Motifs [Enhanced]

Paris Combo

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 11, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Drg
• ASIN: B0006SSNPA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,831 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With a sound made up of equal parts bossa nova and classic chanson transported almost unchanged from the 1960s, plus American jazz, Argentinean Tango, bal musette and the Manouche swing made famous by Django Reinhardt, Paris Combo undeniably personifies that city's aesthetic. French music and film tend to share an elegant, humorless, surreal, coolly theatrical artificiality so ingrained that observed or remembered passion becomes more seductive than the real thing. Style-over-substance is merely a different reality, no less involving than daily life. The band's membership includes a guitarist from Madagascar, a keyboardist/trumpeter from Australia, a French drummer and a French-Algerian guitarist, each of whom contribute whimsical, cosmopolitan images from their own travels. Bandleader-singer Belle du Berry's lyrics are wry metaphors, in which estrangement, loss and desire are experienced in nightclubs under the light of pink lampshades and each carefully posed film-noir frame is wreathed in expensive perfume and cigarette smoke. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting release to relax with or hold your lover by!, January 29, 2005

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Motifs by Paris Combo is one of those comparatively rare CDs you CAN truly relax with--just pop it in and pour yourself a nice glass of wine--and ENJOY! These French songs are creative, soothing (even when discussing sad times, a real feat) and just plain great to listen to. This group of band members from several different countries works hard and they won't fail you with this release.

Another tip: If you like groups like Pink Martini, then you'll REALLY like this album! Their work is every bit as elegant-and just like Pink Martini, and the group is made up of persons from all over the world. This careful arrangement of members and the thoughtful songs they give us make for a particularly pleasing experience.

Now for the songs: It's hard to say definitively which song is my favorite; they all are very well done. One thing is clear, however, the last track, entitled "Je Ne Sais Qui Fumer," is superb! The melody and vocals are just right. Another reviewer put it well when they wrote that the music "(is) jazzy, swing-y, loungy, a little bit Edith Piaf-y." Anything "Edith-Piaf-y can't go wrong! The songs "Discordance" and "Etoile Pâle" were also particularly special in my opinion. Another point: The songs reflect a fanciful and sophisticated image as well.

Even if you don't know French you will notice the elegance and the thoughtfulness of this group on this CD. The sounds of the French language coupled with the carefully arranged music provide the listener with a great experience. You will pick up on the elegance of the CD song tracks and you won't regret adding this CD to your collection!

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, January 16, 2005

By	Kenny O. (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Paris Combo is fantastic. Having just seen them live last night in Chicago, they are every bit as good in the flesh. They are witty and urbane, but unpretentious at the same time. Most importantly the music is fantastic. I don't think I've ever heard a bad song from them. How many groups can you say that about?

I know I should say something specific about the music, but I really don't know how to categorize it. It's jazzy, swing-y, loungy, a little bit Edith Piaf-y. Decide for yourself.

They had people dancing in the aisles. If Paris Combo does not find great success in the music world, it will be a shame.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars paris combo : for me , formidable, June 29, 2005

By	Rita Lempel (NYC,NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an incredibly professional album : ALL tracks are harmonious , singable. Belle du Berry, the main vocalist is a true master of the new bossa nova . Her mellow, beautiful voice expresses the soft sensuality of this typically brazilian musical form , with a touch of gallic humor in the french lyrics.
She is backed by talented musicians, who know all about the "right chords".
The album also contains tracks strangely reminiscent of klezmer music,and of the Stephane Grappelli style of violin playing.
In today's soft music scene,Belle du Berry is only matched
by Celso Fonseca(who sings bossa nova in portuguese and english).
Both are true HEIRS to the old masters of that genre: Tom Jobim,Joao Gilberto, Vinicius de Moraes and Toquinho.
This is an all-round BRILLIANT CD, and a testimony to french musicality and good taste.