Flossie Malavialle

With the surname of Malavialle you’d expect a person to be French.  On the other hand, a Christian name of Flossie would suggest that person to be somewhere from the North of England.  Are ye all reet pet, like!

Well in Flossie Malavialle that’s exactly what you get,  for this lovely songbird is a French singer who moved to North East England back in 2002.  Why anyone would move from the warmth of  Southern France to the Southern slopes of Newcastle is beyond me but hey…  France’s loss is definitely our gain!  For although Flossie originally moved here in her capacity as a supply teacher, she is now a full-time musician touring the UK and Europe as well are such far flung places as Hong Kong, Tasmania and Australia.

Last night Flossie was on stage at the Rhyl Folk and Acoustic Club where the audience, me included, fell in love with her mellifluous voice and beautiful guitar style.

Her accent when she speaks is nothing short of amazing.  I cannot think of a more bizarre combination of French and Geordie.  But it was strangely beautiful. It was “très bien, like”!

Flossie’s singing voice however, contained not a hint of Geordie and during her two 40-minute spots, she treated us to a wonderful mix of  contemporary and transitional songs encompassing Folk, Country, Irish and, of course, French.  Her rendition – in French – of that famous Édith Piaf number left us with no regrets whatsoever.

It was a wonderful evening’s entertainment and the half dozen or so of us who also got up to do a spot were truly honoured to have acted as support for such a fabulous singer.

Let’e hope we see her paying a return visit to North Wales soon.