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>