Hallyday’s farewell tour of France is already sold out and set to head off in 2009 before ending the following year, incredibly, his 50th in the business. This 17-track doubledisc (also available on DVD) turns back the clock to the days when the tireless French Elvis was riding the crest of a wave in the wake of the success of his then-comeback album 1985’s Rock’n’Roll Attitude and its sequel, 1987’s Gang.
Backed by a pumped-up seven-piece band and a trio of backing singers, Hallyday rocks his way through a set which mixes recent hits such as Quelque Chose De Tennessee with tried and tested oldies including Mon P’tit Loup, Le Feu and La Musique Que Je T’Aime.
The mood bounces around between the appropriately rootsy and what, at times, almost feels like stadium rock. The wildly enthusiastic response of the Montreux crowd tells you all you really need to know about Hallyday’s enduring status as the best-selling artist of all time within the French-speaking world. Vive le Johnny!
