There are exceptions (Django being the greatest), and today's offering is one of them - an album so breezily relaxed and perfectly tuned to a summer's day picnic, to the pop of Champagne corks and the gentle lapping of the surf, that you come back to your miserable existence with a bump after listening to it.
Enzo Enzo has the effrontery to sing in French, but she sounds so goose-bumpy gorgeous you have to forgive her. Her musical accompaniment is silky cocktail jazz with a subtle Gallic swing, and it'll impress the merde out of your friends when played at those dinner-parties you give, with the paper plates of snacks set out and you in your white slacks and a rogueish gleam in your eye for your best friend's wife. E-hon, e-hon, e-hon!
EDIT: I've listened to this for the first time in a while, in writing this piece, and I'm struck by how shiveringly wonderful it is. Songs that sound like standards the first time you hear them, variety that doesn't compromise consistency, instrumental dexterity, and her husky, adorable delivery. It's fucking sublime, is what it is.
ReplyDeleteNote, also, how subtle use of the airbrush can help you with that big schnozz you gots.
Well it may be fucking perfect BUT she sings in French dammit!
ReplyDeleteIf you're enamoured of the Belle Francais, you may wish to check out Paris Combo. Although they are extremely globally sensitive and sometimes sing in English (or is it American?) Watch your step tho, according to the Late Mr Zappa, the French, They Peeese in the Streeets...As ever, thanks for the toonz and the great Farq reviews.
I am leaf in Frrrraince for 'ow you say many of year? So naturellement I am a leetle beet in luurve wiz sairtan aspect of zair culchair. But I don't think you need to understand the words to appreciate the music. I don't pay too much attention to words of English pop songs. Think of her voice as an instrument, like a human saxophone, and you'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteLiving in the Deep South of the USA, I don't has no big fancy parties. Can I lizzen to this while snackin' ons sums pig feet and BBQ, while wearing my MAGA hat?!?
ReplyDeleteSeriously - thanks for this one.
Howdy, pmac! You jes' go right ahead, but be sure yer listenin' on them Ray-Dee-Oh Shack© headphones lessen' you get yer ass branded on the BBQ grille by some them good ole boys!
ReplyDeleteSeriously - thanks for the comment. Enzo (to her friends) really is something special.
Django, as your auto-correct probably knows, was Belgian but he did spend much of his formative years in Romani encampments near Paris so he is French enough!
ReplyDeleteThe “singin’ in foreign” on the Deux album adds to its attraction as far as I’m concerned. Listening to it now and it’s wonderful.
Whilst a lot of French music is, as you say, difficult to admire, when they get it right they get it very right . . . for example, La Mer by Charles Trenet is neck and neck with Wave by Antônio Carlos Jobim as the loveliest tune I’ve heard this week.
Some modern Guadeloupe / French vocals can be enjoyed when listening to Malika Tirolien fronting the superb Bokanté on Jou Ké Ouvé https://youtu.be/X-DoGgMTfiY It’s a bit different from Enzo Enzo but is pushing in the right direction.
Cheers, Peanuts Molloy
Yawning Angel sez...
ReplyDeleteThanks Farq!
mon francais, c'est pas tres bien, mais j'aime cette musique.
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