Video Drum Cover – Calogero – Le Portrait

Released in 2014 on Les Feux d’artifice, “Le Portrait” is one of Calogero’s most intimate and emotionally powerful songs. Written with music by Calogero and his brother Gioacchino Maurici and lyrics by Paul École, the song tells the story of a young boy who has lost his mother and secretly recreates her image in chalk. For a fan of the drums, however, there is another story happening underneath the words: the carefully controlled rhythm that gives this heartbreaking ballad its pulse.

Paul École’s lyrics were the starting point for a song built around small, vivid images rather than grand declarations. The boy looks toward the sky, sees airplanes passing overhead and imagines that his mother might somehow be there. At night, he draws her on the floor from a portrait. Calogero and Gioacchino Maurici composed music that leaves enough space for these images to breathe, allowing the melody and arrangement to carry the emotion without becoming overly dramatic.

The studio recording was produced by Calogero and Alan O’Connell. The musicians included Calogero on electric bass, Johan Dalgaard on piano, Michel Aymé and Jan Pham Huu Tri on guitars, and Magnus Persson on drums. Persson’s role is particularly interesting because the song demands restraint. Rather than filling every space, the drums provide a steady foundation beneath the piano, guitars and bass. The playing allows the vocal to remain at the center while subtly increasing the emotional weight as the arrangement develops.

This is where “Le Portrait” becomes especially rewarding for drummers. Its rhythm is not designed to impress through speed or technical fireworks. Instead, the drummer must understand dynamics, touch and space. The controlled groove helps the song breathe, while the transitions give certain sections additional emotional impact. It is an excellent example of how a drummer can contribute enormously to a song without ever becoming the dominant voice.

“Le Portrait” was also recorded in an acoustic version, featuring Christophe Dubois on drums, with piano and guitar creating an even more intimate setting. The song subsequently appeared on Live 2015 and a live recording from Brussels is also documented in Calogero’s discography.

The song has remained part of Calogero’s concert repertoire. During the A.M.O.U.R Tour in 2024, “Le Portrait” was performed at numerous venues, including Paris La Défense Arena, the Zénith de Nantes, the Zénith de Rouen and the Palais Nikaïa in Nice.

For a drummer, “Le Portrait” is a lesson in serving the story. Every beat supports the fragile atmosphere, proving that sometimes the most powerful drumming is the playing that knows exactly when to hold back.