Last night we ended at “Bouquet du Nord” in the mostly Black neighborhood Saint-Raoul. Violinist Stéphane Grappelli lived opposite this cafe and used to come in for a drink and jam with the tziganes.
These guys were terrific here kicking ass on “Sweet Georgia Brown” (I couldn’t resit exclaiming “take me home Daddy!” after the guitar solo at 1:20)
We had a lovely time at Le Bouquet du Nord. Hope to visit again for gypsy jazz.
We attempted to hear hear some music at a popular jazz club in Paris last night. I was thinking Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto’s “Corcovado.” Instead of “quiet nights and quiet stars,” there were millions of cars beeping soccer chants (think “Ole, Ole” being performed at your steering wheel.) It was absolutely bonkers. C’est la vie.
Needing a to rest our weary legs as we were walking to the Rodin Museum, a Paris bicycle-taxi driver offered his services. We accepted, foolishly not agreeing to a fee right away. Upon entering his chariot, the driver asked, “You like music?” He spoke in a heavy Eastern European accent (later telling us he was from Romania.)
I replied “Oui, I like music!”
“I have music!” he said through a wide grin.
Our lean and lanky driver then dialed his boombox to “11” and and away we went – pedaling thru the busy Paris streets along the Left Bank, and blasting Techno, Rap and Club music, while Linda danced.
Once we arrived at our destination, our new Romanian friend definitely over-charged us, Linda says “we got taken for a ride, twice!” But it was worth it.!
More pictures from the Rodin later.. The museum was wonderful.
I love Pauline Croze’ new Bossa Nova record. Hope to see her in Paris next week!
Love this Saturday Night Live “Les Jeunes de Paris” skit – updating the dance scene from Godard’s “Band of Outsiders.”
Emma Stone is nearly as cute as Anna Katrina, and Camille’s song “Ta Douleur” kicks some serious fr’ass!
Camille, who has been called France’s answer to Bjork, recorded her debut album “Le Sac des Filles” in 2002. While her first album remains her best, everything I’ve heard from her since is at very least interesting, and occasionally magnificent.
Les Jeunes De Paris from pete theman on Vimeo.
I love this scene from Broadcast News (1987) featuring my favorite comic actor, Albert Brooks. The song he is singing is “Edition Speciale” by the French singer Francis Cabrel. Linda and I have tickets to see Cabrel perform at the Festival de Nimes at an ancient Roman amphitheatre that was constructed in 70AD.
Pas De Merde 