A new generation of French songwriters which grew up on New Wave, Electronica and British pop, has re-discovered the pleasures of writing French chanson. They draw from their cosmopolitan taste and usually update the genre, but they also remain faithful to the tradition of mixing sexy and literate lyrics which was exemplified by Serge Gainsbourg. All five artists on this compilation were invited to perform in New York in conjunction with a Matisse exhibit and all five identify with the painter's mixture of modern invention and classic taste. Most have collaborated with established artists and producers such as Senor Coconut, Calexico and Seb Martel.
Tracklisting:
Dans La Glace"--Holden
France Culture"--Arnaud Fleurent-Didier
Fenetre a Collioure"--Fredda
It's Love"--Marianne Dissard
Nefertiti"--Pascal Parisot
Madrid"--Holden
Les Draps Sourds"--Marianne Dissard
Mon Disque Dort"--Arnaud Fleurent-Didier
More About The Artists:
Holden's sound, which is indebted to their producer Atom Heart (AKA Señor Coconut) draws from influences as varied as bossa nova, yé-yé, film scores, and electronic music. The blend suggests the lighthearted pleasantness of a 1960s spy film soundtrack laced with the rigor of minimalism and touches of electronica.
Pascal Parisot--Mixes classic French chanson, Latin beats, and Brazilian harmony. The witty and literate lyrics position him as an heir to Serge Gainsbourg, but his quirky sound, heavy on vintage keyboards and canned cha-cha beats, is entirely his own.
Fredda--Parisot's frequent collaborator and singer scores the only track actually about Matisse, produced by the ubiquitous Seb Martel (Selif Keita, Camille Howard, Las Ondas Marteles)
Arnaud Fleurent-Didier--His aesthetic owes much to Michel Legrand, the orchestral experimentation of Serge Gainsbourg and the instrumental music of the band Air (with which he has performed). France-Culture," has become a radio hit in France as well as a bit of a polarizing manifesto. His lyrics are a bridge to pre-1968 preoccupations and reminiscent of the dialogues of early Eric Rohmer movies.
Marianne Dissard--Based in Tucson, Arizona, Marianne's chansons have a strong Americana flavor. Her last album, L'Entredeux, was co-written and produced by Joey Burns (of Calexico) and mix her visceral delivery with moody musical backdrops.
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