Paris Combo

Paris Combo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 20, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tinder
• ASIN: B00000G408
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,882 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. On N'A Pas Besoin (You Don't Need To)

2. Moi, Mon Âme et Ma Conscience [Me, My Soul and My Conscience]

3. Je Rêve Encore (I'm Still Dreaming)

4. Les Portes de l'Ennui (The Gates of Boredom

5. Irénée

6. Interlude Potzi

7. Istanbul

8. Le Roi de la Forêt (The King of the Forest)

9. St Exubérant (St Exuberant)

10. Si J'Avais Été

11. Ainsi Soit-Il

12. Valse d'Amour (Waltz of Love)

13. Obliques

14. Je Suis un If (I Am a Yew)

15. Berry-Bouy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!, August 5, 1999

By 

S. Farnum "Teacher, painter, cyclist..." (St. Augustine FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paris Combo (Audio CD)

I first heard this group on NPR one morning, and went crazy trying to find anything about them online. After a while I gave up and went on with my life, always keeping an eye out. I, too, was at B&N and saw an endcap of French music. I was happy enough with that until my view panned down to the bottom shelf of the display. I put the headphones on, listened to two tracks, and realized that the cd was exactly wonderful, and bought it. I am so thrilled that I picked it up. Paris Combo is my favorite release of 1999. With their traditional French and Gypsy sounds mixed together in a perfect jazz cocktail, I find myself listening all the time. Also, a related recommendation: If you like this cd, you'll also like the cd Sympathique by the group Pink Martini.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Incredible, May 30, 2001

By 

3rdeadly3rd (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paris Combo (Audio CD)

I'd tried to find this album for about 2 1/2 years before seeing it in the "rock" section of my local CD store (yes, I know that says something about the store but who cares?).

It was definitely worth the wait to hear this delightful blend of jazz, gypsy music and old-style (pre-war) French nightclub music. This is probably a better albm than their second release "Living Room" - and it also allows you to see the beginnings of their sound before listening to the more evolved version on "Living Room".

The best track here is probably "Moi, Mon Ame et ma Conscience" (if someone has the English translation of the lyrics PLEASE Email them to me, no one who I know can translate them). The track features a sprightly upbeat vocal from Belle, along with superlative playing by all the musicians concerned - Potzi's guitar solo and David Lewis' horn work are truly amazing. The song will really put you in the mood for dancing.

Two of the other standout tracks here are the instrumentals "Interlude Potzi" and "Obliques". The former is Potzi's gypsy/jazz guitar for about a minute (superb playing again - impossible really to fault him) and the latter features the whole band with the exception of Belle's vocals. To some extent "Obliques" is let down by the fact that it is long enough to warrant voals but doesn't have them - but then again it is the only real opportunity in the band's discography to experience the instruments without interference.

"Le Roie De La Foret" and "St Exuberant" are also great tracks - although the latter does go for a bit too long in my opinion.

This album also features a large number of tracks which are really excuses for Belle to demonstrate her vocal range (which is considerable and evokes memories - for those I've played it for who were there - of 1930s-1940s France). While these by no means detract from the whole, it is a considerable relief to see that by "Living Room" Belle was content just to voice jazz songs rather than do a whole lot of Edith Piaf impressions.

The gypsy influence which a lot of reviewers have mentioned is a lot more pronounced here than on "Living Room". Potzi's guitar is often played in a distinctly non-French way and there are some other arrangements throughout which have that sort of sound. It is most noticable, however, on te final cut "Berry-Bouy" which features Belle singing in a language with which I'm not familiar. The lyrics in the liner notes appear to be Turkish but if anyone could Email me and set me right on this I'd be much obliged.

Overall - a superlative listen and richly deserving of all the praise anyone can give it. These musicians need more exposure everywhere, so buy this album and help them out.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars J'taime Paris Combo, July 17, 2000

By 

"pam67" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paris Combo (Audio CD)

If you have listened to Pink Martini's album or heard them live you'll understand when I say Paris Combo is like a french version of that band! The music is upbeat, cool, jazzy, french cabaret style which dares you not to fall in love with it. Put this cd on and close your eyes and you'll practically be able to smell the croisants baking. Paris Combo is a five member band using instruments like the accordian, trumpet, xylophone bugle and of course the beautiful voice of lead singer Belle du Berry. If you are a fan of Pink Martini you'll love this. If you haven't heard either of these bands go buy their cds! You don't know what you're missing.