Customer Reviews

Bachelor in Paris: Ultra Lounge 10

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yes, this is one of the best Ultra-lounge CDs, and not just because it tries to transport you into the super-chic world of France, as viewed from the eyes of soon-to-be-too-hip-to-care Americans. Unlike many of the CDs in this set, Bachelor in Paris lands beaucoup points for actual sentiment here, even with the sometimes annoying fake French dame who pops up every now and then. The renditions of the most famous stuff ("La Vie en Rose", "April in Paris", "Milord") are pretty unique, and you can still never say that Sam Butera didn't put every ounce of his soul into his horn. My faves are the lesser known, like "French Rat Race" (Manhatten Transfer eat your hearts out!) and "Under Paris Skies/La La Collette" which may be the single corniest (yet wonderful) performance in the ultra lounge series. Overall, tout à fait beau, and so lovely on a temperate spring afternoon.

One of the more unusual entries in the U-L sereis, this one has slowly become one of my favorites. Of course, this is not authentic 'French' music in any sense, but at least most of the cuts have French-sounding names! These American Loungeés may never have been to Paree, but they still deliver Gallic-inspired delights such as the Xylophone-mad 'Clown On The Eiffel Tower' or the hyperactive scat-singing of 'French Rat Race'. Not to mention other standouts like a Mambo 'I Love Paris' (one of 2 versions here, both great), A swingin' 'La Vie En Rose' in the style of Carl Mann's 'Mona Lisa' [I love swing versions of familiar ballads]!

Other standouts include 2 linked versions of 'C'est Si Bon', and the eerie, yet corny 'Parisian Women' (how they pulled that combination off I'll never know). As the liner notes say, 'This Is The Paris Of The Mind', and I think that's a good description as regards authenticity; this may not be 'pure', but it sure is fun! The melodies definitely grow on you after repeated listenings.

And, by the way, I believe the Frenchwoman who guides you through Paris in her 4 or 5 little interjections is none other that Line Renaud, who performed the memorable 'Sexe' on Vol. 4. I think she's tres enchantee...but those who don't like spoken words can remove her by using program or shuffle on your CD player, her asides reside in the 'gap' areas before songs and are removed unless you play the album in order, from the beginning. So there! Stop complaining (see below) and listen to one of the coolest and most charming entries in the series!

I took a flyer on a used copy of this CD, based on how much I liked some of the other Ultra-Lounge discs, and much to my surprise this has been a favorite. Particular surprise: the most bouncy light-hearted cover of "La Vie En Rose" ever committed to vinyl.

This is a fairly good CD of this series. You get pretty much what you would expect--lots of accordion instrumentation and saucy vocals. The album is uniformly good, but with no blockbuster tracks as most of the other CDs in the ULTRA-LOUNGE series have. P.S.: In between every third track or so, a Frenchwoman takes you on a verbal tour of Paris.

For whatever reason, I avoided this entry in the Ultra-Lounge series like the plague. In fact, I bought nearly every other volume BEFORE "A Bachelor in Paris" and waited until the last second to add it to my collection and complete the series. What did a French spin on my beloved lounge music have to offer me? The whole idea just did not sound all that appealing - I've never even fantasized about visiting Paris! Still, with few entries left to buy, I finally picked up "A Bachelor in Paris" and boy am I glad I did!

The music is jovial and fun, with a continental flair that evokes not the actual Paris but rather a fictional, idealized Paris of the jet-set 1950s and 60s. The Paris for lovers, the romanticized Paris of quaint cafes and glowing nightlife is here, conveniently preserved on disc to visit anytime you need to escape the reality of everyday life. More than any other entry in the Ultra-Lounge series, "A Bachelor in Paris" evokes a celebratory atmosphere - a mini-vacation in a jewel case where the locals are friendlier, the wine ever flowing, and your love faithfully always by your side to squeeze and caress at will.

The woman who pops up between every couple of tracks is quite amusing and helps perpetuate the illusion that listening to this disc is like taking a guided tour of Paris in the 50s and 60s. How sublime!

So, in parting, my final thoughts to anyone who has yet to complete their Ultra-Lounge collection, like me, should absolutely pick up a copy of "A Bachelor in Paris." The music is fun, the atmosphere is romantic and magical, and the entire compilation ranks among the best, most cohesive discs in the Ultra-Lounge series!

C'est Magnifique!

As always Ultralounge amazes me.

It's like being in Paris... Not real paris, but that idealized one you see in the movies. You plug in the CD, light up nice incense, grab a glass of beaujolais, and you are there... Walking the street chatting avec tes amis.

C'est Magnifique. ^_^

You either get this series or you don't. The music of the Ultra-Lounge series is best appreciated with one ear tuned into the genuinely clever and novel arrangements and performances of many of the pieces and one ear archly tuned into the genuinely bizarre arrangements and questionable performances of the rest. A love of slap-happy, silly popular culture excesses will make you a candidate for becoming a fan of the Ultra-lounge series. This volume has what you expect. Some delightfully misguided attempts at French style music, a few gems that will hook you in (Cy Coleman's "Parisian Women", Jerry Shard's cartoonish "can-can", etc), some big jazzy renditions of French tunes that practically beg you to overindulge in your favorite vices, and even an "oh-so-cliched" female tour guide giving tips about where in France lovers rendevouz for "oooh-la-la". An entertaining volume.

Unlike the last two reviewers, I believe this to be one of the very best in the series. It took me totally by surprise and is delightful all the way. The frenchwoman's tour is an added delight. Highly recommended

French music always possessed the unique charm of French culture and sophistication. This CD in the Ultra-Lounge series celebrates some of the greatest French tunes of the 1950s and 1960s; and many of these numbers sport a jazzy flair that will leave you wanting more! Just one listen to this CD proves it.

The CD opens with the magnificent "I Love Paris" performed by Sam Butera & The Witnesses. The drums, percussion and horns all come together to produce a suave and elegant instrumental track that fits perfectly as an opener to this album. The French standard "Milord" shines with Les Baxter's touch; the piano carries the bulk of the musical arrangement and the male chorus adds to the beauty of this classic French ballad. "Valentina" is another special number; "Valentina" uses horns, drums and percussion to let Elmer Bernstein & The Swinging Bon Vivants bat this one straight out of the proverbial ball park! Love that piano solo, too! Awesome! In addition, "C'est Magnifique" sports Nelson Riddle's elegant touch as the horns and string shine to make this ballad magical.

"April In Paris" gets the royal treatment by The Mighty Accordion Band; their accordion playing gives us another perfect number performed without a single superfluous note. The accordion is certainly associated with classic French ballads of the 20th century; so it comes as not surprise that this number fits well into the track set. Indeed, all the tracks on this CD flow together very, very well.

Another track worthy of special mention is "The Poor People Of Paris (Jean's Song);" this number was written partly by the great Marguerite Monnot who wrote songs for such immortal greats as Edith Piaf. The piano, horns, percussion and strings all combine to make this number absolutely stunning. It also has that elegant early 1960s/late 1950s elegant flair that captures the essence of all things French: Haute Couture, Love and a certain élan that you just can't find anywhere else on the planet!

"La Vie En Rose" is performed by Sam Butera & The Witnesses; this is the only track on the CD that slightly disappoints me because I can't quite go for the emphasis on the horns in this arrangement. Nevertheless, the melody remains very beautiful and the artists perform it flawlessly. I guess "La Vie En Rose" will be a personal judgment call on this CD.

"C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)" features an organ and a male chorus; and "I Love Paris" features the bongo drums and percussion to infuse this number with a Latin beat. I think this method works very well. "Can Can Can" ends the CD's musical numbers with that classic French "Can Can" melody. This number immediately brings to mind those beautiful young ladies dancing the Can Can while kicking their legs up high over their heads. This terrific musical arrangement gets help from the flute and the xylophone as the horns carry the melody. Beautiful.

The last "hidden track" by Renzo Cesana is pure filler; but they should have ended this CD with the musical track entitled "Can Can Can." There's also the voice of a young lady with a beautiful French accent occasionally introducing a number on this album--as if the numbers needed any introduction whatsoever! I didn't like this, obviously, so I will make this a four star review instead of a five star review. Sorry, Ultra-Lounge!

The liner notes include the song credits and an essay about French musical standards by R. J. Smith. There are even three drink recipes so that you can offer your dinner guests a "French Poodle" the next time you serve cocktails before dinner!

Fans of French music and that late 1950s/early 1960s sound will thrill to this CD. People who want to enjoy well executed French instrumentals will also enjoy this CD very much. I also recommend this for fans of easy listening music, lounge music and exotica.

Enjoy!

This CD is essential for the serious Ultra Lounge collector. It sets the mood for circa 50-60s French-American genres movies, i.e., An American in Paris, Paris When it Sizzles, etc. A must have. Great for entertaining, too.