Henriette and Elie Zmirou “Plantons la Vigne” (Planting the Vine)
While on assignment at the UN in New York in 1954, French couple Henriette and Elie Zmirou remembered their homeland by singing folk songs. Henriette learned all of hers from her mother, grandmother, and people among whom she lived in Normandy. The lyrics of these unaccompanied solos and duos are translated into English. (Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage)
Chanson Du Jour: “Foux Da Fa Fa” performed by Flight of the Conchords. Brilliant!
Chanson Du Jour: “The Maze” performed by Noa Moon, 2013
Emel Mathlouthi at La Cigale “A L’infini”
I am listening to a lot of Yael Naim of late, and I was excited to find this video of Yael performing with New Orleans-based cellist (playing the banjo here) Leyla McCalla, formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I love this tune – the only song on Naim’s album “Older” where she sings in Hebrew. Naim was born in Paris in 1978. When she was 4, her family immigrated to Israel and settled in Ramat Hasharon. In May 2004, she decided to settle permanently in Paris.
Chanson Du Jour: Yael Naim with Leyla McCalla – “Ima”
Chanson Du Jour: Benjamin Biolay “Little Darlin”
Beneath Benjamin Biolay’s Gainsbourg-inspired whisper, the artist samples from The Carter Family’s “Little Darlin, Pal of Mine.” The Carter Family were the very first vocal group to become country music stars in America – so how cool is this? Très!
I really like Biolay. And he’s the only guy in the world who had an affair with Carla Bruni, but maybe wished he had the affair with his ex- Mother-in-Law (Catherine Deneuve.) Of course, none of this is my affair!
Pas De Merde 