Steve Waring

Biography

Stylistically rooted in American folk music, children's music performer Steve Waring is a French singer, songwriter, and banjoist with a deep catalog that spans several decades. Born in 1943 in France, he made his recording debut in 1966. During the 1970s he released a variety of albums on the label Le Chant du Monde that found him exploring traditional American folk music. For instance, the album Les Grenouilles (1975) features French-language adaptations of songs by Tom Paxton and Woody Guthrie alongside original material such as "Les Grenouilles" and "Le Matou Reviente," all of which is performed by a band comprised musically of banjo, guitar, Celtic flute, harp, Jew's harp, and spoons. In later years, Waring established himself as a popular performer of children's music. Latter-day albums released on Le Chante du Monde during the compact disc era include L'Ogresse (1990), Histoires à Musique (1994), Le Colporteur (1994), Rond Pays (1999), La Baleine Bleue (2000), Les Grenouilles (2000), Le Ramoneur Rouge (2000), Les Animaux des Poètes (2005), and En Sortant de l'École (2006). Release dates vary, however, as these album were often reissued time and time again. In addition to his Le Chante du Monde output, Waring released a series of albums on the label Rym Musique including 5 Frères Dans le Puits (1998), Il Était une Chanson (2000), Chnoques (2001), and Les Vacances de Woody (2003). He also released music on the label Victorie Music, beginning with the album Le Retour du Matou (2008). ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide