La tournée historique (Live à l'Accor Arena, 2023)
Michel Polnareff
French Music - Released November 24, 2023 | Parlophone (France)
Comment te dire adieu
Françoise Hardy
French Music - Released September 23, 2016 | Parlophone (France)
This may not rate as highly as her best mid-'60s recordings, which are less MOR-oriented. That stated, it's about as good as late-'60s MOR Continental pop gets, with tastefully imaginative orchestration, strong melodies, and sexy vocals. It's perhaps even sadder and more sentimental than was the norm for Francoise--she perpetually seems to be singing as though she's gazing out of a deserted chateau on a rainy afternoon. She largely forsakes original material here (although a couple cuts bear her writing credit), and offers fine, haunting French interpretations of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," and Phil Ochs' "There But for Fortune," and Ricky Nelson's "Lonesome Town."© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
Grand Prix
Benjamin Biolay
French Music - Released June 26, 2020 | Polydor
France's Benjamin Biolay left behind his provocative Buenos Aires cycle after two acclaimed albums, Palermo Hollywood in 2016 and the platinum-certified Volver in 2017). Grand Prix is nostalgic and unquestionably autobiographical. Its title references Formula 1 racing's excitement, drama, heroes, and tragedies. "Grand Prize" artfully contrasts racing with his own life experiences and the sacrifices he's made in pursuit of art. Of course his romantic life plays a major part: Ex-wife Chiara Mastroianni makes two guest appearances, former lover Keren Ann makes another, and current girlfriend, actress Anaïs Demoustier, assists on two others. The younger Biolay loved the Smiths, Happy Mondays, New Order, and the Strokes and he pays homage to them all and more, with a small band, analog synths, complete guitar and drum takes, and live vocals in songs that caress elements of Krautrock, post-punk, Brit-and electro-pop, Euro-disco, chanson, and MPB. Single "Comment Est Ta Peine," with Demoustier, opens with a disco-phonic synth similar to Daft Punk's "Get Lucky." However, the organic drums, sharp, funky guitars, and rigid bassline are adamantly rockist. Biolay's lyrics enquire about his lover's existential pain, contrasting it egotistically and ironically with his own. Mastroianni appears on the poignant yet hooky "Visage Pâle," where Biolay claims with too much protestation that "I have less appetite than sincerity/Love has a price that I can no longer pay…." On "Comme Une Voiture Volée," guitars ring with longing and excitement (think M83!) as drums and swirling synths propel the mix up and out. His lyrics offer only longing: "My heart is like an old engine when you lift the bonnet. You're as beautiful as a stolen car.…" The chanson ballad "Vendredi 12" questions a lost lover's memories while betraying the depths of his own abjection and loneliness. The title track is introduced by a nostalgic organ and distinctly "French rock" dancefloor beat. It's an uptempo elegy for Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi, who died from his racing injuries at age 24. For "Papillon Noir," with Demoustier, he channels New Order's dancefloor rock beautifully. Again, despite the joy in the mix, his lyrics are resigned to always being in a temporary place when it comes to love: "I am an evening visitor, I am the vestiges of the dark sun/I am the night watchman, I am the bizarre boy...who has nothing to do/I am your only alibi, your temporary libido…." Closer "Interlagos (Saudade)" touches on the 1994 death of Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senn, then revels in Biolay's own tears, joys, and small victories; it's a dreamy lament, complete with choirs, strings, and shuffling percussion, elevated by the presence of his daughter Anna (credited as "Bambi") on backing vocals. Ultimately, Grand Prix is Biolay's finest album since 2009's La Superbe, if not his best overall, and is easily his most revealing and vulnerable. No longer the enfant terrible of modern chanson, the singer, songwriter, and producer is now one of France's most evocative -- and necessary -- artists.© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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Lucile Richardot
Mélodies - Released February 24, 2023 | harmonia mundi
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Le Grand Orchestre Du Splendid
French Music - Released January 1, 2002 | Sterne
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Carla Bruni
French Music - Released October 9, 2020 | Universal Music Division Barclay
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Jacques Brel
French Music - Released October 20, 2023 | Diggers Factory
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Gauvain Sers
French Music - Released March 29, 2019 | Universal Music Division Barclay
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Orfeo Orchestra
Opera - Released October 20, 2023 | Glossa
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Christophe Rousset
Full Operas - Released January 25, 2011 | Aparté
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Jacques Brel
French Music - Released January 1, 1988 | Universal Music Division Barclay
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Pop - Released December 8, 2017 | Universal Music Division Barclay
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Michel Polnareff
Pop - Released January 1, 1971 | Universal Music Division Barclay
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Sabine Devieilhe
Opera - Released October 28, 2013 | Warner Classics International
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Frehel
French Music - Released March 20, 2020 | Master Tape Records
Mistigri Torture
Mickey 3d
Rock - Released January 1, 1999 | Parlophone (France)
Rameau : Le Grand Théâtre de l'amour
Sabine Devieilhe/Les Ambassadeurs
Opera - Released October 28, 2013 | Warner Classics International
Funambule
Grand Corps Malade
French Music - Released October 3, 2013 | Universal Music Division Virgin Music Distribution Deal