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Clair Obscur

Françoise Hardy

French Music - Released May 1, 2000 | Parlophone (France)

Hardy's 1996 album, Le Danger, was not great, but it was a respectable and, more importantly, fairly hard-rocking effort that did much to restore her credibility after a very desultory output in the 1980s. Her follow-up, 2000's Clair Obscur, unfortunately erases a good deal of the ground she regained with her previous record. It is, at least, not nearly as over-produced or bathed in mediocre period-pop production as her 1980s releases were, and her voice remains in astonishingly good shape. It is, however, mostly devoted to genteel, sentimental pop songs that bounce by amiably, but don't penetrate or inspire, either melodically or vocally. At times these sound like soundtrack pieces from the kind of French movies that make it to the arthouse circuit not because they're good, but because they're French and sentimental. Four duets are included, among them tracks on which she sings with fellow French stars Jacques Dutronc and Etienne Daho, the latter of those being an English-language cover of the Everly Brothers' "So Sad." More surprisingly, "I'll Be Seeing You" is a duet with Iggy Pop, though those expecting a rock-fest will be disappointed, as it's a lightweight -- "bouncy" is again the unavoidable adjective -- interpretation of the ancient pop standard, with an uncharacteristically reserved, straight vocal from the Igster. The more haunted and sad the tunes are, the better, as proven by "La Verite Des Choses" and "Contre Vents et Marees," but those songs aren't good enough to redeem the album.© Richie Unterberger /TiVo

MANSETLANDIA - Y'a une route

Manset

French Music - Released January 1, 1975 | Parlophone (France)

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Le temps des souvenirs

Françoise Hardy

French Music - Released November 21, 2005 | Parlophone (France)

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"Voyage en France"

Alexandre Tharaud

Classical - Released August 16, 2011 | harmonia mundi

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Recreation

Florent Pagny

Pop - Released November 1, 1999 | Universal Music Division Capitol Music France

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Stockholm

Jean-Louis Aubert

French Music - Released May 1, 1997 | Parlophone (France)

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Tour 09

Julien Clerc

French Music - Released November 27, 2009 | Parlophone (France)

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J'En Ai Marre D'Etre Deux

Mathieu Boogaerts

French Music - Released January 1, 1998 | Universal Music Division Capitol Music France

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Bazar Savant

Lojo

World - Released January 1, 2005 | Universal Music Division Capitol Music France

Voyage en Italie

21 Juin Le Duo

French Music - Released July 2, 2021 | Parlophone (France)

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Moon Safari

Air

Electronic - Released January 19, 1997 | Parlophone (France)

Distinctions The Qobuz Ideal Discography
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Although electronica had its fair share of chillout classics prior to the debut of Air, the lion's share were either stark techno (Warp) or sample-laden trip-hop (Mo' Wax). But while Air had certainly bought records and gear based on the artists that had influenced them, they didn't just regurgitate (or sample) them; they learned from them, digesting their lessons in a way that gave them new paths to follow. They were musicians in a producer's world, and while no one could ever accuse their music of being danceable, it delivered the emotional power of great dance music even while pushing the barriers of what "electronica" could or should sound like. (Never again would Saint Etienne be the only band of a certain age to reveal their fondness for Burt Bacharach.) The Modulor EP had displayed astonishing powers of mood and texture, but it was Air's full-length debut, Moon Safari, that proved they could also write accessible pop songs like "Sexy Boy" and "Kelly Watch the Stars." But it wasn't all pop. The opener, "La Femme d'Argent," was an otherworldly beginning, with a slinky bassline evoking Serge Gainsbourg's Histoire de Melody Nelson and a slow glide through seven minutes of growing bliss (plus a wonderful keyboard solo). The vocoderized "Remember" relaunched a wave of robot pop that hadn't been heard in almost 20 years, and the solos for harmonica and French horn on "Ce Matin La" made the Bacharach comparisons direct. Unlike most electronica producers, Air had musical ideas that stretched beyond samplers or keyboards, and Moon Safari found those ideas wrapped up in music that was engaging, warm, and irresistible.© John Bush /TiVo
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Glass: Cocteau Trilogy

Katia Labèque

Classical - Released February 23, 2024 | Universal Music Division Decca Records France

Hi-Res Booklet Distinctions Qobuz Album of the Week
Philip Glass' three operas based on films by Jean Cocteau, inspired by the composer's youthful experiences in Paris, are among his most variegated works and perhaps among the ones most likely to win over those unpersuaded by the composer. This release took shape as Katia and Marielle Labèque performed concerts devoted to two-piano arrangements of numbers from these operas in 2020 and 2023; the arrangements are by Glass colleague Michael Riesman. Many recordings of Glass have come from his own orbit, but this one, released by the Deutsche Grammophon label and a presence on classical best-seller charts in early 2024, shows the value in opening up the field. The Labèques bring a fluent but lively quality to the music that illuminates the material out of which the operas are woven. Sample the ragtime-like opening, "Le café," from Act I at the beginning. Elsewhere, one hears echoes of Gluck, Bach, and more, all superimposed on Glass' characteristic repeating patterns. The durable popularity of Katia and Marielle Labèque, still at the top of the duo piano heap, is remarkable, and it has occurred in part because the sisters are unafraid to take on new repertory. Here, they have done a spectacular job.© James Manheim /TiVo

Françoise

Françoise Hardy

French Music - Released January 1, 1966 | Parlophone (France)

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The Best of Voyage

Voyage

Disco - Released January 1, 1989 | BMG Rights Mgmt France SARL

Since Voyage didn't make many records, it's interesting to see a compilation. But the French Eurodisco and dance-pop group did have some interesting singles in the late '70s, especially for those who favor production, beats, and style over substance and vocal identity.© Ron Wynn /TiVo
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Born Rocker Tour

Johnny Hallyday

French Music - Released November 25, 2013 | Warner (France)

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Voyage

Voyage

Disco - Released January 1, 1977 | BMG Rights Mgmt France SARL

In Between

Erik Truffaz

Jazz - Released October 29, 2010 | Parlophone (France)

Distinctions 4F de Télérama - Choc Jazzman
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Ma chère et tendre

Henri Salvador

French Music - Released October 1, 2003 | Parlophone (France)

Henri Salvador has the patina of a truly seasoned musician. His soft earthy voice shimmers like silky drops in the tropical sun. His placid sensual vocals put the listener at ease from the downbeat. In this finely crafted work, he continues in the same pleasurable vein, a mélange of jazz, tropical, and pop threads. He moves seamlessly from one style to another, as if he has done so for centuries. In some of his earlier albums, his songs contained more humorous rowdiness. However, the wizened maestro found jazz a few decades ago and his career underwent a rebirth. The sense of humor is still there, but now there are the beautifully simple melodies over percolating tropical rhythms infused with tight jazz arrangements. Some of the songs were penned by the very gifted Keren Ann Zeidel, who wrote some tracks on his Chambre avec Vue. The nonchalant expertise here makes for a fine album to be enjoyed with champagne and a lovely companion. Highly recommended.© Mark Romano /TiVo
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N° 7

Julien Clerc

French Music - Released January 1, 1975 | Parlophone (France)

1977-1982

Marie Laforêt

French Music - Released March 19, 2020 | Universal Music Division Label Panthéon

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