French music
 

I'd like some ideas for some french music to listen to before my trip to Paris this spring? Any suggestions- new artists or old?

Hi Carla<BR><BR>I hope you enjoy your trip. I do not know what type of music you like but here are a few that I like.<BR>Dalida<BR>Vanessa Paradis<BR>Etienne Daho (even though he was more 80's) <BR>Edith Piaf is very famous<BR>Malcom McLaren (sp?) put out an album in about 95 or so called "Paris" - I highly recommend that one<BR>FNAC is a music store in Paris and they do have a website. http://www.fnac.com<BR>You can listen to clips on there and it might help you to decide what you want.<BR>

I bought Piaf,Serge Gainsbourough,<BR>and Yves Montand--a right strange mix, but very French:) c

Hi Carla. Here's one you might find interesting: Pop Romantique: French Pop Classics. <BR><BR>http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Argd9kebt0q7z<BR><BR>And this isn't French music, per se (although there is a cover Serge Gainsbourg's infamous "Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus") but, rather Malcolm McLaren's "love letter" to the City of Light, and it's one of my favorite albums, extremely evocative. McLaren -- former manager of the Sex Pistols -- first visited Paris as a teenager and always wanted to pay musical tribute to a city he found fascinating. <BR><BR>Check out the All Music Guide link below for the songs and wonderful cover photo, but don't pay attention to Stephen Thomas Erlewhine's review. He's right in that this album is a "love letter", but he's dead wrong in that it's "pretentious and insufferable." Instead, for a review, read Ali Sinclair's review at the second link below. <BR><BR>http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Aqif1zfo8eh6k<BR><BR>http://www.westnet.com/consumable/19.../revmalco.html

No one has mentioned the favorite of the French , the very late, George Bressens.

I know this sounds silly but at Williams Sonoma they have CD's and I picked up one that is all french music for my mom. I think I'm going to have to get one for my self because it is such a great mix of french jazz, blues and big band.

Another thought. I've seen this band at WOMAD, here in Seattle, twice and loved them. They're called Lo' Jo and they're led by an enigmatic keyboard player, Denis P&eacute;an (the guy in the hat) and two sisters of Algerian descent, Nadia Nid El Mourid & Yamina Nid El Mourid. <BR><BR>http://www.lojo.org/news/index.htm

Patricia Kaas <BR>Yves Duteil<BR>Georges Moustaki<BR>Charles Trenet

Django Rhinehardt with or without The Hot Club de France and with or without Stephane Grapelli

You have to try my all time favorite: Charles Aznavour. And France's answer to Elvis: Johnny Halyday. He has a great website too.

Maybe a tribute to Gilbert B&eacute;caud, who passed away recently ... <BR>You find the lyrics and music (WMA & MIDI) on http://www.miditext.com/Auteurs/5875.htm

French artists who made most money in 2001:<BR>- Myl&egrave;ne Farmer<BR>- Patrick Bruel<BR>- Jean-Jacques Goldman<BR><BR>Other artists below retirement age:<BR>- Alain Souchon<BR>- Julien Clerc<BR>- Zazie<BR>- Laurent Voulzy<BR>- Noir D&eacute;sir<BR>- MC Solaar<BR>- Lara Fabian<BR>- Patricia Kaas<BR>- Garou<BR>- les 10 commandements (musical)<BR>- Rom&eacute;o et Juliette (musical)<BR>

If you get a chance listen to the French early baroque masters. Lully, de Lalande, and MA Charpentier were all composers in the court of Louis XIV during his very long reign. Particular titles of interest would be 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' by Lully and the 'Te Deum' of Charpentier.<BR><BR>When in Paris between May and October you can actually hear these works played while the fountains of Versailles are on each Sunday.<BR><BR>A great movie to get the feel of French court life and baroque music (particularly opera and dance) is 'Le Roi Danse'. a biography of Lully (who was actually an Italian who was imported to France by Louis XIV). Lully invented the genre of French opera that we so often associate with Versailles and France while he was the court composer.

A couple more...<BR><BR>Isabelle Boulay (really Quebecoise but sings sans accent)<BR><BR>Pascal Obispo<BR>Florent Pagny<BR>Laam<BR>Assia<BR><BR>I know he's been mentioned but GAROU!!!!<BR><BR>And then there is always "Star Academy" a musical version of the US Survivor (tv show, not the group).<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Joey Starr!!

France's version of Wayne Newton is Henri Salvador. He's really in right now.

My favorite is Patrick Bruel. I love his albums "Alors Regarde" and "Bruel". Also, MC Solaar ("Prose Combat").

Restoration Hardware also has a French music CD--and it's on sale. I just bought one. Go to www.restorationhardware.com

Do you like french Canadian music? I love Bruno Pelletier ( one of his albums is live from Notre Dame), Daniel Lanois (wonderful voice and poetic words also producer of U2 music), Daniel Lavois, Lynda Lemay (very relaxing great voice!), and Kevin Parent (more like rock has a nice deep sexy voice). There is also a wonderful album I think it is called Pour Pour. My friend gave me a copy of it from Montreal. It is instrumental with a Cirque du Soleil feel. It is very cheerful and magical. It makes me happy and inspired every time I listen to it. I also enjoy music by Edith Piaf especially en vie en rose. Music is a big passion of mine. I am going to Paris for two and a half weeks in the middle of February.

Hi,<BR>I'm French and these are my favourite singers (and according to me the most representative of french music)<BR>Serge Gainsbourg<BR>Charles Aznavour<BR>Vanessa Paradis<BR>Jacques Brel<BR>Georges Brassens<BR>Patricia Kaas<BR>Marc Lavoine<BR>MC Solaar<BR>and Yannick Noah (the tennis player) who has just made a great album.

anyone ever hear of<BR><BR>Manu Chao<BR><BR>Noir Desir<BR><BR>Galleon?

Thanks Dave, I mispelled<BR>Georges Brassens.

Hi Carla,<BR><BR>I think you'll find that French music is like American music -- there are several varieties, from pop to jazz to techno to classical and much more!<BR><BR>I was just at FNAC a couple of days ago in Paris, and here's what I bought:<BR><BR>Dani (a female singer who apparently was big in the 1960s -- I like her style!)<BR><BR>Obispo (I have several of his albums; he's very soft rock)<BR><BR>Claude Nougaro<BR><BR>Benabar (I saw him in concert last year -- magnificent! Kind of pop/jazz)<BR><BR>Calogero (kind of soft rock a bit)<BR><BR>Serge Gainsbourg (simply a classic; he's a genius)<BR><BR>Louis Chedid (one of my favorite ever! Often romantic)<BR><BR>de Palmas (soft, almost folk-like)<BR><BR>Coralie Cl&eacute;ment (very delicate high-pitched voice in a soft rock)<BR><BR>Jenifer (again, almost a soft rock)<BR><BR>Jennifer (with two "n"s!)<BR>

I can't believe that I never saw this thread when it was fresh.<BR><BR>But anyhow...<BR><BR>Francis Cabrel<BR>Moos<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Stereolab? There on the soundtrack to "Hi Fidelity" with John Cusack. They've been around for a while, since the '90's or before?<BR><BR>Here's a descriptor for them: "Indie Pop, Ambient Pop, Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock/Experimental, Alternative Pop/Rock".<BR><BR>They're pretty cool and VERY experimental. I like a lot!

Nicole Croisille, contemporary chanteuse, but reminiscent of an earlier time. Don't know if available here in USA; bought in FNAC in France.

Hotel Costes 1-4, mixed by DJ Stephane Pompougnac. Each one is different--and in my opinion, they are all really good. I guess I would describe them as pop-techno, with a little bit of hip- hop and classics mixed in. Give them a try!

speaking French music, does any one recall the name of a song from years ago, that had the words: rat-tat-tat? It has been driving me crazy that I don't know the title or most of the words.please help if yo know. Thanks.

Jennifer -- Dani?! What a name from the past! Of that era, Carla, you might like Francoise Hardy (easy to understand lyrics -- has a good website with music); and my personal '70's favorite, the king of Celtic Rock, Alan Stivell.

Does anyone remember Mirelle Mateau (sp?)? She was very famous in the 70's.

topping

Do you mean Mirelle Mathieu? I have her recording of Paid songs and LOVE it!<BR><BR>A recent recommendation is "Entre Deux" with Patrick Bruel and others. It's a play on words -- the songs are all from between the 2 world wars and a number of them are duets. It comes with the words for those of us who use recordings to spruce up our French.<BR><BR>I'd also like to heartily recommend Dalida -- I discovered her through Michael Osman and have been delighted. She's "just" a pop singer -- but oh wow! Her voice is gorgeous and her range from silly to sublime is incredible.<BR><BR>Mt latest "kick" Is the Algerian-French form known as Rai. There is a 2 disk album titled "1,2,3 Soleils" featuring Kahled, Faudel and one other whose name escapes me. A lot is in French as well as Arabic. My "fave" is the last song on the second disk -- "Comme Habitude" - you haven't lived until you have heard Frank Sinatra's "My Way" sung en fran&ccedil;ais :)

I'm probably Daniel Lanois' biggest fan. But I wouldn't buy his albums in search of French music. There are only two or three songs in French, the rest are English.

Have to add GAROU from Montreal with his hit album SEUL. His music video is always played on the channels throughout Europe.

ARLETTE...Re: the song lyrics, 'rat tat tat' etc... I think I know the song you mean! It is from the 70's if I remember correctly! they kind of sung in harmony didnt they? did it go like this...<BR><BR>CHANSON D'AMOUR<BR>Art and Dotty Todd<BR>Words and music by Wayne Shanklin<BR><BR>Chanson d'amour, ra da da da da, play encore<BR>Here in my heart, ra da da da da, more and more<BR>Chanson d'amour, ra da da da da, I adore<BR>Each time I hear, ra da da da da, chanson d'amour<BR><BR>MUSICAL INTERLUDE<BR><BR>Chanson d'amour, ra da da da da, I adore<BR>Each time I hear, ra da da da da, chanson d'amour<BR>Everytime I hear, chanson, chanson d'amour<BR><BR><BR>

Many of the most popular singer in France are actually from Qu&eacute;bec:<BR>Lynda Lemay, Isabelle Boulay, France D'Amours, Garou, Sylvain Cossette, Daniel Lavoie, Roch Voisine, C&eacute;line Dion (yes, her albums in French are much better).

Arlette - just remembered the group was called Manhattan Transfer (took me ages to remember that! :) )

Paris Combo! I saw them a few months ago they are the real deal - French cabaret jazz with a little Gypsy thrown in. They have at least 2 cd's out.

Paris Combo just played here where I live recently (Wash DC) or are soon, I forget, I have one of their CDs, although I like Les Nubians better.<BR><BR>Is Celine Dion really popular in France? I wouldn't think she'd be that popular with young people as I think of her as older-generation, easy-listening Las-Vegasy stuff. I heard one of her albums in French and didn't much care for it, but I don't like that kind of pop music much, nor her singing or style, so that's just personal. I guess she's sold a lot of records.<BR><BR>My favorite male singers are probably Renaud and Cabrel. For French Canadians, I do really like the McGarrigle sisters when they sing in French ("French Record" is a good album). I also like Stephan Eicher who sings in French, German and English (I think he may be Swiss, not sure), and for oldtimers I like Barbara, Aznavour and Georges Moustaki.

M C SOLAAAARRRR!<BR><BR>(sorry, I can't see his name in print without yelling it out a la "Stronger Than Dirt")<BR><BR>But what I really wanted to ask was, does anybody know of a kind of cheesy French song that lists the names of a lot of old rock-and-rollers (Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Buddy Holly). A woman sings it (in a rather flat, recitative tone), she lists their names and then, for the chorus she says the words "Rock and Roll". It's hysterical. We heard it a lot as we were driving through France in 2001. My husband's birthday is coming up--I'd love to give him a CD with this song on it. Thanks to anyone who can help!<BR><BR>