Customer Reviews

Cafe De Paris

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All I can say is that the previous reviewer must have cloth ears! No, it's not necessarily background music. The CD is a distillation of bal musette classics that originally were anthologised on the Parisian Fremeaux label. As such it's a handy introduction to the world of bal musette accordion and some of its greatest stars. It's not afraid to deal with the end of the music influenced by the amalgam of swing and manouche gypsy jazz. As for the sound I found nothing wrong with it- no rice krispies effects- and I go back to it again and again.

This CD is perfect for providing background "atmosphere" for a French Cafe-themed production. Though the music is from the 30s and 40s, it is the type of music Americans stereotypically associate with Paris.

This disc is an anthology of pieces played by top accordion groups of the 1930's in Paris. As such, it has quite an "old-timey" sound style-wise and recording-wise. Some numbers also have vocalists. It's good background or atmosphere music.

To paraphrase a bumpersticker: "Use an accordion, go to France."

French accordion music is very specifically French; you won't hear dorky polkas or Cajun/Italian/Irish/cowboy music here. This music is so purely evocative of the feeling you have in Europe: cobblestoned streets; cafés at night filled with chatting, laughing people; and time that encompasses a line back into history. Or at least back fifty years, when men wore their hats frontwards, and women wore gloves. It's a lush recording. You'll feel like your passport has been stamped: FRANCE.

This CD is just GREAT, it is a compilation of all the best accordeon songs and tunes. A "must-have" for everyone who loves Paris and/or accordeon.

This CD is a MUST for any lover of old French classics and/or accordion music. Great listening or for background. I am an accordionist and therefore find this CD even more special!

If you like accordion music you'll love this cd. It's great for having a romantic dinner with your loved one. Some wine, fresh cut flowers, candle light, a nice meal, and soft accordion music in the background will really set your night in the right direction.

I bought it as a joke some years ago, but boy was I seduced. Accordion music is extruded cheese, right? Wrong.

In the hands of virtuosi like Gus Viseur, Tony Murena and Guerino, this music jumps something wonderful. Not to mention the Reinhardt brothers and others on guitar, Grappelli on violin, Piaf and Jean Gabin singing. These folk play up a storm. (And if you thought swing was a purely American phenomenon, you'd be mistaken.)

It's as good an introduction to the poignant, humorous, sophisticated world of pre-war French popular music as you'll find.

These are yummy vingnettes from a bygone era, yet so typically "French." Don't be put off by the word "accordion." You scarcely notice it as these beautiful passages roll by. There is yet an added treat in the appearance of Edith Piaf for those who might be fans. I play this CD over and over, and still can't get enough. Cafe de Paris comes highly recommended.

This CD is terribly marred by the crackly, tinny recordings. I was not aware how spoiled I am by modern recording technology until I heard this CD. I was totally disappointed by the quality of the recordings. I expected them to be remastered not sounding like they were taped from grandmere's old albums. I don't even listen to it because it is so bad. I'm still looking for some good French background music, because this cd is not it.