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Charles Aznavour
06.10.04
When I think of France, I see the smoke of cigarettes in a café, the smell of coffee or warm baguettes in the street, and people on old-fashioned bicycles working their way along the cobblestone. In this quaint and only semi-realistic vision, there is always a mysteriously and uniquely French style of music playing in the background. And ladies and gentlemen, Aznavour is the king of it.
Ok, ok. There are others. Gainsbourg comes to mind first and foremost. But something is so tortured and romantic and pleasant and stuck-in-the-40's (like the rest of the country) about Aznavour that means I can listen to his albums for hours on end. The others I have to turn off eventually. He sings lullabies, urban tales, and great romance stories. And unlike most French singers I have come to know, he has a great, soothing voice.
This song, La Boheme, is one of his better known. It's soft and sweet, and on permanent loop in my Top 25. For those who speak French, the words are beautiful... for those who don't, there's my weak (but with good intentions) translation below. Note that sooo much is lost in translation, but it's just to give you an idea what he's talking about.
If you're not interested, just scroll down for the download.
PS He's also a really famous actor. And an artist, obviously.
keep reading (and get the download) »be the first to groove »
MC Solaar
16.12.02
I promised myself at the beginning of this MP3 page (aka yesterday) that I would make sure to include a variety of all styles. And while this is true, I just can't get enough of this MC Solaar song at the moment. So I am continuing the hip hop train.
Ok, ok, I know what you're all thinking: "God, Lee's in France and she listens to the only French rapper known outside of that Texan-sized speckle of a country? Isn't there anybody else? France's rap scene must really suck." And you know what? You're right. It pretty much does. But while I was swayed away from MC Solaar by some off-hand comment that a Corsican friend of mine made about him being a sell-out before ever having listened to him, I have learned to change my ways.
There is something pop-y about the guy, and if you're one of those hip hop people who says they hate commercial crap (but still manage to own every Jay-Z album - huh?) well, maybe you won't dig his style. But I find the majority of his songs - and it's a weird adjective to put with rap - pleasant. Solaar has a comfortable and soothing voice, and his music is, in general, unabrasive.
keep reading (and get the download) »a few groovers have spoken »
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