Customer Reviews

Paris Combo

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I originally heard the song clips on Amazon and read the favorable reviews, so I asked my sister to buy it in the US and bring it to me during Christmas. Boy what a great buy! Although the music style takes some time to get used to,(French music sounds completely different from US pop or rock), the lush instrumentation and Belle du Berry's throaty voice is like velvet, what a delight to listen to this seductive, quirky album. My favorite cut is "Istanbul", a bewitching, Middle-Eastern sounding song which alone makes this CD a great listening experience.

If you do share, you won't get it back without a fight. Sadly, I've bought FIVE copies of this CD. Everytime someone borrows Paris Combo, I have to buy them a copy so I can get my copy back.

Paris Combo is funky, cool, and new, and their debut CD is without doubt one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Superlatives pale next to the five-person band's music: It's inventive and creative, exotic and eccentric, danceable and just plain fun. The combo hails naturally enough from Paris, and is made up of Gypsy guitarist Potzi, playing Favino and Dupont guitars; David Lewis on horns and piano; Mano Razanajato on string bass and percussion; François-François on percussion and xylophone. The band is lead by accordionist and chanteuse Belle du Berry, who penned many of the songs' music and lyrics. Describing Paris Combo's music is tough. One song is Edith Piaf gone punk. The next is Django Reinhardt on LSD. Then comes a grunge Joe Privat. Finally, there's Yves Montand doing hip-hop. Great stuff!

I don't speak word of French, but this is a tremendous CD. I have had a friend translate the basic meanings for me, but now I want to learn the language for this one CD. The music and Belle du Berry's voice are matched perfectly.

Well, I first sighted their video of "Moi, mon ame, et ma conscience" on an international video show. I had to have the CD. I looked high and low to find it and finally I bought it and was ironically blown away. I had an advantage. As a student learning french, it gave me a chance to have more exposure to the French culture. But this CD is one to keep. I cannot pick a song on this CD that is most enjoyable. It makes you just want to roll back and relax to chantez en francais, (even if you don't know the meanings.) One thing though, if you're not accustomed to listening to music in other languages, it'll take a little time for your ears to adjust.

While many of the melodies of this song will be VERY familiar to those who bought their second album first (or vice-versa.)the lyrics are all fresh and vibrant. Their sound is seductive and playful, a musical Lolita, if you will. This is not music to play as background noise at suppertime! Tango! Salsa! Anything, but don't sit be sedate. Enjoy the rejuvenated sounds of Gallic strains and all that jazz.

All the things people are saying about this album are true -- it's easily one of the best disks I've ever bought. The only thing I would add is that Paris Combo's vocalist, Belle du Berry, is absolutely amazing. Not only does she have a great voice, but the lyrics she writes and the way she sings them to fit the music are pure poetry, a trick that very few people are gifted enough to pull off. This album also makes great dance music!!! Everyone should own a copy of Paris Combo.