Ada le Fol ~ France

Les Années d'Errance (1980)

Ada le Fol is another example of the groups* of the French underground that played in that unique theatrical progressive rock style made so popular by Ange and Mona Lisa. Les Années d'Errance is more underproduced and amateurish, just as like-minded bands such as Trefle and Grime are, but that's honestly where the appeal lies. It's creativity at its most raw. The vocalist here does a fine job at the Decamps style, while the keyboards and guitar keep the progressive quotient alive. 

The album starts a bit tentatively and seems to be on a hard downhill slope with a throwaway good-times rock and roller (the awful 'Les Bons Conseils'), But starting with the non-bluesy 'Breizh Blues', the album proves to be a strong example of the French vocal-prog style.

*I didn't realize until getting this on LP, that Ada le Fol is a person. As it turns out, it's a pseudonym for a one Alain Rouquette. We made the change on Discogs as well, as it's a little known fact. Despite this tidbit, it remains a full band effort.

Ownership: 1980 Disques Velia (LP). Lyric / photo insert. 

No reissues as of 3/30/25.

12/8/10 (first listen); 9/14/19; 1/15/22 (review / new entry)