WINIFRED ATWELL – THE POOR PEOPLE OF PARIS – EP ORIGINAL UK 1956 – DECCA DFE 6405

"The Poor People of Paris" is a popular song. It was adapted by Jack Lawrence in 1954 from the French language song "La goualante du pauvre Jean" (words by René Rouzaud, music by Marguerite Monnot). The title arises in part from a misinterpretation of the French title, as "pauvre Jean" was taken for the same-sounding "pauvre gens," which translates as "poor people." A recording of the song by Les Baxter's orchestra was a number-one hit on the Billboard Singles Chart in the US during 1956. In the same year, the piano version by Winifred Atwell was number one in the UK Singles Chart from April 13 to 27. Cover versions by Lawrence Welk, Russ Morgan and Chet Atkins appeared in the US Top 100. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney recorded a version containing the seldom-heard Jack Lawrence lyrics. Edith Piaf had one of her great hits with the original French version of the song. Winifred Atwell (27 February 1914 – 28 February 1983) was a pianist who enjoyed great popularity in Britain and other countries (including Australia) from the 1950s with a series of boogie woogie and ragtime hits. Atwell was born in Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago as Una Winifred Atwell. She and her parents lived in Jubilee Street. Her family owned a pharmacy, and she trained as a druggist, and was expected to join the family business, Winifred, however, had played the piano since a young age, and achieved considerable popularity locally. She used to play for American servicemen at the air force base (which is now the main airport). It was whilst playing at the Servicemen's Club at Piarco that someone bet her she couldn't play something in the boogie woogie style that was popular back home in the USA. She went away and wrote "Piarco Boogie" which was later renamed "Five Finger Boogie".