Customer Reviews

Tour De Charme

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful album indeed, but my first caveat is that -- in comparison with French release entitled "Je te dis vous" -- getting Mlle Kaas's version of "La vie en rose" is not compensation for getting a VASTLY inferior arrangement and version of one of her biggest hits ever "Il me dit que je suis belle." I bought the English release first and the song made no impression, and then with then French release I heard how powerful and transcendent it is. If you already like this song, you will not believe your ears when you hear the version on "Je te dis vous." The English album also omits the very pop "Hôtel Normandy" and an odd-ball German rocker "Ganz und Gar."

Otherwise, it's an extremely well-integrated musical collection spanning French cabaret tradition, Piaf-inspired vocalism, the drive of rock, with blues at its heart. Songs like the omitted "Hôtel Normandy" and "Je te dis vous," especially after her signature tune "Mademoiselle chante les blues" from her first album, are excessive in their self-regarding posture -- but, it IS great music.

The English songs (included in the French album) are performed creditably, even memorably, but the material isn't quite as arresting and come off as blues exercises. I'm sure her ability to communicate in English will improve, but we need her in French.

This is a beautiful album indeed, but my first caveat is that -- in comparison with French release entitled "Je te dis vous" -- getting Mlle Kaas's version of "La vie en rose" is not compensation for getting a VASTLY inferior arrangement and version of one of her biggest hits ever "Il me dit que je suis belle." I bought the English release first and the song made no impression, and then with then French release I heard how powerful and transcendent it is. If you already like this song, you will not believe your ears when you hear the version on "Je te dis vous." The English album also omits the very pop "Hôtel Normandy" and an odd-ball German rocker "Ganz und Gar."

Otherwise, it's a well-integrated musical collection spanning French cabaret tradition, Piaf-inspired vocalism, the drive of rock, with blues at its heart. Songs like the omitted "Hôtel Normandy" and "Je te dis vous" (following her signature tune "Mademoiselle chante les blues" from her first album) are excessive in their self-regarding posture -- the performer's world view, alternately gutsy and winsome -- but, it IS great music. "La liberté" and "Jojo" are more convincing, touching on more universal themes, yet they bear the indescribable Frenchness that one associates with Juliette Gréco. How satisfying it is to have something new that reminds one intuitively of old favorites.

The English songs (included in the French album) are performed creditably, even memorably, but the material isn't quite as arresting and come off as blues exercises. I'm sure her ability to communicate in English will improve, but we need her in French.

The songs on this, as noted in another review, are rearranged a little from the French release. God knows why. Still, La Vie en Rose is a unique interpretation of this song, and stunning. Entrer dans la lumiere is underappreciated and beautiful. Il me dit que je suis belle is one of her best. Patricia Kaas has remarkable control, a remarkable voice, style, and a taste for good material, often with interesting lyrics, too. From Mon mec et moi, to Mademoiselle Chante les blues, to J'ai quitte' tout pour toi (the best torch song of our generation?) there is no female singer doing a better job in this style. If she were American, she would be a worldwide superstar. Regrettably, we are too provincial to accept foreign language recordings.

This CD from the talented French singer Patricia Kaas is one that you should definitely get, especially if you are interested in learning French and/or more about the French culture. If you are like me, you will probably end up learning new French words. Unfortunately, the CD only comes with the English words but if you do some searching on the internet you can find the French lyrics and "match them up."

Some great songs are À Saint-Lunaire, Ceux Qui N'Ont Rien, La Liberté, and Je Te Dis Vous. I love all of the songs, except for the last three tracks (especially "It's A Man's World"-Kaas should just stick with the French).

I garuntee that you will not be disappointed if you buy this CD. Each song has a good beat, and even if you don't understand a word she is saying, you will be singing along. If you're looking for a good French CD, then you've come to the right place. Parce qu'elle est une bonne chanteuse!

All right, I'm biased. Kaas has been a favorite of mine for probably the last decade, if not longer. She has the most amazing voice, so full and rich, and she manages English and French songs equally well (even though she'll always be a quintessentially French artist). This album was my absolute favorite in college, and I still go back to it, particularly to the beautiful ballad Je Te Dis Vous, which is just SUCH a beautiful song (and, if you know a bit of French, the words are great, too). Other than that, JoJo is very good (a little Russian, even), as are La Liberte, full of very native rhythm, and the bluesy Laissez-Moi Chanter. In general, a great compilation of songs from a lovely and talented singer.

Wonderful voice, rich and deep, well in line with the music. I own all Patricia Kaas CDs and at least for two months all I play when driving to work is Patricia. Definitely not to get bored with this music.

Great voice. Really too captivating to listen to while working, but it can even make pizza and beer romantic.

wonderful cd- needless to say, it's in French, but that doesn't matter to non-french speaking me, i mean- moi(?). The melodies are absolutely beautiful and musically sophisticated( especially the 5th and 6th songs) .Her singing is a bit rougher, raspier than her "Dans ma Chair"-(whatever that means). I have listened to both regularly, for months now, and am not tired of hearing either of her two cd's I have... Discovered Kass by hearing her cd in a record store- sometimes subliminal messages do pay off!

Patricia started as the opening act in one of the French cabaret scene. She has moved the total french music business to love her suave voice,and people adored her because of her tiny posture,that reminded them of the belated French singer Edith Piaf!I went to see her in concert in Las Vegas in 1999,where she performed at the currently opend Paris hotel. It was amazing to see her live,and her records should sell more in the US. It's a shame that American people dont buy more French music,pure because they dont understand,but if you listen to this album from Patricia,you dont need to understand,because you listen to it with your heart. from: alterego Tulsa Oklahoma USA

The strong presence and magnetic charisma of that outstanding vocalist can be felt even by the most candid listener. Gifted with a wide frequency voice , she may be well displace for several rhythms and musical territories with any problem . Every track is new experience .
From Hotel Normand for instance to Kennedy Rose or the outstanding theme Mademoiselle chante le blues to Entrer dans la lumiere are formidable and eloquent performed.
I guess to assist to one of her live performances must be simply terrific and hallucinating .
Buy this album and will obtain much more than the simple sum of the tracks .