FF in Time Out

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And don't forget, Peppermoon + Erica Buettner are playing the Maastricht Pesthuys on Saturday November 15, with yours truly dj-ing. Details here.

Anne Pigalle

'A unique, unknown voice, another left turn in an already surreal variety act, getting the best sutdio and production in the world, and all the world as a stage. Once described als if Edith Piaf walked in to the Star Wars bar at Mos Eisley spaceport, Pigalle left ZTT after her first album, headed to LA to work in film, and lives and works in London as a singer, performer and an artist.' This mini-bio was taken from the booklet by the just-released Zang Tumb Tuum Box Set (3cd's, 1 dvd) compiling the legacy of the label that brought us Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Propaganda, Seal, 808State and Art of Noise. And Anne Pigalle, a name that rang a very small bell when she was first mentioned during an interview I had with Stephen Emmer. I checked out several recordings, the nicest being the part French/part English Why does it have to be this way?, released in 1985. See a very 80s video here.

Anne Pigalle - Why Does It Have to be This Way?

Gainsbourg film, cd review

Not everyone is looking forward to the upcoming Gainsbourg-biopic. This Guardian-columnist has a few points, but let's judge until we've actually seen it, aiight?

I am very happy with this ****-review of Filles Fragiles in Dutch daily Het Parool, written by Peter van Brummelen. See right, click to enlarge.

Translation:

Does anyone in France know that a guy who calls himself DJ Guuzbourg is doing for the promotion of French pop in Holland? About time that some French bigshot offers him a big medal at the Amsterdam Maison Descartes for his good work.
Guuzbourg is the one who introduced us to 'zuchtmeisjes', typical French female singers who sigh in a seductive way, but who also whisper beautifully, moan and groan. American singers belt, their French couterparts are keeping it small. The erotic effects are grand.
On Filles Fragiles #2, Guuzbourg let's us indulge in his harem featuring Vanessa Paradis, Carla Bruni (yep, that one), that we 'cheeseheads' know too. The rest is fairly unknown, but sound just as good.
FF#1 learned us that 'zuchtmeisjes' can come from everywhere, not just France. Even in the Dutch polder you'll find some. For instance, Amsterdam's own Leine is joining her French nieces, but the real surprise is L'Anamour from a 1970 album by Liesbeth List. Guuzbourg found this gem on a German vinyl album, and it sounds like it was produced by Gainsbourg himself.

Wouter, Eugene and Mordi were also very, very kind.
And whaddabout this review from Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad (on the left) ?

Anais

A look at the cover again: yes, this must be the same Anais who rocked her audiences with Mon Coeur, Mon Amour. Who parodied Carla Bruni. But The Love Album is something else. Softer, sweeter, more girlie. Produced by Dan the Automator, and with help from American musicians, the music has some latin and Caribbean accents. The atmosphere is more in the vein of the first Camille album. Great songs, very good album. One of the highlights of this year.

Anais - Si J'avais Su Que Notre Amour

Lola Dutronic

Out now: In Berlin, the new (third) album by Lola Dutronic. And the first album of new singer Lola Dee, who is from Berlin. Richard Citroen (the Canadian half of LD) is ofcourse still on board. Lola has a dreamy, super-husky voice that is excellent for the seductive, danceable music of Lola Dutronic. It was recorded in Berlin apartments, and some tracks feature Mike Garson on piano - the guy who plays the piano-solo on Bowie's Alladin Sane. He's also behind the keys on this LD track.

Lola Dutronic - Au Revoir

The Lovers

Everytime I see Marion from The Lovers, I go weak in the knees. Fortunately, I saw her a couple of times the last year, and she was always wearing a very sex red corset. Ofcourse I know she's happy with Fred de Fred (as I am very happy with my own fille fragile), but still. What a woman. And what a band - all of you who did not turn up a few weeks ago for the concert in Amsterdam, you missed one heck of a show. This picture on the right (by Igor F) says it all. Marion is posing wearing nothing more then stockings and a girdle on the cover of the new Lovers-cd, Pardon My French. It features the funny, cheeky songs we all know and love, plus the gorgeous ballade Reverie de Lolita, also featured on Filles Fragiles 2. Near the end they do a very sultry version of a song by The Cure. It reminds me of Nouvelle Vague, only steamier.

The Lovers - The Lovecats
the Cure - The Lovecats

Vanessa Philippe

Idea for a new mix: only tracks by singers named Vanessa. Like Vanessa Paradis, Vanessa Contenay-Quinones, Vanessa Chassaigne. And Vanessa Philippe. Discovered by Maks, this very hotlipped beauty entered a couple of talent shows, had tracks on several comps and now releases an album: La Derive. She likes rock, folk and ballads, and has a very soothing, pleasant voice. See a shaky video of the track below here. Other videos here.

Vanessa Philippe - Hirondelles