French Music Seen From Abroad January 2008

First Lady ‘Chanteuses’

Paris 

11/01/2008 - 

Could we soon see a singer ensconced in the presidential palace in France? That’s the question on everyone’s lips right now as songstress Carla Bruni continues her much-reported romance with French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Meanwhile, a number of other Francophone ‘chanteuses’ including Vanessa Paradis, Keren Ann, Céline Dion and Alizée have been plying their charms abroad.

As a former top model turned best-selling ‘chanteuse’, Carla Bruni has always been in and out of the headlines. But Ms. Bruni’s on-going romance with President Sarkozy has catapulted her to front page news around the world - and not just in celebrity gossip mags! Having "fallen in love at first sight" (Time Magazine, U.S., 22/12) and whisked Carla off on a whirlwind "Egyptian romance" (Sky News, U.K., 25/12), "Sarkozy could have his sights set on marriage again" according to the Turkish Daily News (7/1). "Will Carla Bruni dedicate a love song to Sarkozy?" wonders one wry journalist from People Magazine (U.S., 2/1). Meanwhile, as the world waits for presidential wedding bells to chime, other French ‘chanteuses’ have been busy staking their claims for ‘first lady’ status abroad.

Céline Dion may be the undisputed queen of Francophone music worldwide, but it was in English that she "said goodbye to Las Vegas" (Correo, Peru, 16/12). After five years headlining at Caesar’s Palace - where she performed "over 700 shows" and wowed some 3 million spectators in all -  "Céline Dion shut up shop in Las Vegas" (El Periodico, Spain, 25/12). The grand finale of Dion’s show, A New Day, received massive international media coverage, but tickets were strictly limited  to the lucky few. Fortunately, fans unable to attend Céline’s farewell show in person were able to "watch a filmed version broadcast in 200 theatres across the U.S." that same night (Los Angeles Times, 17/12). "Today is a beginning, not an end!" announced the Quebecoise diva, but "in reality, Céline will be taking a few months’ break before setting off on a world tour." There will be no commercial break in Dion wold domination, however. A double DVD of Céline’s New Day show and a CD album of previously unreleased material (Taking Chances) were opportunely released in the run-up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, over in the U.K., fans were busy rediscovering the charms of a former French pop Lolita. "In 1988, Joe le taxi climbed to no.3 (in the British Top 40), sung by 14-year-old Vanessa Paradis," The Times (15/12) reminded its readers in a lengthy profile of "Mrs. Johnny Depp." "Now, at the grand age of 34 (…)” The Times reported, “the first thing that strikes you listening to Vanessa’s album is how little her voice has changed." La Dernière Heure (Belgium, 10/12) treated itself to a bout of "Vanessa therapy" when the diminutive diva performed in concert at Le Forest National in Brussels. "As soon as guitarist Matthieu Chédid strode out on stage - barely decorated with a wooden rostrum and a battered old sofa - and struck up his opening chords, we knew it had been worth coming! Chédid appeared to be in fine form. And when Vanessa Paradis, simply dressed in jeans and knee-high boots, followed him up on stage and launched into her reunion with eager fans it was just irresistible." In 2008, La Presse (Canada, 27/12) revealed, Vanessa is set to appear "in Guillaume Nicloux’s next film, La clef, in which she will play a minor role opposite (French actor) Guillaume Canet. Vanessa will also star in Mabrouk El Mechri’s Sage femme. No details of the film have been revealed as yet, apart from the fact that it is to be shot in New York and Vanessa will star opposite Michael Madsen. Last, but not least, the Poiraud brothers are currently making a documentary about Vanessa’s tour."

Like Vanessa, Alizée is another French popstress who enjoyed Lolita status at the beginning of her career. "Alizée rose to fame in France at the tender age of 15," reported the music portal Playlouder.com (6/1). Seven years on, "Madame Lolita has grown up" and Alizée, "the most famous Corsican since Napoleon Bonaparte", is now back on the scene with a new album, released in several countries abroad.

"The young French singer who captivated Mexican fans with her single J’en ai marre is now aiming to pull off the same feat with her new release, Psychédélices", reported El Siglo de Torreon (Mexico, 9/12). Meanwhile, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir (27/11) informed its readers that "the child star has now been replaced by a sincere young woman seeking balance and equilibrium" in her life. Alizée, like her French pop counterpart Lorie, is going all out to promote a new mature image which will no doubt ‘make or break’ her in 2008.

One singer in need of little help in making 2008 a bonanza year is Keren Ann who recently received rave reviews in the British press. Indeed, two of the UK’s biggest-selling newspapers included the French ‘chanteuse’ in their end-of-year round-ups. The Sun (28/12).classed the singer’s eponymous album as its favourite French album of the year, ranking it at no.68 in its annual Top 100. “It was difficult not to be seduced by Keren Ann’s quiet charms,” the paper’s critic wrote, “Her songs didn’t always grab hold but if you spent some time with them their bountiful pleasures began to unfold. Sparse but sophisticated settings allowed her gorgeous voice room to shine.” The Times (29/12) was equally impressed by Keren Ann’s album, citing Lay Your Head Down as one of the Best Songs of the Year. Keren Ann and her fellow ‘chanteuses’, can certainly hold their heads high in 2008!

Gilles  Rio

Translation : Julie  Street