Dimanche 27 janvier 2008
7
27
01
2008
19:12
I've always been very disappointed by anthology's tracklists of French music made by and for foreigners (like this one, this one or this one). I'm gonna try to show what is the very best of
popular French music according to French people, in its diversity and not only focusing on old chanson française. I have gathered some of the best songs of the best French artists.
Obviously, everybody won't agree with this selection but I think it gives a good overlook of what French music really is, from the great songwriters of the 30s to new sounds such as "French
touch" or underground hip-hop.
It would be awsome if other bloggers upload a mixtape with what they think is the best of their homeland's music.
For a whole blog about French music, visit French-Kisses
Volume 4
Some of them are famous abroad (Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Air) but most of them didnt get popular (except for some in other French speaking
countries). I will also mention some belgian artists who've influenced widely the French music and made most of their career in
France. I didnt put any songs of contemporary classical music but there are some great French composers such as Pierre Boulez, Henri Dutilleux, Erik Satie, Edgar Varèse or Oliver
Messiaen.
The 30s and 40s
Charles Trenet, the founder of modern chanson.
Edith Piaf, the most famous French singer abroad with a powerfull heartbreaking voice.
Django Reinhardt who mixed gispy music, French musette and jazz to create jazz manouche, is one of the greatest
guitarist of all time.
Other stars of that time are Tino Rossi and Josephine Baker.
The 50s
Boris Vian, singer and writer of the St Germain-des-Prés time, he introduced jazz and
rock in chanson.
Georges Brassens, the master of chanson française who has given the greatest masterpieces to the genre. He and
the other great French songwriter Léo Ferré introduced poem and slang into chanson.
Jacques Brel, the belgian singer is the third master of French chanson with Brassens et Ferré.
The 60s and 70s
Johnny Hallyday, inspired by american rock'n'roll, he sang widely popular pop songs and became the first big teen
idol. Other famous yéyé artists are Eddy Mitchell, Antoine, Claude françois, Françoise Hardy.
Serge Gainsbourg, first created a real French adult pop and oppened it to many styles (reggae, rock, hip-hop,
jazz, classical music).
Magma is the most famous French prog-rock.
The 80s
Bérurier noir
is the greatest underground punk rock band, in the same time violent and festive. Listen also to Garçons
Bouchers, Mano Negra, Negresses Vertes, Ludwig von 88, Rita Mitsouko, Pigalle.
Alain Bashung, sang a intellectual and dark music between rock, experimentations and chanson
française.
The 90s
Mano Solo mixed the power of alternative rock with sensibility and songwriting of old chanson. Listen also to Têtes raides, Debout
sur le Zinc, Négresses Vertes. For a blend of chanson, rock or reggae, listen to Tryo, Louise Attaque, Sinsemilia, Massilia Sound system.
NTM, most known and pionneer of French rap who defined the sound of what we call French hip-hop . For other
great old-school French rap, listen to IAM, Assassin, Mc Solaar.
The 00s
TTC, leader of the new French rap, influenced by anticon's artists, pop and house. Listen also to Klub des Loosers, La Caution, James Dellek, Saïan Supa Crew.
Air, influenced by house and rock of the 70s (like Serge Gainsbourg) is one of the famous member of the French
house called “French touch”. Listen also to Daft Punk, Motorbass, DJ Cam, Laurent Garnier.
Nosfell used human beatboxing, guitar and cello to give a deep and original music. Other good bands in Dub/abstract hip-hop/jungle are High Tone, le peuple
de l’herbe or Ez3kiel.
Tracklist:
Charles - Trenet - La Mer (The Sea)
Edith Piaf - L'Accordéoniste (The Accordeonist)
Reinhardt and Grappeli - Les Yeux Noirs (Black Eyes)
Boris Vian - Le Déserteur (The Deserter)
George Brassens - La Prière (The Prayer)
Jacques Brel - Amsterdam
Johnny Hallyday - Killy Watch
Serge Gainsbourg - En Melody (In Melody)
Magma -Magma Kobaia
Bérurier Noir - Hopital Lobotomie (Lobotomy Hospital)
Alain Bashung - La Nuit Je Mens (The Night I Lie)
Mano Solo - Allez Viens (Come On)
NTM - Seine Saint-Denis Style
TTC - Batards
Sensibles (sensitives bastards)
Air - Dead Bodies
Nosfell - Your Servant To The Ground
Download
Derniers Commentaires