Recently I posted a tango'd version of a famous French chanson, acclaimed Spanish actress Victoria Abril brought together a bunch of flamenco-heavyweights for her take on the chansons of Gainsbourg, Ferré and Nougarro. Olala is the name of Abril's (second) album, with a 'coeur Gitan' and 'une âme Française'. In the case of Serge's La Javanaise the outcome is, erm, interesting. Never thought a song that's so much about Paris, could sound so Andalusian. Elsa is a song based on a poem by Louis Aragon, with music by Leo Ferré. Victoria Abril - La Javanaisse Victoria Abril - Elsa
Live-reviews are more than welcome - FS-friend Jan Hiddink wrote a great piece on the concert by Benjamin Biolay, in the Brussels Botanique.
So there he is. Benjamin Biolay. Benjamin is behind the grand piano, his band is aside to him. Drums, keyboards / electronics, guitar, bass, and a separate microphone waiting. Four men and a girl, surrounded by cardboard figures of American basketball players. We have no clue why these cardboard figures are there. And we don’t know who the musicians are, as we are supposed to. There can be no doubt about who we are here for. All of the stagelightning and setup is designed for one man only: Benjamin Biolay. His initials B.B. B.B. might be the centre of the world, here in the Orangerie of the beautiful Botanique in Brussels, yet the first thing that comes to mind is that B.B. does not look too good –if not worrying bad. As with Gainsbourg, nicotine and alcohol come with the appearance of the singer.
Isn't she lovely? Isn't Cecile Hercule wonderful? The singer/actress grew up with the Beatles and Renaud, and taught herself how to play guitar during her stay on Madagascar (on humanitarian mission). In Lyon and Paris, she went to theater-school, and acted mostly in tv-shows. She's also available for circus-tricks! She has a gorgeous husky voice (a bit like Elodie Frégé), writes her songs (about men, love and life) herself, looks spectacular and nowadays tours as a backup singer with Tétard. I love the songs on her Myspace - watch that video for Si J'Étais un Garçon too! Cecile Hercule - Printemps Cecile Hercule - Comme Avant
I know what you are doing on February 1, 2008. You're sitting next to me, in Paradiso Amsterdam, watching Jane Birkin play. That's what. (pre-sale starts Saturday November 24th. The same as...yes!)
After this debacle, I had to wait until the official release of Un Bruit Qui Court to post a great song (written by Arthur H) from a great album. Haven't heard all songs yet, but so far it's gorgeous. There áre repetitive elements, and the jazz-influence is evident (as said before). On Pauline's site you can see a Making Of of the Jour de Foule-video. Pauline Croze - Baiser d'Adieu
Pop quiz: what's the sexiest French videoclip ever? Is it Libertine by Mylene Farmer? Bye Bye Mon Cowboy by Mitsou? Fleur de Saison by Emilie Simon? 5.55 by Charlotte Gainsbourg? Sexy Girl by Clara Morgane? (just kidding 'bout that last one). Do you know another great sexy French video?
UPDATE: there can be only one winner to this 'contest', ofcourse:
I've done a few interviews supporting the release of Filles Fragiles, and when asked about the how of my French girls obsession, I thought of the backseat of my dad's car, when the whole family was on holiday in France and we listened to French radio. That is when I heard about Elli Medeiros, Jeanne Mas, Stéphanie de Monaco, Corynne Charby and the oh-so-lovely Muriel from Niagara. Later I saw a few of their videos via RTBF's Cargo de Nuit. This, plus a few French female teachers, is the basis of my obsession, I think. French 80s hits recently popped up elsewhere, about time I got involved too. Here's a French eighties mix, featuring songs I have fond memories of (Mas, Charby, Niagara), song I recently discovered (Elsa, Lio) and songs that should be in a mix like this (Gainsbourg, Mitsou, Regrets). Blowdry your hair, take out the leotards, roll up your sleeves and enjoy. You know the routine: one file, 72 MB, over 50 minutes long, right click 'n save! Filles Sourires French Eighties Mix
Tracklist Tout le monde s'amuse - Regrets Les Filles nous on veux du fun - Helena Lemkovitch Comix Discomix - Lio Juste une mise au point - Jackie Quartz Cezanne Peint - France Gall Charlotte For Ever - Serge & Charlotte Gainsbourg En Rouge et Noir - Jeanne Mas Naufrage en hiver - Mikado Soleil d'hiver - Niagara T'En Vas Pas - Elsa Pile ou Face - Corynne Charby Bye Bye Mon Cowboy - Mitsou Toi mon toit - Elli Medeiros
