Something Kind Of French

I've just kicked off my music-related arthouse flick marathon with this bizarrely enchanting & entertaining animated movie, The Triples of Belleville, (also known as Belleville Rendez-vous, or in its sexy native tongue, Les Triplettes de Belleville). Currently on my list, I have La Vie En rose, those two Daft Punk feature films, Heima and then possibly Once. No, wait, come back! Don't worry, I'm not always this artsy-fartsy, offbeat 'indie' type! Just occasionally...Anyway, the movie brought me back to an old idea for a mix of mine, which is a collection of songs from various French chanteuse. Now when it comes to contemporary French music I'm just at the beginner level, but hopefully you find something nice to enjoy out of this mostly mellow mix.

(note: my monthly bandwidth limit is about to be crossed, so if the the first link doesn't work, try the alternate one)

Benoit Charest - Belleville Rendez-Vous (French Version) [alt. link]
Authentic retro.
Carla Bruni - Those Dancing Days Are Gone [alt. link]
Back then when I was listening to her album, never would I have imagined that the former supermodel could now become the present First Lady of France. C'est la vie.
Mareva Galanter - Bang Bang (Avec Jacno) [alt. link]
Also an ex-model. I like this version, particularly because of the music box.
Emilie Simon - Flowers (Acoustic) [alt. link]
I ought to give an extensive post for her someday. In the meantime, here's a rarity, which can only be found on the bonus cd of her debut album.
Air ft. Francoise Hardy - Jeanne [alt. link]
Francoise sings, so it counts.
Olivia Ruiz - La Femme Chocolat [alt. link]
This remains the only I've known of her, but it's really nice, and a bit quirky. And there's a ukelele.
April March - Laisse Tomber Les Filles [alt. link]
Known as 'Chick Habit' in English, featured in Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Great cover.
Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Songs That We Sing [alt. link]
Adore her. This mix can't be complete without her.
Nouvelle Vague - In A Manner Of Speaking [alt. link]
Ditto.


BONUSES: (because I'm kind like that)
Nouvelle Vague - Dance With Me (iTunes Live Session) [alt. link]
Nouvelle Vague's set to return this year with a new 80s-movie-themed album. Apparently, Skye Edwards of Morcheeba fame recorded vocals for 2 songs, titles of which I can't recall now, but it's bound to be great.

Yelle - A Cause Des Garcons [alt. link]
Not sure where to put this in the mix, so here it is. Catchy, fun French electropop. With an equally fun video (look it up). Fin.




What, what did you say? I forgot something? Silly, of course not. Nice day.

Oh, and if you haven't bookmared Filles Sourires, do so. It's my ultimate source for the latest happening in female French music.