1. Guy Chambers & Sophie Hunter - Les Amants d'Edimbourg. Taken from the bestest French album of the year. With lyrics by Keren Ann, (co-)production by Chambers and sung by the beautiful Sophie Hunter, this album is not only a great labour of love for Chambers' daughter Isis, but a wonderful tribute to the Gainsbourgian heritage.
2. Francoiz Breut - Boite de Nuit. The girl from the north county makes music that is perfect for a ride through Death Valley in a beat-up Citroen DS, with a cool, cigarette smoking dark-haired beauty at the wheel.
3. Camille - Ta Douleur. The highly talented Camille only needs a bass, her voice and some production-tricks to make a great, innovative and mind-stimulating album.
4. Clarika - Ne Me Demande Pas. French answer to PJ Harvey, only sexier.
5. Daphné - Un Homme Sous Influence. Big symphonic sound, tiny voice, winning combination.
Feel free to post your fave Filles Sourires-Five in the comments!
Brilliant Top 5, and although I know those songs myself, I wanted to let you know that the Guy Chambers and Daphné link doesn't work unfortunately...
BeantwoordenVerwijderenGreat list -
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI'm dying to hear the guy chambers sophie hunter collaboration but of course it is absolutely unavilable in the US!
The Camille album is fantatsic - i had my sister bring it back from France a while back.
I'm having a hell of a time getting Francoiz Breut's thrird album without paying crazy import prices. I'm a huge fan of her first two albums!
Since you are in europe and this release would be more readily available to you - it ain't out in the US yet (and I went to great lengths to get it)- I would highly recommend to you the Elysian Fields' latest Bum Raps and Love Taps - they are old friends of mine and I just think you would love their music! they are from NYC/DC in the US but have a sizeable following in your neck of the woods - frequent collaborators with JL Murat (Camille worked with himas well on the latest)- lead chanteuse Jennifer's voice and inflection and delivery can make a stone cold statue melt!
Alors, enjoyed your list keep up the site - i can't seem to be able to upload mp3s to my site (typepad) and could use your advice if you have the time!
Thanks Maks - fixed the bugs, all songs are downloadable now.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenSkunkeye: I know that Elysian Fields-record, Jennifer Charles featured on my site earlier (check archive, I posted songs with Murat) - I like her best when sings in French.
About uploading mp3's on your blog: you could start with yousendit-links (www.yousendit.com), or similar services.
I'll look up your Jennifer/Murat posts - seriously, you need to investigate and immerse yourself more into to the Elysian Fields catalogue. Of course ANYTHING sung in French sounds sexier!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAt anyrate here's an old post from me about the band -
http://skunkeye.blogs.com/skunkeye/2004/07/
I'm just happy for Oren and Jennifer that they are finding audiences in europe and want to spread the word about my friends!
Sept 28 post is about Jenny. Links are dead, ofcourse.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenGreat list! The Camile album is fantastic. What a voice! Thanks again for the mp3.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenPS.: do you know where I can find/buy more songs of "La Position du Tireur Couché? I loved the lyrics, they are hilarious.
@Bibi: The album of La Position... was released by Naive (same label as Carla Bruni), you can order it via Amazon.fr or Fnac.com.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenit's also available on iTunes USA, France, Holland and probably all iTunes stores.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAh! I love your blog. the whole idea behind it makes me very happy. Amsterdam, by the way, is set to be my future home. An apartment in the Spui! or a houseboat on one of the canals. I'm glad i found your page. i must go track down the harley davidson covers you mentioned!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenOn my list of favourite (filles sourires) albums of the year, Camille would lead by far...
BeantwoordenVerwijderenSomehow it seems I have totaly missed Clarika all these years. what a shame...
Thank you for that!
Merci Guuzbourg! :)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI found them on Amazon FR and iTunes as you said.
A big thank you for letting me discover some wonderful contemporary chanteuses these past months!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMy pleasure! You're not so bad yourself, Bruno ;-)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenexcellent choices,specially for the isis project. I heard "les heures où je m'éclipse" for the first time and I was absolutely charmed. that melody, that voice....Pity I have not heard the whole album yet.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAhh I almost forget, I've been hearing aurore Alifair and I must recognise her accent in the second song is pretty weird. well maybe it's not the accent but the anglo touch of coolness she gives to her words. Otherwise I'm pretty sure she's french.
BeantwoordenVerwijderen