Paris Combo

Amazon.com
The smoky ambience of a Paris nightclub permeates this cabaret-tinged debut from Paris Combo, who come off as a Gallic version of Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, albeit with their own distinctive repertoire and reference points. These 15 originally penned songs draw from Gypsy, Italian, and Spanish influences along with the swing of Django Reinhardt and some cool-jazz licks as garnish. The five-person combo, fronted by the delightful Belle du Berry, features upright bass, piano, trumpet, xylophone, drums, and guitar, with Berry's light and quirky contemporary vocals especially notable on the torch songs. She has elements of Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf but simply does not carry their weight. The lyrics (all in French with no English translations) are intelligent and witty, matching the inventive music arrangements from this eclectic and very musical group that can swing with the best of them. Paris Combo are no mere nostalgia act--they plot an innovative course of their own making with nods to many artists and cultures. --Derek Rath

Tracks:

Living-room
Terrien D'eau Douce
Senor
Homeron
Je Suis Sourde
Pas A Pas
Ubiquite
Sous La Lune
L'avenir Incertain Du Titanic
Si Mon Amour
Chez Nous
Mobil 'Homme

Customer Reviews:

between swing and flamenco.......2006-11-06

It is a great fusion of various flavors, and as a result it is unexpected and entertaining all the way through.

Dan Hicks if he had grown up on flamenco, gypsy, Hot Club.......2006-03-23

Excellent! An updated European version of Dan Hicks, drawing on flamenco, gypsy, and Arabic strains rather than American roots to complement their Hot Club/cabaret. Exceptionally clean and crisp, to the point of irony. Stand-outs: tr 8-Sous la lune (sexy melancholy, deeply engaging, brooding). tr 9-L'Avenir incertain du Titanic (dark, spiky tango)

The best album I own.......2006-02-13

.

Admittedly, I'm not a music aficionado, but of the few dozen albums I own, this one far outshines the others. This is modern music at its best, a sensual melange of jazz, Latin, gypsy, cabaret, and North African/Arabic music.

Every Paris Combo output is simply a collection of brilliant artistry, but this one will be remembered most favourably by history.

.

Average customer rating:

Upbeat Jazz
If you like Pink Martini
Highly entertaining, keeps you jumping
Cool fusion continues, but start with one of their earlier CDs
Witty, urbane, funky beats

Motifs
Paris Combo
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

French Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Hang on Little Tomato
Sympathique
Latenight Betty
Living Room
Hey Eugene!

ASIN: B0006SSNPA
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

High, Low, In
Calender
Aquarium
Ennemis Siamois
Etoile Pale
Touriste D'une Vie
Baguee
Motus
Reflet
Prete A Porter
Baron De Chaise
Discordance
Aleas
Je Ne Sais Qui Fumer

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:

Upbeat Jazz.......2007-06-24

Paris Combo is such a great upbeat jazz group that you can listen to liven up your day. Put this cd on and it is sure to put you in a good mood. A great combination to go along with anyone who listens to Pink Martini.

If you like Pink Martini.......2006-05-29

You'll love this CD. Obviously you don't have to know a language to enjoy music sung in it. The happy tune of this jazzy CD will make you want to dance in your car, as you make up words so that you can sing along.

Highly entertaining, keeps you jumping.......2006-05-20

I bought this CD on the basis that several reviewers indicated that if a listener liked the works of Pink Martini, that they would like this CD by Paris Combo. Well, they are right.

Many of the things I like about Pink Martini are present here. The work is delightful, playful, fun, and danceable. You will hear the influence of jazz, pop, swing, tango, and sophisticated lounge music. In one song you will hear Kurt Weil's influence and then in the next you hear the nightclub music found in 1940 gangster films. The range of music keeps you on your toes - but all in fun. Great for a cocktail party or to get yourself going on a Saturday morning.

Belle Du Barry, the vocalist, has great presentation. All the lyrics are in French.

Cool fusion continues, but start with one of their earlier CDs.......2006-03-23

They sound too satisfied and confident in their fusions here. The sharp edge of surprise I detect in their earlier work is absent here. This work is lighter, popper, loungier than earlier work, to its detriment. Still, the cool fusion continues-Hot club, boulevard, bossa nova, American swing.... Close listening reveals shifts from one style to another in almost every song, so they're still mixing it up. Maybe the edges are easier to see. Stand-outs: tr 7-Baguée (Big American driving beat subverted by quick trip-tongued French vocal, Gypsy finger-picked guitar). Très cool. tr 9- Reflet (Quick 30s Gypsy-viper instrumental). tr 14- Je ne sais qui fumer (Simple American blues with a cool, Parisian jaunt, swagger). [50:30]

Witty, urbane, funky beats.......2006-02-13

Paris Combo's latest album is a tour of another world, a forgotten era, when music moved your heart but was classy and seductive at the same time.

There is no one today producing a sound like this. Their music will stay with you; it is mesmerising.

Average customer rating:

Splendid
Hip, hot, rooted in tradition, cutting edge--and fun!

Paris Combo
Paris Combo
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Living Room
Motifs
Hang on Little Tomato
Sympathique
Latenight Betty

ASIN: B000AXWH9Y
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

On N'a Pas Besion
Moi, Mon Ame Et Ma Conscience
Je Reve Encore
Les Portes De L'ennui
Irenee
Interlude Potzi
Istanbul
Le Roi De La Foret
St. Exuberant
Si J'avais Ete
Ainsi Soit-il
Valse D'Amour
Obliques
Je Suis Un If
Berry-Bouy

Customer Reviews:

Splendid.......2006-08-03

I really like this CD. It's breezy, fun, acoustic (!), nostalgic... what more could one want?! If you are not familiar with Paris Combo, they are a jazz quintet from France. Belle du Berry supplies the singing, while the guys back her with an acoustic ensemble that blends American jazz and even a little swing with French chansons and even some Algerian / Moroccan music. To give you a little further idea, some of the guitar playing is in reminiscent of Django Reinhart. The sum total is an energetic, eminently listenable sound that will have you accompanying them, even if you don't know what she is singing because it is in French. This debut release is outstanding; in fact, I liked it so much I bought a copy for my brother, who liked it so much he, in turn, shared it with some co-workers. Buy it.

Hip, hot, rooted in tradition, cutting edge--and fun!.......2006-03-23

Quietly slick band with a fresh, inexperienced (that is to say, un-French, more American) vocaliste. Successful mix of Euro-pop, le Hot Club, and lounge. Serious boulevardiers take a big step back toward tradition from the Negresses Vertes and it works. Dramatic. Great fun. Stand-outs: tr 7-Istanbul (Arabic; play it with (1) Dan Hicks: I scare myself; (2) They Might Be Giants: Constantinople), tr 8-Le roi et le forêt (ska), tr 9-St. Exubérant (Spanish/Moorish); tr 15-Berry-Bouy (klezmer) [53:36]

Average customer rating:

Luxurious and Melting
Maybe the brightest band in the galaxy
IN LOVE
INFECTIOUS, CREATIVE, FUN...
Another gem

Attraction
Paris Combo
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

French Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Motifs
Hang on Little Tomato
Sympathique
Latenight Betty
Living Room

ASIN: B0000657YC
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

Mais Que Fait La Nasa?
Trois Petits Points
Traits De Caractere
Danse Des Esprits
Attraction
Lettre A P
Dans Les Bras D'un Loup
Berceuse Insomniaque
Pourquoi Les Vaches
Avril
Retroviseur
Escapade
Fibre De Verre

Amazon.com

There's a lot to like on Paris Combo's Attraction, the postmodern Parisian cabaret quintet's third album. As with previous efforts, the band updates the French chanson and gypsy swing tradition by adding a stylish hipster element that could be construed as French lounge music, but most of the arrangements for the album's 13 original tunes display a developing maturity that avoids gimmickry in favor of solid musicianship. Guitarist Potzi and trumpeter-pianist David Lewis in particular shine as tasteful soloists. Chanteuse Belle du Berry is convincing as well, sensually wrapping her voice around the French lyrics to project meaning even if you don't speak a lick of the language. Attraction also benefits from modern production touches and guest musicians, both of which add a lush new layer to the music that only enhances the band's depth and class. Leaving the winking self-awareness behind, Paris Combo has grown into a topnotch but still fun cabaret act. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Luxurious and Melting.......2006-03-16

Listening to Paris Combo jolts you out of daily existence into a world that lacks mediocrity and is infused with playful spontaneity. Vocalist Belle Du Berry's voice is sensual, fresh and smooth as vanilla syrup over strawberries. She captures the French "joie de vivre" and takes it to entirely new levels of joy that almost feel angelic.

Paris Combo is French, but has an international flair. At times jazzy and infused with Latin sensuality, it has an additional element of gypsy mystery. The sounds of the words melt into the music and it is sumptuous.

~The Rebecca Review

Maybe the brightest band in the galaxy.......2006-02-13

.

Paris Combo's third album is a tour of another world, a forgotten era, when music moved your heart but was classy and seductive at the same time. The second and third tracks from this disc are positively haunting.

There is no one today producing a sound like this. Their music will stay with you; it is mesmerising.

IN LOVE.......2005-05-22

I am so in love with this band and I do not even know French (althought my name is French :-)) I've alwaysed loved international music and this album hits the spot. I like to listen to it because it helps me learn the French Language (one of my loves!), BUT, I love it becasue it helps me express a side of myself that is uncommon to others, but common to me. I recomend it for the American, the Australian, the Asian, and Spanish, I recomend it to all!

INFECTIOUS, CREATIVE, FUN..........2003-05-21

...and there are plenty of other adjectives for this wonderful recording - I'm sure I'll find more to use before I'm done here. This was my first exposure to this group - and I flipped over it so much that I went back the next day and picked up their previous effort, LIVING-ROOM, which is a fine album as well.

Paris Combo is an extremely talented, vivacious five-piece whose members skillfully combine elements of various genres into their own sound: Parisian café music, Gypsy jazz, be-bop, cabaret and other forms swirl together in a mix that would prove unwieldy in the hands of many. They are all accomplished musicians, and very obviously in tune literally and figuratively with each other on many levels - each member finds a way to both shine and blend on every single track, without ever seeming to eclipse the contributions of the others.

All of the tracks are truly standouts - for the sake of brevity (I looked up the word, for those of you who might wonder...), I'll limit my comments on individual selections to four. On track 2, `Trois petits points', the band takes a breakneck 7/8 rhythm and makes it graceful and natural; tracks 7 and 10, `Dans les bras dun loup' and `Avril', respectively, have two of the loveliest melodies I've ever heard; track 12, the mostly instrumental `Escapade', allows each member to step up in either solo or duo sections - the guitar on this track will bring to mind the stylings of Django Reinhardt, and the tandem work between the scat vocal and upright bass is incredible.

Belle de Berry is the quintessential chanteuse (although she's not limited to that style alone), and she adds some very tasty accordion here and there. Potzi's guitar is astonishing - he's quick and precise where he needs to be, but he never plays without feeling, never like a machine. Multi-instrumentalist David Lewis (trumpet, bugle, piano, string arrangements and co-producer) is excellent on the keys and never overbearing in his brass playing - the production/arrangement values are especially fine and unique in several places where he sounds like he's almost off-stage from the rest of the group, a nice, very effective touch. Mano Razanajato provides a steady (but again, never mechanical) bottom on his upright bass, as well as contributing vocals; and François-François is always inventive, being alternately supportive and driving with his drums and percussion.

The whole thing comes together marvelously - and the spirit of this music is so strong and delightful that knowledge of French is not necessary to enjoy it (or to sense the humor in some of the songs, such as `Mais que fait la NASA?' (`...but who made NASA?'). Whenever I put this into the assortment of CDs I take in the car with me, I might as well leave everything else at home - it stays in the player for days.

Another gem.......2002-05-26

I am a HUGE Paris Combo fan. I have worn out their first two CDs because I listen to them constantly. I couldn't wait for Attraction to come out. And it is just as fantastic as their previous albums. These five are brilliant musicians and you can't help but dance to their rhythms and melodies. And if you ever get a chance to see them live... GO... you will not be disappointed, it will be the best concert of your life.

Average customer rating:

Brilliant!
very pretty ...
Great Live Band
Refreshing, fun, original, GREAT MUSIC!
An absolutely incredible concert

Live
Paris Combo
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Motifs
Living Room
Paris Combo
Latenight Betty
Hang on Little Tomato

ASIN: B00006LWRI
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

Istanbul
Ubiquite
Irenee
Lettre a P
Escapade
Le Roi de la foret
Mais que fait la Nasa?
Sous la lune
Pas a pas
Senor
Dans les bras d'un loup
Attraction
Living Room
Moi, mon ame et ma conscience

Amazon.com

Given that Paris is one of the great international hubs, it's not surprising that Paris Combo's music applies imported influences like Manouche (Gypsy) swing a la Django Reinhardt, American bebop, and North African rhythms to a base of sophisticated French chanson. The latter style, with its wistful balladry and dance-friendly two-steps, waltzes, and javas, is now a jealously guarded tradition, but these tunes are a modern take on what came before. The instrumentals are at once arch and utterly earnest. Similarly, although lead singer-lyricist Belle du Berry is the latest in an unbroken line of sly, kittenish female vocalists that includes Francoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, she's less of a fantasy figure; here is a woman who is in charge of how she presents herself. Fans of elegant cabaret music should snap this up. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!.......2005-08-31

Paris Combo Live album is a refreshing fusion of eclectic influences that results in a brilliant and energetic production! This is the first album of Paris Combo's that I have acquired, and I believe their originality of sound distinguishes them from the sometimes homogeneous popular music world. I am particularly fond of the second CD in this 2-CD set.

I have seen a number of reviews of Paris Combo's CDs that compare them with Pink Martini. I am a tremendous fan of Pink Martini, and while I can say with a fair amount of confidence that if you like Pink Martini, you will enjoy Paris Combo as well, I do believe each group's "sound" is distinctively different as the fusion influences differ.

very pretty ..........2004-02-16

album, that sounds live even more attractive, especially 'Irenee'. But there's another Live version in 2 CD's where twice more such a beautiful compositions. hihgly recommended juzzy funky french-driven music

Great Live Band.......2004-01-22

This is an excellent recording of an excellent performance by an excellent band. The musicians get to stretch out, making the songs even more compelling than on their studio albums. My only complaint is that the album is too short. Having seen them live several times, I was disappointed that more of their energy didn't come through on this CD. However...

...if you have a few extra bucks and can navigate a French website, I'd suggest buying this album from Amazon.fr. The French version is two discs long and captures the entire concert. The energy builds in a natural and inescapable way, Potzi takes a nice little solo guitar intro to one song, and the show culminates in a fun and bizarre jam called "Instant T."

Refreshing, fun, original, GREAT MUSIC!.......2003-06-04

I walked into the store, heard this CD playing, and had to buy it straightaway. It's one of the best music purchases I've made in a while: the CD is full of upbeat, fun, jazzy, latin-y, funky beats, great talent, and for the Francophones witty lyrics. Every track is good; put in on after a stressful day and will cheer you right up.

It's the type of CD you put on at a dinner party or cocktails and everyone loves it and asks who it is. I HIGHLY recommend it, and can't wait to catch them live here or in Paris!

An absolutely incredible concert.......2003-01-19

Paris Combo's live album is a document of what is often referred to as the most exuberant live show in the world. Listening to this performance - and it is a continuous performance, none of this chopping and changing from night to night - it is easy to agree.

By this time the band has three albums to draw from - their self-titled debut, "Living Room" and "Attraction". Without having heard the third release, it is clearly well worth purchase if the newer songs here are anything to go by. The audience clearly knows the music well and claps along to some sections as well as applauding the soloists. The band, meanwhile, verges on the telepathic as each musician solos in unpredictable directions. Vocalist Belle du Berry, the focus of much of the studio work, seems content to take slightly more of a back seat on several tracks - although this is not to say that she is out of things, her vocal displays are as sublime as ever.

The concert opens with "Istanbul", beginning with a mournful moan from - it would appear - bassist Mano. The audience is appreciative of this, and the energy level picks up rapidly throughout the piece. The second offering, "Ubiquite", is clearly a fan favourite as Australian-born pianist David Lewis's intro draws considerable audience response.
"Mais Que Fait La Nasa?", coming in approximately the middle of the performance, features some interesting drumming from Fracois. It has been described as "dub" in other places, and while I wouldn't attach that label to it, it is certainly deserving of a listen.

"Sous La Lune" is another track of interest. On the "Living Room" album, David Lewis's performance here sounds simply muted and unenthusiastic. Performed live, it is easy to understand why - his trumpet is partially submerged in a bowl of water! This unconventional effect sets the song off beautifully and is given a well-deserved round of applause.

Potzi's work on "Senor" is also much more visible here than on the "Living Room" performance. As a guitarist, he is often likened to Django Reinhart, and it is easy to see why during his solo on this track.

The final three tracks - the title tracks from "Attraction" and "Living Room" and the monster hit of "Moie, Mon Ame Et Ma Conscience" - are perfect. "Attraction" serves as a great promotion for its own album, while "Living Room", with du Berry's playful vocals leading the band forward, gets the audience clapping along and stamping their feet. From a musical standpoint, Potzi's solo is stretched out here and proves a real centrepiece to the song.

It is the 7-minute long "Conscience" which provides reason to purchase this album if nothing else has. Ever band member is given a section to shine in, Belle and Mano add extra verses - Mano singing in his native Malagasy - while Fracois and Potzi deliver very intricate solos. It is trumpeter/pianist Lewis who steals the show, though. From the moment he begins improvising around his trumpet figure to introduce the song, the listener can sense that he's about the pull something special out of the bag - and he doesn't disappoint. His trumpet solo exists several registers above anything else he's yet recorded, and then he switches to piano. Not only does he acquit himself wonderfully on this instrument, he also uses it to play a transposed version of the trumpet figure to lead back to Belle's singing. Not surprisingly, when Belle calls out "David Lewis", the applause and cheers go on for quite some time.
As an added extra, in the middle of one of the songs, he plays trumpet and piano at the same time.

One of the problems with live albums is that they often leave the listener - especially the dedicated fan - wanting more. Not in this case. Paris Combo leave the listener with a bemused smile on his face but certainly well and truly sated from the experience.

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue - Leonard Bernstein
An American In Paris - Leonard Bernstein
I. Sunrise
II. Painted Desert
III. On The Trail
IV. Sunset
V. Cloudburst
Prelude For The Brass - Benny Goodman
Fugue For The Saxes - Benny Goodman
Riffs For Everyone - Benny Goodman

Average customer rating:

Brilliant, hypnotic, haunting
Paris Combo is excellent, oui, oui!
Jazz ain't dead...
Just Incredible
The Shape of Jazz to Come?

Paris Combo
Paris Combo
Manufacturer: Tinder
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Living Room
Motifs
Live
Living Room
Sympathique

ASIN: B00000G408
Release Date: 1998-11-24

Tracks:

On n'a pas besoin
Moi, mon ame et ma conscience
Je reve encore
Les portes de l'ennui
Irenee
Interlude Potzi
Istanbul
Le roi de la foret
St Exuberant
Si j'avais ete
Ainsi soit-il
Valse d'amour
Obliques
Je suis un if
Berry-Bouy

Amazon.com

The smoky ambience of a Paris nightclub permeates this cabaret-tinged debut from Paris Combo, who come off as a Gallic version of Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, albeit with their own distinctive repertoire and reference points. These 15 originally penned songs draw from Gypsy, Italian, and Spanish influences along with the swing of Django Reinhardt and some cool-jazz licks as garnish. The five-person combo, fronted by the delightful Belle du Berry, features upright bass, piano, trumpet, xylophone, drums, and guitar, with Berry's light and quirky contemporary vocals especially notable on the torch songs. She has elements of Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf but simply does not carry their weight. The lyrics (all in French with no English translations) are intelligent and witty, matching the inventive music arrangements from this eclectic and very musical group that can swing with the best of them. Paris Combo are no mere nostalgia act--they plot an innovative course of their own making with nods to many artists and cultures. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant, hypnotic, haunting.......2006-02-13

.

Paris Combo's self-titled debut album is a tour of another world, a forgotten era, when music moved your heart but was classy and seductive at the same time.

There is no one today producing a sound like this. Their music will stay with you; it is mesmerising.

Paris Combo is excellent, oui, oui!.......2004-01-14

Paris Combo. What can I say of this band except that this CD, their self-titled debut, is definitely late-night Paris cabaret, at its best! The lead singer, Belle du Berry, has quite a vocal range, and as her voice trills upwards, and downwards, she can evoke the sounds of a Romanian gypsy traditonal song, or a smoky, mysterious late-night cabaret singer. And the music! As I listened to the music, it took me to other places! Yes, it took me to places such as Spain, at night, or to 1920's Paris! Yes! This is where Paris Combo can take you, just by listening! So, do give a listen. It is worth it. In fact, I am traversing the back streets of the Latin Quarter, in my head, as I listen to this CD. Yes, it is true! Paris Combo is excellent!

Jazz ain't dead..........2001-06-20

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.

Just Incredible.......2001-05-31

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.

The Shape of Jazz to Come?.......2000-12-19

I simply do not know anybody who does not like this album, although I also admit that most people I know are simply similar to me. Most likely, the gangsta rap demographic will not come out big for this one, and I would imagine that it falls short of the standards of many boy-band groupies, but if you like jazz, swing, world, rock, ska, or even punk, chances are that this group will simply amaze you.

Tracks:

Living Room
Terrien d'eau douce
Se
Homeron
Je suis sourde
Pas as
Ubiquite
Sous la lune
L'avenir incertain du Titanic
Si mon amour
Chez nous
Mobil'homme

Amazon.com

Whereas Paris Combo's self-titled debut leaned heavily on cabaret chic, Living Room sees them broadening their palette considerably, the sign of a band with more experience and a strong sense of adventure. So while sensuous limpid chanson remains their home turf, they also venture into the tortuous turns of "L'Avenir Uncertain du Titanic" and the North African-inflected "Mobil'homme." Potzi's guitar work is dazzling, influenced by Django Reinhardt, while the shadow of the legendary Hot Club of France--with its swing and subtlety--looms over the entire repertoire. Apart from being an excellent pianist, David Lewis has matured into a trumpet player of taste, adding gorgeous Miles Davis muted touches that veer songs into pure jazz while vocalist Belle du Berry imprints her personality everywhere. Living Room sees Paris Combo moving well beyond their origins, a band that continues to impress by growing by leaps and bounds. --Chris Nickson

Album Description

Paris Combo combines jazzy improvisation with a style that pays tribute to cabaret singers of the past. This Parisian quintet's clever compositions, clean arrangements and inspired lyrics is an exploration in the league of

flamenco and gypsy guitar riffs a la Django Rheinhardt, music of the orient, French pop, Spanish and Italian melodies. Paris Combo delivers with the freshness and vitality of modern swing.

Customer Reviews:

Totally good! .......2005-03-06

This wonderful album should be considered by all kinds of music lovers - from Classical music lovers to Jazz buffs to those who have started to become a little bored with Pop/Rock music!
Paris Combo, on this album, features wonderful and stylish vocals [from Belle, the sing/songwriter], very attractive and never bland instrumental accompaniments and the songs themselves are full of style and characer.

Along with the self-titled "Paris Combo" album, this is clearly my favourite so far! However, ALL of the Paris Combo albums are excellent and I enjoy hearing them at any time of the day or night.

I am a fan.

Fun at a party or alone.......2003-09-04

I really enjoy this CD for a fun loungy sound when I'm not in the mood for mainstream music. I would say if you like Pink Martini, you could well like this one.

Living Room.......2003-07-15

Adult music! That's what Paris Combo is. It's music for adults. It's sophisticated, it's refined, it has history, it has mystery. It's good, it's interesting. there's absolutely nothing juvenile about it and that's why I like it! Although I would love it if it had a good, strong base beat that made it easy to dance to.

Their best so far........2002-11-22

This is definately the best Paris Combo cd out there that I've heard. Sure "attraction" is a great cd, but it is just not as good as "Living-Room". The cd is in French and how can you go wrong?

Oui oui!.......2002-10-20

This is an excellent CD to have, but before you click to add this item to your shopping cart, I must, to keep my conscience, warn you that this CD is not only horrendously addictive, but may cause acute hallucinations that you're sipping wine in an intimate yet incredibly chic, tucked-away Parisian nightclub.

Take my case, for example. I have played these 12 tracks continuously for the past 2 weeks, and I have kept #6 (Pas a Pas) on repeat for 1/4 of that time (and imagined I possessed the talent to think of singing that never-failingly cool intro.) The lyrics are irrelevantly relevant, slyly clever, but I do not believe that not understanding French would detract from one's enjoyment. It is, afterall, rhythm that is built into the human subconscious, and the soul of Paris Combo lies in the quintet's talent of smooth, well-timed beats. My particular favorites include the quirkily cautionary "Living Room," the upbeat yet sad "Senor," the softly haunting "Sous la Lune," the drily humorous, swinging "Ubiquite," and of course, "Pas a Pas." I do have a professed weakness for all things French, but especially with this CD, I think I can display good reason for being such a Francophile.

Live
Average customer rating:
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Paris Combo
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

France | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
French Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009K8L7U
Release Date: 2005-08-23