Honorary AWARDS, granted by the international jury of LES VIGNES D'OR

Honorary AWARD

A remarkable songwriting's quality, great musical arrangements, amazing underlying choruses, the whole being allied to an impressive conglomerate of paradoxical agonicisms & various antagonicisms, throughout the whole rhythmic, within a subtle harmonic and balanced musical biotope! What a gorgeous sensuality of the emissive vocal technique, tinged with various panoramic colors, sometimes evocative of Johnny Mathis, some other times evocative of Al Jarreau. A Master Work of Art!

Superbly well sung (sung by Fiona Robinson)! This is an interesting songwriting, due to its structural and harmonic content, sung by an outstanding voice, endowed with an overwhelming phonatory sensuality, together with an exemplary voice's projection relating to this specific musical genre. As impressive as Mariah Carrey herself (who could also sing this song, too)! In addition, the subtle indexed chorus, in the background, adds even more to this ambient tone of musical sensuality.

One of the most pleasant songs of this Contest, particularly relating to the lyrics (dedicated to Boris identical beloved twin brother). A haunting, suave and languorous vocal signature, which reminds the color of Roch Voisine [especially his first greatest hit entitled: "Hélène"]. On the whole, most ternary aspects of this song, which are composed of 1. its phonatory viaticum, as well as 2. its nice melody and harmonics (which are so pleasant to listen to) and 3. the specificity of this song's topic - have touched the heart of the jury.

The purity of inner emotion, in all its touching simplicity ... or nostalgia of yesteryear! One of the most moving songs of this contest! This was one of the favorite songs of the Mayor of Santenay, as well as being one the favorite songs of the president of our international jury.

A nice use of the mixed voice ["voce mista", in Italian] through the high singing register! This sort of emissive vocal technique is mainly used in baroque music by the counter tenor or even, in this case, by the "haute-contre à la française",  such as in the operatic works by the French composer named Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683 - † 1764), hence the French semantic unit: "Ténor Ramiste"). The whole piece is tinged with a sort of musical atmosphere - shall we say "initiatic" - that, to some moments, is reminiscent of the unforgettable "Come Away Melinda", by Uriah Heep.

Sung by Miss Molly, this nice song - about love, peace and brotherhood on earth - could be likely to enter the charts of the "Concours Eurovision de la Chanson".

A voice, plus a piano ... and the magic is born. Through her musical and stylistic signature and her typical voice projection, Margot Blanche, indirectly, makes us relive the nostalgic emotion relating to the great singer, Carole King, as well as one of her unforgettable top songs: "You've got a Friend" (1971).

What an irresistible voice! This is such a touching song! Something of the majestic Bryan Adams. The mystery of what French people call "le timbre vocal". Should the tradition assert that the eyes are the soul's mirror, we would rather be prone to think that each voice could reveal even more information about our hidden being. Should this be true, it would then appear that Mindsong, together with his singing and, most of all, his unique voice, exhale a wonderful soul.

Exceptionally high level of songwriting masterwork, enriched with amazing characteristics relating to the harmonic, rhythmic, lyrics and prosodic structures, the whole being worthy of the immense talent of a fantastic composer, such as Michel Legrand.

A crystalline, pure and diaphanous voice, for a nice nostalgic song, performed in Arabic language [Music by Skander Guetari - Lyrics by Samsa]. The lyrics say: - This star is shining as a twinkle in your eyes. I rejoice for a short while, because you might be not so far from me. Alas, tonight, I am alone, while my soul is in suffering, while the moonlight itself can not succeed in comforting my heart.

We all know the famous song popularly known under the title - Somewhere over THE rainbow (while the real original title is : - Over the rainbow) - which was originally performed and recorded by the wonderful female singer, named Judy Garland (who, for those who do not know it yet, is the mother of Liza Minelli). We all remember this title, mainly because it was also intimately related to the first color film in the history of cinema, alias: - The Wizard of Oz (released in 1939) ... Then, a few decades later, another song entitled - Somewhere over THAT rainbow - was born. This time, Somewhere over that rainbow is not only written, composed and sung by a male voice, but also performed with a strong powerful male energy in his singing, which, nevertheless, does not prevent the whole song and performance to be delicately impregnated with high sensitivity, together with an idealistic vision about life, which touches the soul and the secret inner self of each human being. A very nice song!

Purists of lyrical art might feel offended, but the whole jury of the contest LES VIGNES D'OR has greatly appreciated this unexpected "rock version", which refers to quite a famous operatic aria, "Toréador" (linked to the equally famous opera, by Georges Bizet, entitled: "Carmen"). In the form of an original musical arrangement, Steven Allen uses a mixture of sort of "male Brigitte Bardot and/or Isabelle Adjani voices", tinged with voluptuous vocal inflexions, followed by the issuance of a triumphant baritone, through his subsequent lyrical singing. This ubiquitary synergy creates a wonderful contrast that makes this type of music easily accessible to all, instead of narrowing its main "gnostic knowledge" to an elite circle made of a few rare insiders. Bravo!

In 1975, "Piccola e fragile" was one of the great successes of the Italian singer named Drupi. His voice, both slightly hoarse and warm at the same time, has conferred him a power of fascination - almost "erotic" - on the crowds. Steve Allen seems to be endowed with the same virtues, beyond the transcendence - almost mystical - of his radiant idiosyncrasies. Moreover, this poignant song - which is beautifully performed in Polish [music by Piotr Rabiega & lyrics by Andrezej Kusz] - evokes the torments of the wounded soul through a masterly poetry, which seems to be indirectly inspired by those unbearable anguishes endured by the renowned French poet, Charles Baudelaire, as he expressed in most of his majestic writings. The lyrics of this piece, sung in Polish, could symbolically be translated this way: - These words, born from the flame of Hope, I wear them in me, like a lancinating bereavement [...]. These words, made of unspeakable truths, highlight my inescapable existential dereliction, as the implacable seal of absence! May I find one day the healing of my soul! May I, one day, understand the original meaning of this pain, which lacerates my heart through its deleterious poniard?

Subjectively speaking, we would be rather prone to assert that, according to a commercial point of view, this might be one of the most promising songs, which could probably be popular enough to enter soon in the royal court of musical greatest hits. Furthermore, we enjoyed the voice color reminiscent of the French artist "Liane Foly", as well as main aspects linked to the soloist vocal technique and her specific way of singing. The music's connoisseurs will assuredly appreciate the potential signature of the great Serge Gainsbourg in the songwriting's style, mostly as what relates to one of his biggest success: - Comment te dire adieu (firstly sung by Françoise Hardy, then by other performers, such as Jimmy Sommerville or Natasha St Pier and so on).