Putumayo Presents Paris – The Postmodern Chanson

Putumayo World Music compilation CDs have been peppered through my music collection for around ten years, when I was first introduced in 1993 to a collection called  Best of World Music Vol. 1 and discovered artists like Miriam Makeba and Gilberto Gil, that literally put a bounce in my step during long days at work. It has stood the test of time and is still one of my favorite music CDs. I have since been a fan of this 13 year old music publishing company, because of their themed music collections, which either give you a sampling of music in a specific region of the world, or beckon you to expand your musical palate by serving up CDs mixing music from various countries and traditions. Putumayo’s newest French-themed offering, the twelve-track Putumayo Presents Paris , is any Francophile’s delight. It melds the traditonal French chanson with modern artists and the result is a fresh take on what we like to call “cafe music.” You can’t get better than the surprisingly samba-infused beats which weave their ways into more traditional French accordion sounds or soft guitar. For those of us unfamiliar with some of the more current French recording artists, this is an upbeat collection that serves as a fine entree to the voices of such vocalists as Carla Bruni, or Aldebert, both of whom have a seductive raspiness to their voice, as though they are both patrons and performers of the cafes we imagine they might be singing in. Thomas Fersen’s Au Cafe de la Paix is one of my very favorites. Keren Ann and Myrtille’s voices come across as at once coy and sultry. Clear and catchy, Les Pages and Jardin d’Hiver are lovely listening. Aldebert’s Carpe Diem is a bouncy melody that conjures up hopeful images — perhaps of a walk through the city on a brilliantly sunny Parisian day — even if you don’t speak French.  Pascale Parisot’s Je Reste Au Lit lilts with a similarly happy- go-lucky melody despite its playfully ennuilaced lyrics. Coralie Clement is almost certain to win over some new fans with the addition of Samba De Mon Coeur Qui Bat, from her 2002 album Salle De Pas Perdus. Those with really keen ears will remember it from the wonderful soundtrack to the movie Something’s Gotta Give. Clement is one of the stars of the album. In the tradition of Putumayo, the CD includes a booklet with more information on each recording artist to further entice you, which is a nice addition — although some may find it a disappointment that it does not include full lyrics. This CD takes me back to another much-loved French music compilation I had on cassette in the early 90s as a student of the French (Compagnie Internationale Express, unfortunately no longer being published), when I began singing along with Vanessa Paradis and Claudia Phillips. There’s nothing like being introduced to new artists. This is another can’t miss compilation from Putumayo. My take is simple: get it onto your iPod, into your car, your home, onto your playlist. Get it, and enjoy a beautiful aural escape that will leave its invisible impression on you like curls of smoke from a cafe in the heart of Paris.   Putumayo Presents Paris is being released on April 18th. You can order Putumayo Presents Paris now on Amazon.com.