62246 Vol Songs of the atolls and the islands 2

Gaston Guilbert

Gaston Guilbert ful l'un des pionniers de 1’enregistrement de musique tahitienne authentique dans les ileś. Son premier album "Songs of the Atolls" (Paumotu and Island songs) constitue d'une serie de 78 tours, a ete realise en 1951.

II avait un avantage certain sur ses concurrents, celui d'etre doue et expert en electronique, ce qui lui permettait de realiser lui-meme Pagencement technique de son studio, d'en assurer la maintenance du materiel, un reel atout quand vous etes a des milliers de kilometres du lieu d'origine des equipements, des fournisseurs. Gaston Guilbert n’avait pas de formation musicale, mais son idee de collaboration avec Yves Roche, musicien, compositeur et arrangeur, permit de combler cette lacune. Ainsi pendant plus de 10 ans Yves Roche fut son conseiller musical.

Ensemble, ils realiserent les tous premiers microsillons 45 et 33 Trs "LP" de musique polynesienne, faisant de "Tiarę Tahiti Records" un des principaux producteurs de musique des Tles durant les annees 50 & 60 ; ont contribue a ce succes de nombreux talents tels les chanteuses et chanteurs figurant sur le present album : Maeva, Loma, Mila, Alex, Faimano, Morito, Taaroa, Ceraphine, Bimbo, Titi, Moro, Simon, Henriette, Tanoa, Hei, Phyllis, les musiciens comme Alain Mottet, Tautu, Filo, Arthur, Eugene, Neri, Charley, Matapo, et bien d'autres artistes encore...

Le travail de Guilbert dans la domaine de 1'enregistrement śtait son "hobby", sa principale occupation etant la distribution exclusive en Polynesie pour "Chrysler Auto" et autres grandes marques d'appareil$ divers. Ne le 24 decembre 1907, il grandit ś Tahiti, ou son pere, Georges Guilbert, fonctionnaire franęais faisait partie du corps diplomatique, et son sejour prolonge en Polynesie fit que le jeune Gaston s'attacha profondement a ces ileś ; ainsi il y vecut le reste de sa vie, nous ayant quittes le 25 aout 1992.

Voici donc dans cet album, un peu d'enchantement, de decouverte en musique de cette legendaire atmosphere de Tahiti et des ileś du Pacifique sud, au travers de ces mślodies "Songs of the Atolls and the Islands", qui ont ete collectees par Gaston Guilbert.

Gaston Guilbert was one of the pioneers in recording authentic Tahitian musie in the Islands. His first record album "Songs of the Atolls" (Paumotu and Island songs) was released in 1951.

He had an advantage over his competitors because of his skill as an electronic expert who could build and repair his own equipment, an asset when you are thousands of miles from the source of equipment and supplies.

Although Gaston Guilbert had no musical background he was resourceful enough to engage Yves Roche, who was one of the leading musicians, composers and arrangers in Tahiti, as his musical advisor. Together, they produced Tahiti's first 45 & 33 RPM records of Polynesian musie, making "Tiarę Tahiti Records" one of the top producers of Island musie during the ‘50s & '60s, and introduced such great talents as the singers performing in this album : Maeva, Loma, Mila, Alex, Faimano, Morito, Taaroa, Ceraphine, Bimbo, Titi, Moro, Simon, Henriette, Tanoa, Hei, Phyllis, musicians as Alain Mottet, Tautu, Filo, Arthur, Eugene, Neri, Charley, Matapo,and many other artists...

Guilberfs recording work was his hobby, while his main business was the Island distributor for "Chrysler Auto" and major brands of home appliances.

Gaston was bom on the december 24 1907 and he grew up in Tahiti, where his father, Georges Guilbert, a French diplomat, was stationed; this explains how he developed a love of the Islands, where he spent the rest of his life - untill August 25 1992.

Thus, these haunting "Songs of the Atolls and the Islands" explain some of the enchanting legend and great beauty of Tahiti and the South Pacific Isles. For this, we can only thank Gaston Guilbert.

Manuiti is indebted to the help and assistance generousty offered by Mrs Florida Guilbert, in the production of this tribute album to the memory of Gaston Guilbert.

Sincere thanks also necessary for different assistances given by Mr Mickey Goldsen, Mr Al Prince.