Jazz A Saint-Germain

Various Artists - Jazz

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 25, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B000009RNT
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,899 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Jazz à Saint Germain is a compilation of compelling jazz standards performed in tribute to the Parisian speakeasies that flourished during the German occupation in World War II. Espousing a free-spirited highlife as well as an existential and intellectual aesthetic, the French underground heartily embraced American jazz. Showcasing traditional styles as well as ambitious adaptations that reveal reggae, African, and even hip-hop influences, this collection is tasteful and eclectic. Angélique Kidjo's version of "Summertime" is gently evocative, as is Dee Dee Bridgewater's moving rendition of "Watermelon Man." The Jazz Passengers and Debbie Harry interpret "There Is No More Tomorrow," and French chanteuse François Hardy is joined by Iggy Pop for a version of "I'll Be Seeing You." With artists old and new, Jazz à Saint Germain is a vibrant, engaging affair. --Mitch Myers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Good Jazz Mix Album, If Not Particularly Great, March 19, 2002

By	"liquidink" (St. Louis, Missouri) - See all my reviews

If for no other reason, listen to this album for its beautiful tracks by Angelique Kidjo and Les Nubians (and less so for those by Patricia Kaas, Jane Birkin, China and Jimmy Rowles--though still very nice). Kidjo does a fantastic job with her native African version of one of my all-time favorite songs--"Summertime." It's absolutely beautiful, though really quite un-jazzy. Similarly, the slow, sexy French version of "'Round Midnight" by Les Nubians ("Autour de Minuit") is quite fantastic.

Alone, these two tracks might have been enough for me to enjoy this album, but there are also some great songs on here by other artists, though their styles are, generally, a bit more like that of traditional jazz. The version of "These Foolish Things" as performed by Jane Birkin and Jimmy Rowles, for example, is great in its beautifully slow pace--sleepy and reminiscent, like its lyrics. Patricia Kaas does a very nice, if rather awkwardly accented, job of "Black Coffee" similar to China's "Lover Man" from an earlier track. The unreleased "J'Suis Snob" by Boris Vian is great fun.

The rest of the album is a bit more avant garde for my personal taste with the exception of Iggy Pop and Fracoise Hardy's version of "I'll Be Seeing You" (which seems a little un-inspired) and Dee Dee Bridgewater's version of "Watermelon Man" (which is really quite good, but seems a little robust for the rest of the songs here). Brigitte Fontaine's "La Caravane," Princess Erika's "God Bless The Child" and Elli Medeiros' "Sophisticated Lady" all seem very choppy in addition to having rather severe and awkward accents for the chosen tunes.

Still, it's definitely an enjoyable collection of tracks, for the most part. I'd recommend it for just about any jazz lover or Francophile and definitely for fans of Les Nubians and Angelique Kidjo.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Your own Paris speakeasy, September 1, 1998

By A Customer

This is an intimate, eclectic vocal collection that has been getting alot of play at my place. Now that you're tired of all those lounge reissues you've been playing at cocktail time, try switching over to this. Smooth, smoky, and just the right amount of vermouth.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Complements any Billie Holiday and John Coltrane collection, August 30, 1998

By A Customer

French Jazz. So bohemian it hurts. This album is a collection of various contempory jazz artists doing covers of the songs circa "the nocturnal world of libertine Paris in the 40's and 50's". All the songs on this album are worthy listens and jazz lovers may only be disappointed with China's version of "loverman", a song that really can't be performed with out calling comparisons to Billie Holiday. Catherine Ringer & The Renegade Brass Band present us with the fantastic "Les Joyeux Bouchers". Iggy Pop shows up to perform with Francoise Hardy on "I'll be seeing you" (perhaps the album's best track).The Jazz Passangers give us Deborah Harry doing "Il n'y a plus d'apres", another sparkler. Patricia Kaas does an inspired cover of "Black Coffee", which can make any smoker enjoy their stay at their local coffee joint more. Other artists of interest are Princess Erika doing "God Bless the Child" and Les nubians with "Autour de Minuit". All int all the album is great. A fabulous survey for newcomers to jazz and for long time fanatics.