Artist: Roland Gerbeau
Author: Charles Trenet/Albert Lasny
Label: Disque Sofradi
Year: 1945
Once Trenet's supporting act and a good one, landing him the privilege to introduce new chansons. He even cut Douce France before anybody else (see there). La Mer was first offered to Suzy Solidor, but she declined it ("Des chansons sur la mer, on m'en envoye 10 par jour"). Gerbeau recorded it with Jo Bouillon's orchestra (Josephine Baker's husband). Reissued on Frémeaux double cd L'integral Trenet Vol. 5.
Covers:
Renée Lebas [on the radio; nicknamed 'La Mère de La Mer']
Charles Trenet [author on Columbia; let others get away with it first for lack of swing]
Harry James [as Beyond The Sea; vocal: Marion Morgan; lyrics: Jack Lawrence]
Benny Goodman [idem]
Bob Scholte [as De Zee]
Liselotte Malkowski [in German]
Bobby Darin [hit US & UK as Beyond The Sea, follow-up of his Mack The Knife]
Scott Howard [idem]
Lize Marke [as De Zee]
Kevin Kline [in film French Kiss]
Ewan MacGregor [in film A Life Less Ordinary]
Robbie Williams [later also in film Finding Nemo]
Kevin Spacey [in film Beyond The Sea about and as Bobby Darin]
Barry Manilow [most as Beyond The Sea]
Rob de Nijs [as De Zee; lyrics: Herman Pieter De Boer]
Jeff Lynne [as Beyond The Sea]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)