Recorded in Paris in July 1975 for Polydor and released in September 1975, this disc is the first album of the trio formation (formed by Jean-Loup Baly, Jean-François Dutertre and Yvon Guilcher) which will make the Mélusine group known.
The disc opens with a song describing the miseries of the military condition, "Le Matin au point du jour", which will contribute to the success of Mélusine, a song both very dark and very beautiful, telling the story of a soldier who is murdering his officer. She was blacklisted on public radio for several months because of her perceived anti-militarist character. Fortunately, numerous live concerts on the radio, appearances on television and the frequent passage of a title like "Je descends dans mon jardin" make the album known.
Mélusine also offers a new version of "Pierre de Grenoble" (from his own collections in the Cévennes), very different from that of Malicorne by its refined appearance, its totally different music and its alternative text, as well as two polyphonic ranges. a cappella, including a version of "La Peronnelle" with music there too very different from that of Malicorne. As for the "Girls who enter dance" of which Yvon Guilcher is the author and the "Ronde du Tournebout", composed by Jean-Loup Baly, they seem directly from the tradition.
But it is above all the polyphonic treatment of the songs that will strike the public and build the image of Mélusine as an innovative vocal group.
Thus, from this first disc Mélusine asserts his musical style: polyphonies based on popular models, but open to harmonic innovation, songs strictly accompanied by traditional acoustic instruments, but with research of alliances of timbres between plucked strings, strings rubbed and different winds for each song.
The repertoire of this first album harmoniously alternates a cappella polyphonies and instrumental songs, punctuated by some traditional dances, dances and songs being taken from collections or coming from collections.
01 - Le Matin Au Point Du Jour
02 - J'ai Un Long Voyage A Faire (Bourree D'Aurore Sand)
03 - Pierre De Grenoble
04 - Les Filles Qui Entrent En Danse
05 - Bourrees - Ai Fatz Uno Mestresso (D'ound Benes Bous Pierre - Para Lou Loup)
06 - Je Descends Dans Mon Jardin (Piou Piou)
07 - J'ai Fait Une Maitresse (Ronde Du Tournebout)
08 - La Peronnelle
09 - Buvons Tous A Pleins Verres
10 - Mazurka (Les Morvandiaux)
11 - Indicatif
Yvon Guilcher: Bodhrán, Crumhorn, Recorder, Spoons, Vocals
Jean-François Dutertre: Bodhrán, Hurdy Gurdy, Mandola, Vocals, Zither [Épinette Des Vosges]
Jean-Loup Baly: Melodeon [Diatonic Accordion], Vocals, Whistle, Zither [Épinette Des Vosges]