Bia

In the comments of the Brisa-posting (below), someone (Roar?) mentioned Brazilian-born Bia. As a big fan of bossa, samba and favela funk, I had to hear this bi-lingual singer sing in French. One could say she's a fish in the same pond as Bebel Gilberto and Céu, only more traditional: no electronics for Bia. A new album is on the way (released first Quebec, than the rest of the world, 'cause Bia is living in Montréal right now - seems like FillesSourires is on a Canadian streak this week), you can listen to snippets on her site. Love that Tom Jobim-translation to French, ánd her Portuguese translation of Serge's L'eau à la Bouche. Also present: a translated version of the Keren Ann/Biolay-written, Henri Salvador-sung Jardin d'hiver.

But posted here is Les Mures Sauvages, from second album Sources.

Hear here.

Brisa

Look at the cover picture. Now that's what I call dew-eyed. If I told you Paris-Match called Brisa Roché the new Billie Holiday, that she was born in California, toured as a child in Romania, sang in Parisian nightclubs and covers Salvatore Adamo on her debut album (that was released in 2002 but recently re-released by the famous Blue Note-label), you'd really want to listen. Right? Well, I did. And I'm not quite sure what to make of this 'eskimo baby'. Some kind of Madeleine Peyroux (whom I do not like)? An off-key Norah Jones who likes to rock out as well? On Brisa's album are two French songs, the aforementioned Adamo-cover Dans Le Vert de Ses Yeux (1), and self-penned Coco, recorded with trumpeteer Erik Truffaz (2). Both are posted here. What do you think?

Hear here 1.

Hear here 2.

Ariane (2)

Don't know about you, but I'm already thinking about my Best Albums of the Year-list. In fact: one mag and one site already asked me to send my top ten to them. In December I will post the Filles Sourires-Best of 2005-list. It's nearly complete, but I'm holding my breath a little for Le Coeur dans la Tête, the new album by Canadienne Ariane Moffatt. Her debut, officially released in 2002, recently was made available on iTunes (and Amazon.fr), probably in the wake of the release of Coeur on Nov. 16. Her site tells us it will be a versatile album, ranging from reggae to electro. I've ordered it, and will post a track as soon as mr. Mailman delivers it. Ariane's debut Aquanote had a dubby, electronic vibe as well, but sported some beautiful pianoballads too. Posted here is Bien Dans Rien, which to me sounds like a take on Satie.

Hear here.

Lola

Canadian duo Lola Dutronic (Richard Citroen, Francoise Hart) count Serge Gainsbourg, Air and April March as their influences. On their debutalbum (released last month) they make gentle, electronica-driven popsongs that indeed breathe the spirit of the influences just mentioned. They do a lot of coverversions: one very Air-y version of Katrina & The Waves' Walking On Sunshine, La Maritza by Sylvie Vartan, Francoise Hardy's Ma Jeunesse Fout le Camp and BB's La Fin d'Été, that was also recorded by Hardy on the Ma Jeunesse-album, by the way. Posted below are Lola's version (1) of Ma Jeunesse, and Francoise's original (2). Here at Chez Filles Sourires we certainly like a band that makes tongue-in-cheeky French pop (ever heard Les Sans-Culottes, by the way?). Also, check some great Lola-remixes!

Hear Here 1.

Hear Here 2.

France Franzözisch

And we're back, after three exciting weeks in South Africa. Only to find my beloved Paris, and the rest of France, burning. I feel a bit awkward posting upbeat French songs in these times - then again, this isn't a political soapbox, but a shrine for the beautiful produits de la France. Let's hope things quiet down a bit, nobody dies no more and that the government finds the right ways and takes the right actions to cope with the problems.

On the more fun side: Vincent send me this link. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Lisa

Lisa Barel played in lots of piano bars, I understand from this biography. Does that mean the stern-but-sensual looking Barel played standards in eateries, with a very big cognac-glass on her piano? Or in small, cosy cafés that had a piano? What exactly is a piano-bar, and do they still exist in France? Anyways, through sheer perseverance Lisa got a record-contract, and in 2001 her debut was released. It's a dreamy affair, with hints of Joni Mitchell. Posted here is Mon Jardin. I don't know if the album was a succes in France, I guess not 'cause there was no folluw-up. Shame.

Hear Here.

Elisa (2)

Thanks to FillesSourires-regular Roar I got to know Elisa Point (I posted a song earlier). Her girly voice is heavenly high-pitched, her songs meander between sexiness and seriousness. There's little I could find on the net, 'cept for this page with an odd biography, from which I understand she's very much inspired by great poets. Her last album was released in 2004, and she also wrote a book (I can't make out if it's a novel or a poetry collection). The song's posted here are from Elisa's first two albums from 1983 and 1995. Brigitte B. (1) is a joyful, kinda synthi-poppy song about, well, you know who. La Chaleur et La Poussière (2) is a string-infused, very sexy song about a naughty girl.

Hear Here 1

Hear Here 2