Cool and HipBenabar is cool and très français...this young man
(real name Bruno) may be the
heir apparent to Brel, Brassens and Aznavour. Merci, Gwenael, for
introducing us to him with the self-titled CD (unfortunately only available
in France at the moment). His whiskey-voice, clever lyrics, and
cabaret-style music make for a great combination.
Les
Risques Du Metier appears to be just as good, and available as an
import in the US and Canada.
Sympathique
by Pink Martini... a huge hit here in France, although the
artists are from Seattle! Je ne veux pas travailler...and you often
hear people crooning or whistling the title track as you wander about.
Chambre Avec Vue
featuring Henri Salvador, another octogenarian French chanteur, has been around
forever but is enjoying tremendous success with his latest album. Recent
winner of the French version of the Grammies, his music is jazz, blues and
the Mediterranean sea combined!
Coralie Clément, a young up-and-comer in France, sounds like a
female Henri Salvador -- jazzy, kittenish, French sexy. Have a listen to her
new CD, Salle Des Pas Perdus.
Holiday
Noel!
Noel! French Christmas Music
features 32 tracks, performed by the Boston Camerata dn the Boston Shawn
and Sackbut Ensemble...a collection of clear voices, period instruments,
and a mix of Christmas of previous centuries (including Gregorian chant,
works by Beauvais).
Collections
Putumayo's
French Cafe
includes performances by renowned French '60s icons like Serge Gainsbourg, Georges Brassens, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin and Barbara,
and contemporary musicians who have been adding new energy, such as
Paris Combo, Enzo Enzo, and Baguette Quartette. A great mix of old and new!
Cafe
Parisien: Chansons, Accordions, Croissants has it
all...including Piaf, Gabin, et l'esprit
de la belle France!
All The Best
From France: 40 French... Standard fare, but features the greats -- songs & singers.
Paris After
Dark One of the best collections, with great liner notes.
Cafe De Paris
1930-41: 18 Accordion... What's French music without the accordion? (best not answered)
Volare! - The Very Best Of The Gipsy Kings
is a collection of music from these Southern boys...southern France,
northern Spain.
Chanteuses
Edith Piaf, Nana Mouskouri, Josephine Baker, Mistinguett, Mireille
Mathieu, and how about Mireille Mathieu singing tribute to Edith Piaf in Chante
Piaf!
Josephine Baker left St. Louis and the US as a young woman to make a name for herself on
the Paris stage. A roaring success, she lived the rest of her life there and became a national
treasure. In the early 1970s she bought a castle in the Dordogne and tried to create a
home for unwanted children, much to the dismay of the locals. Controversy
swirled around her all her large life, but the brilliance of her performances was
never questioned. J'ai Deux Amours
is an incredible collection of some of her best songs from the 1930s.
Vieilles Chanson De France
is a warm collection of French songs sung by Nana Mouskouri, whose
soft voice does justice to these standards. Besides, she's one of the few
singers who wears Buddy-Holly-style glasses on stage and makes it work!
Tour
De Charme, from Patricia Kaas, one of France's newest chanteuses
(although she's from Eastern Europe originally) has been at the top of the
charts here in France.
Chanteurs
Maurice Chevalier, Charles Trenet, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, Tino
Rossi, Yves Montand...they're all crooning for you!
Aznavour 2000 is the latest from the man, who is on tour throughout France
in spite of his 78 years young! It's Aznavour, what can you say?
Jazz & Such
Le Quintette
Du Hot Club De France , featuring Django
Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli
Paris
Midnight: 50 French Hits by Liane & the Bohème Bar
Trio, who do a mighty nice job on some French standards.
Paris Combo
is an interesting French group who mix Dan Hicks and who knows what all
else...you have to listen to a few samples on amazon to get a feel for
this wacky and wonderful combo.
Soundtracks
Man & A
Woman (Master) soundtrack (laah, daah, daah ...
la-da-da-da-da ... la-da-da-da-da ... laah, daah, daah ... la-da-da-da-da
... la-da-da-da-da ...)
French Kiss:
Original Motion Picture... this soundtrack is chock full of great music from
Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald to Charles Trenet to Tino Rossi, even
Van Morrison...and don't miss Kevin Kline singing Trenet's La Mer (that
Bobby Darrin sang as Somewhere Beyond the Sea). One of our all-time
favorites.
