’s biggest national day. Frank Fischbach of the paper of record in Noirmoutier provided this report.

July13, a few minutes before the fireworks went off, people in Noirmoutier heard an impressive explosion of talent.

A new young singer? Not exactly. In fact, Pellok has always lived with music in his blood. Born in Nantes, the closest continental city to Noirmoutier, he was 18 when he decided to go to Paris, with only his guitar, to try to be singer.

After many rounds of meetings and concerts, he finally signed a seven-year contract with the Philips record label. A glorious time in his life? Not quite.

“Three years later, I only had made one 45 rpm disc. My career had not started, and we decided to end the contract,” remembers Pellok.

But his music continued, and he worked for famous French singers.

“I recorded ‘La Nana des années 60’ (‘60s girl), with Renaud’s accordionist and Daniel Balavoine’s arranger. This slow song was initially written for Laurent Voulzy, but he was not interested, meeting success with ‘Rockcollection’ at this period,” Pellok said.

Pellok still tried to record this song with Francis Cabrel’s musicians, but the recording never came about. By now it was 1992, and Pellok decided to quit Paris to return to Vendée and live in Noirmoutier.

A second life

Pellok may not be a national celebrity, but continues to live for his passion. A laborer by day, he loves taking his guitar to play concerts in Noirmoutier.

At 50 years old, he released his fifth CD three months ago, “Et puis voilå” (“And That’s That”), thus titled because “in life, there is some little or even bigger problems, but it’s life, we have to live with it,” Pellok said philosophically.

“Bad weather, car problems, bills... It’s life, and that is that!”

Such a modest man!

It is the best CD he has ever made. Grand songs that speak about love, for his friends, his family, but also for Noirmoutier and the sea, which is such an important part of life on the island, particularly Belle Ile en mer.

(In 1999, Pellok made a CD, “No Pole,” to vent through song his anger over an oil spill that polluted the island and the sea around it.)

Pellok’s new CD features more mature songs by the artist, highlighted by Susie Knight’s violoncello, Dominique Fauchard and Dominique Briffaud’s guitars.

Pellok has one regret.

“For the song ‘So quiet,’ my dream was to sing with Georges Moustaki,” Pellok lamented. “I played for the first part of his concert in Noirmoutier, in 2006, but he couldn’t play with me this time. Maybe he had health problems?”

For the island’s Bastille Day celebration, Pellok played in Noirmoutier for a city full of people, including summer tourists, but also fans of the “local star.”

After some holiday speeches and comments from local leaders, the public resumed enjoying Pellok’s ballads. Their ultimate reward, after more than an hour-long concert, was a surprise autograph session for children and their families.

On this special night, in Noirmoutier’s sky, a new star shone. A star from the sea. After so many years of waiting, it’s only the beginning. And that is that!

HEAR THE MUSIC

To hear Pellok’s music, visit www.myspace.com/pelloknoirmoutier. For information about the singer, visit http://pellok.over-blog.com.