Gorgeous young blonde Dutch girl who sings classic French chansons. You'd think I'd be over the moon, but Wende Snijders usually makes me go hmmmm. Yes, she can sing, and she owns the stage when she enlives (not just sings) songs made famous by Brel, Barbara and Piaf. But on cd, she takes her theatrics a little too far. The way she sings is extremely loud and incredibly close; she so in your face that you'd like her to take it down a notch or three. The emotions are so big, the words so deep and meaningful, it's almost like she's afraid the listener won't 'get it', that she underlines everything. Wende made two albums and a dvd, to critical acclaim in Holland. Big names give her big compliments. Sophomore release La Fille Noyée just came out, on which she sings a couple of Brel-tunes, some translated Kurt Weill and a few Dutch songs - the latter is a baaaaad idea. Imagine Piaf in Dutch.
But when Wende does take it down a notch or three, she's capable of moving you to tears. Listen to three examples, and let me know what YOU think. I'm especially curious what French people think of her.
Wende Snijders - Le Plat Pays
Wende Snijders - Dis, Quand Reviendras-tu?
Wende Snijders - La Fille Noyée
I do not know her other songs, but the ones you posted here sound very good. First, she has absolutely no accent, and her French pronunciation is more than perfect. Second, her voice is fantastic, deep and powerful, and the songs are very well arranged (the Barbara song is very moving). I'd like to hear sing duets with Charles Aznavour!!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMickey, the reason that she has her good French pronounciation is that she visited a French school from her 6th till her 9th in Guinee-Bissau, Africa. Her bio says: ''It's my childlanguage, the language you learn to write in and make friends with. Singing French chansons was not part of the way I was raised, my parents listened to classical music, but as I first sang 'La Foule' by Piaf I had the feeling I was on fire. (...) I choose French because I love the atmosphere of the music and the way French words sound like and I get touched by the lyrics.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenInterestingly enough, there are some French-speaking people (and I know them) that loathe the way Wende pronounces her French words. Can't really tell what's wrong with it, but apparently it's heavily accented.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhat do you think of Wende, Maks?
Thanks Maks for the information. And of course, thanks Guuzbourg. As I said, I didn't know this pretty lady at all. Yes, when you listen closely, there's a bit of an accent, but it's by no way "heavy". It could be considered as a charming "manierism" of sorts. And her voice is more listenable and enjoyable than, say, Linda Lemay's, for instance.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI'm still waiting for the Bonnie & Clyde compilation, it makes me drool in anticipation!!
What do I think of Wende? Coincidentally Mrs Maks came home with 'La Fille Noyee' yesterday as a surprise, but I'm afraid it didn't moved me to tears. Well, in a way it did, but not in the way Wende probably has ment it.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHer songs, or more precised, the way it is produced is also way too theatrical for me. But more important: I don't believe her as she sings, it's too academic. Her way of singing sometimes even reminds me of Mathilde Santings recent works (brrr). Her voice is too educated, too sophisticated almost. Too 'decent' to believe her as she's singing about how painful life can be. Best example of it is the (horrible) track with Dutch singer Huub van der Lubbe. From the first moment on as you hear him sing it seems clear to me what it is that Wende is missing: experience in life or at least the capabality of letting us believe that she really feels and means what she's singing.
Maybe it's better to see her live. I saw a few pieces of her DVD and that wasn't bad at all.
So I sincerely do hope I'm completely wrong, cause before listening her latest CD we allready had bought tickets for her show next weeks friday in Nijmegen...
/2 cents
I'm very ambiguous concerning Wende Snijders. I recognize her talent, she's a great singer and performer, which is nice...
BeantwoordenVerwijderenBeing familiar however with the original versions, I join the opinion of Maks that she is missing experience in life;
Barbara had her reasons to write a song like 'Dis, quand reviendra-tu' as she explains in her autobio, Wende is lacking the urge to sing it.
On the other hand, IMHO it's almost impossible to equal Barbara, Brel or any other 'Monstre Sacré' on their own terrain; and as much as I am an 'inconditionnel' of Barbara, I don't really like her singing Brassens and Brel, she is much more stronger in her own songs, that's where she's touching me. I guess what I'm saying is that I'd like to hear her sing something of her own, her own words, her own song, her own experience, not just some mediocre copy of a great song.
Concerning her accent, well, Guinee-Bissau is not exactly the Hexagone, as the Provence is not exactly la région Parisienne ;-)
Hmmm... Let's summarize what we know, shall we?. So, a female singer has decided to sing songs that she likes or even love, with her own sensitivity, feelings and, obviously, voice. Yes, that's what is usually called a cover. So, sue her!! She has no right to indulge in such a guilty pleasure, of course. This has been done by soooo many artists, covering soooo many songs. So, sue them all!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenOf course, Etienne Daho if a bilion miles away from Syd barrtt's mental background. But when he covers "Late Night", I love it. So, sue me too...
Wende is very good. She reminds me of the Dutch David Vos as far as intepretation is concerned, as they both get the message across with much emotion.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWende's phrasing - where she places the accent in words - is Dutch to me. Her vowels are perfect, but she doesn't pronounce consonants strongly enough. Nitpicking I guess.
BTW Linda Lemay is French Canadian, not French, and writes her owns songs and plays the guitar. Apples and oranges.
Yes Natasha, I was referring to a non-french female singer singing in French. And at that, I prefer Wende ;-); Otherwise, I share your point of view. Judging by the 3 songs posted here... well, I like her. Je persiste et signe!!!
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