Customer Reviews

C'est Si Bon

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

 

 

Arielle is back, this time with a collection of French themed songs that are penned mostly by American composers like Sammy Cahn and Irving Berlin. As my mother said when I had the disc on in the car, she has trouble hitting high notes, but that is part of Arielle's French charm, as she is attempting to do a French screen siren type album this time while backed mostly by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra. Don't be looking for the powerful high notes she was hitting on an album like the crossover opera outing, Liberta, because this time she is subdued and sensual in a very charming and old school way.

The orchestra is first class backing behind her all too gentle and seductive voice--probably her attempt at singing too softly lending to trouble in the higher registers--but the effect is nevertheless soothing and lovely to hear. Here, too, she visits a few latin numbers such as the old Carmen Miranda ditty "Tico Tico," the timeless classic "Que Sera Sera" (among my personal faves here), "South American Way," and a spanish version of "It Had to Be You." Though the album has an overall French theme, most of the lyrics are in English, and her French accent is delightful to listen to as she croons away.

Not recommended for people who like technically proficient singers or those who are not fond of old world nostalgia, but highly recommended for those who, like myself, find charm and romance in the most delightfully simple and multiculturally embracing ways.

Ah! I have finally "got" Arielle Dombasle, I think! Arielle Dombasle is just messing around and having some fun with this material. I watched the film clip of her Eartha Kitt classic "C'est si bon" on YouTube, and apart from noticing the obvious, i.e. that mademoiselle Dombasle is impossibly, ridiculously and almost disgracefully beautiful, I became very aware of the fact that she has a sense of humour about the material she sings and herself.

C'est si bon features a range of standards and torch songs, sung in a very light, high and clear voice, by Arielle Dombasle. Her accompaniments and arrangements sound like she wanted her musicians to recreate a cinematic feel, say, from the world of the 1930s and 1940s. I would say that if she put her mind to it, Ms Dombasle could sing Classical music, perhaps Baroque music? Her voice is high, light and clear, as I said.

I have done some research on Arielle Dombasle and I've discovered that's she's directed and made some films and has studied music at university. She's something of an intellectual and well as an impossible beauty and comic.

I don't listen to "C'est si bon" very often, but I enjoy it when I do. I only wish mademoiselle Dombasle had made a DVD of the tour of this album across the United States, which by all accounts I have read, was great fun.

I stumbled across Arielle Dombasle on eMusic a while back while looking for a good version of "Sway". I liked her sound and the fact that she did both the English version and the Spanish original, "Qien Sera" in the same performance. I looked around and found some other favorite popular classics by her and I liked them all.

The real question in my mind was why did I like her? At this time, I'd never seen her, only heard her. Objectively, I had to admit that her voice, while good, wasn't the greatest. Yet there was something about her that I really liked.

The answer came when I saw her video of "Rhum and Coca-Cola" on YouTube. It was great, and the reason was clear. Here was a woman who was having fun! Her affection for the music, combined with an apparent natural playfulness, came through whether you could see her or not.

I now have both of her recent CD's (this one and "Amor Amor") and, although I recognize she is an acquired taste, can recommend them highly

French cabaret/pop from a French/American singer. Indeed. It is said that Mlle. Dombasle is an acquired taste...OK....she was rather easy for me to acquire. Her voice has a sexy, almost little-girl, quality that is quite appealing, with enough French accent to allure, and not enough so as to muddle.

The numbers here are mostly familiar ones...the opening "C'est Magnifique", and the title cut set the tone..."Cheek to Cheek", and the closing "I'm In the Mood For Love" are really special...heck, the whole album is special.

Mlle. Dombasle is not to everybody's liking, though she sure is to mine. Read the reviews, make up your own mind. But if you try her, I'll bet you like her.

The songs are well chosen, the band is doing a good, but not outstanding job. Problem is, that Madame Dombasle is having a feeble voice and does neither articulate nor has a wide tonal range.

If you are looking for a good interpretation of French songs in a jazz setup, check Cynthia McCorkindale "Cafe Blue".

I love the smooth femine voice of Arielle, the decidedly French vibe, and the simple happy delights of this cd.