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Franco Chart-Toppers November 2004
Jean-Michel Jarre, A Breath of Fresh "Aero"
Paris
18/11/2004 -
80s electro icon Jean-Michel Jarre is no stranger to international chart success. But it is impressive that 25 years after his seminal début album Oxygène – which sold a staggering 15 million copies worldwide – the French star is still an international name. While sales have certainly dropped off since his Oxygène days, Jarre still retains a loyal following of fans around the world. Two months after its release, his latest album, Aero, is still hanging on in the charts in no less than twelve different European countries (ranking at no.48 in the U.K., no.57 in Germany, no.59 in Denmark, no.15 in Estonia, no.7 in Slovenia, no.60 in Spain, no.32 in Hungary, no.54 in Italy, no.45 in Poland, no.89 in Switzerland, no.33 in the Netherlands and no.15 in French-speaking Belgium). Meanwhile, a new vanguard of French electro stars have stepped in to take over from Jarre. The new movement, known as the "French Touch," took Anglo-Saxon countries by storm in the 90s, but little has been heard from the "French Touch" crew of late. Only two French representatives grace North America's electronic charts this month. Stéphane Pompougnac has reached no.12 with the 7th instalment of the Hôtel Costes series and hip Versailles duo Air rank at no.15 with their latest album, Talkie Walkie.
Besides electro hero Jarre, France's other export champions of the month have enjoyed considerable chart success, but this has largely been limited to French-speaking countries. On a positive note, a handful of new album releases have at least introduced a welcome injection of fresh blood. Since Marcher dans le sable in 2000 and his hit single J’en rêve encore, little had been heard from Gérald de Palmas. In fact, the singer had been busy writing material for other music stars (notably Marie for Johnny Hallyday). But now De Palmas has turned his attention to his own solo career once again with the release of a new studio album. Un homme sans racines is currently enjoying chart success in French-speaking Belgium (where it recently reached no.17 in Wallonia) and Switzerland (where it reached no.50).
Meanwhile, following hot on the heels of two best-selling albums, 'new French chanson' star Bénabar is back in the music news with a live album recorded on his latest tour. Bénabar's Live au Grand Rex recently climbed to the no.28 spot in the charts in Wallonia and no.45 in Switzerland. As for former 'Pop Idol' discovery, Chimène Badi, the young singer seems determined to carve out a place for herself on the export front as well as at home in France. Chimène's latest album, Dis-moi que tu m’aimes, is currently faring well in the charts in Wallonia (no.5) and Switzerland (no.35). Belgian 'chanteuse' Axelle Red scored only a minor hit with her last album, Face A/Face B,but she is now attempting to up her chart rating with a new release entitled French Soul. The album, which features a selection of Axelle's greatest hits and old favourites reworked in a sexy soul vein, has taken off in the singer's native Belgium where it has achieved the rare feat of going down equally well with French-speaking and Flemish-speaking fans. French Soul currently stands at no.16 in the charts in Flanders and no.15 in Wallonia.
Providing back-up support on the export front are a group of veteran French stars who have nothing more to prove in terms of reputation or record sales, a loyal following of their fans rushing out to buy each and every new release. Bernard Lavilliers is a case in point. Not content with hogging the number 1 spot in the French album charts, Lavilliers has also been making a big impact in other French-speaking countries with his latest album, Carnets de bord, which has swept to no.46 in the Swiss charts and no.34 in Wallonia. Meanwhile, 60s icon France Gall is currently back in the music news with a compilation of her greatest hits. The compilation, entitled Evidemment, currently stands at no.1 in Wallonia and no.32 in Switzerland. Twelve years after the untimely death of her real-life partner and official songwriter Michel Berger, Ms. Gall still refuses to envisage recording songs by other authors. A shame for fans awaiting new songs from their idol! William Sheller is another French star making a comeback on the recording front after many long years' absence. His newly-released album, Epures, broke into Switzerland’s Top 100 at no.76 this week.
But the big success story in terms of French export sales in November comes on two fronts: film soundtracks and albums associated with French musicals. Boosted by its incredible run at the box-office, Les Choristes – the most popular French film of the year – has found its success spilling over into the charts recently courtesy of the soundtrack album. The album is currently doing particularly well in the charts in Germany (no.48), Canada (no.20), Wallonia (no.25) and Switzerland (no.69). Yann Tiersen enjoyed similar success back in 2001 with the soundtrack he composed for Jean-Pierre Jeunet's hit film Amélie. And, strangely enough, the Amélie soundtrack is currently enjoying a revival in the Greek Top 50 (where it stands at no.43). Meanwhile, four years after its original creation, the French musical Roméo & Juliette is still winning fans in Hungary. The album from the musical has proved a big hit in Hungary since the spring of this year and is still hanging on at number 4 in the Hungarian charts.
We end our monthly chart round-up with a quick look at what is happening in the 'world music' export sector. And we find this largely dominated by Gotan Project. Philippe Cohen-Solal, the DJ from the popular electro-tango fusion outfit, has just released a mix entitled Inspiracion/Espiracion, which is currently doing well in the charts in Austria (no.51), Italy (no.29), Switzerland (no.90), Flanders (no.37) and Wallonia (no.97). However, the album does not appear to have echoed the success of the group's best-selling début album, La Revancha del Tango. Bringing up the rear on the 'world music' export front we find Cape Verde's "barefoot diva" Cesaria Evora (who recently climbed back up to no.44 in the Greek charts with her Best Of compilation released in 1999), Era (who have just broken into Switzerland's Top 100 at no.94 with their own greatest hits compilation) and Les Gipsy Kings (whose latest album, Roots, is still hanging on in the Top World Music chart in the U.S. at no.10).
That's all for now, music fans. We'll be back with a pre-Christmas chart round-up next month!
Gilles Rio
Translation : Julie Street
20/10/2004 -
