Jeanne Mas: The French Madonna

Childhood:

     Jeanne Mas was born on February 28, 1958, in Alicante, Spain. She studied languages at the University of Nanterre. After one year of college studying Spanish and Italian, she dropped out at 18 years old and moved Rome. While she was living in Rome, she decided to take up dancing and acting classes. She also started nailing small roles in commercials and advertisements. She soon had her own talk show. Though she was involved in all of this, she knew that true passion was music.

Music Background:

     In 1979, at age 31, Jeanne Mas signed her first contract with RCA Italia. She then released her first single, "On the Moon". She recorded several 45's, one in English, and the others in Italian. After her contract with RCA, she signed one with the Major EMI Music France. She then released her new hit single, "Toute Premiere Fois" in 1984, which sold over 900,000 copies! In 1985, she released her self-titled album, "Jeanne Mas". The next year, she locked herself in a studio in Denmark, already having written her lyrics, to record her new album. She soon came out with "En Rouge Et Noir", which contained her newest hit single "Femmes d'Aujourd'hui", which instantly became a hit. It sold over 1 million copies! She went on tour in 1987, and then in 1988, she took a break from her music and the public eye, and she had a baby girl named Victoria. Then she got back to work on her music. In 1989 she released her new album called "Les Crises de L'ame". The album denounced the violence in the world. 1990 marked the release of "l'art des Femmes", her new album. Then in 1992, she had another baby, a baby boy named Christopher. All of her albums from 1993- 1995 were flops. Her record written in 1996 "Jeanne Mas &les Egoistes" went unnoticed. 

Influences and Inspirations:

     Jeanne Mas was always inspired by crimes against children, her talent, her success, and her life.

Awards:

     She was the winner of the award for Revelation of the Year. She was also the winner of the Best Female Artist of the Year. Both of these awards were won in the same awards ceremony, the very first Victoires de la Musique.

How does your musician's music reflect his or her time period? Was there anything happening in the world or music that influenced the music or sound?

I think it is interesting how she changed the way she looked so much throughout the years. She looks completely different now then she did when she wrote the song above this. She almost looks like she has kind of made herself look more like a country singer on the front of one of her newer albums. At one piont when she was writing she was involved in a dispute against crimes committed to children. She also wrote an album about how violent the world was in 87.

What do other viewers say about the musician in the comments on youtube?

• A superb editing is very successful and very talented. BRAVO! Friends of Alsace.
• It is very well done! I love the video and song! It's fantastic!

Coralie Clement: The Top Classic French Vocalist

     Growing up, music played a huge influence on Coralie Clement's life. Her brother, Benjamin was also a singer, and her father was a clarinetist. By the age of three, she could identify all orchestra instruments. Her inspirations was her brother. Her first album, released in 2001, was recorded of her singing her brother's songs and him playing guitar.



What about your musician's sound do you like? How does the sound affect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?

Coralie has a real talent. Her music is rejuvenating. It's relaxing but it has a nice bubbly happiness to it. She makes a beautiful flourish sound. Her music reminds me of Colbie Caillat or a sound like He is We. It is beautiful. It makes me really think about things. It makes you wonder. It would probably be one of those songs that I would put on my iPod and only play it when I'm studying in my room. It calms me down. She has her own unique genre. It's a mix between classic 60's pop, and soft French romantic pop, like something you may hear at a fancy restaurant in Paris.

What do other viewers say about the musician in the comments on YouTube? Find two comments in French and translate them. 

1. "La vie est belle... Grande chanson, agréable à l'oreille. Merci et meilleures salutations:)"

Translation: Life is good... Great song, it is pleasant to the ear. Thank you and best regards:)

2.  La meilleure musique romantique de tous les temps dans Internet, va te plaire, il est excellent...!!! cette musique me fait rêver ... je suis plus moi quand je l'écoute.

Translation: The best romantic music of all time on the Internet, will please you, it's excellent...!!! This music makes me dream...I am more of myself when I listen. 

Yelle-You Enjoy Life

Childhood- Julie Budet was born and raised in saint-brieuc france.
Music Backround- Julie met producers Jean-François Perrier and Tanguy Destable and made a song originally called "Short Dick Cuizi"and put it up on myspace. It became very popular and it was renamed "Je Veux Te Voir". It hit the charts at number 4 in France for a while and the band became well known. The band was origianlly named YEL for you enjoy life, but had to be changed to YELLE because there was a band already called YEL. Their first album was called Pop Up and was released in 2007 and the band toured the world for three years. They released another album called Safari Disco Club this year and are currently tourning the world once again,
Influences and Inspiration- YELLE is a fruity combination of tecno, 80's, pop and club music all in one. They are influenced by everyone from Soop Dog to Prince.
Popularity/Awards- They became popular through myspace and Katy Perry had them open for her on her UK California Dreams Tour. They were asked to sing in english but refused because they "weren't familiar with the language".

What about your musicians sound do you like? How does the sound affect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?
I like that they can take 8o's and turn it more modern and fun to watch. When i listen to them sing it makes me feel curious about how old they were when they made all of this music. It almost makes me want to try to dance to it. Yelle's music reminds me of stepping back into a fench club in the 80's. I love the beat and tempo of their songs even though i don't understand what they are singing about.

Yelle: Kings of Techno

Childhood: Julie Budet, the girl behind the band was born and raised and discovered in Saint-Brieuc, France with her two other band members (couldn't find anything else ):)

Music Background: The band was started by Julie Budet (Yelle) who met a music writer Jean-François Perrier (GrandMarnier) in 2000 and began producing music in 2005. A third member Tanguy Destable (Tepr). Their first song, “Je veux te voir” became popular after uploading it to Myspace. Its positive responses attracted many record labels. Which led to their album release of Pop Up in 2007.

Influences and Inspirations: The bands influences were mainly techno and dance/electronic music. They were just a group of friends that wanted to make it big, but they are making a remake to Katy Perry's “Hot 'N Cold”

Popularity and awards; The band became popular from their posts on Myspace which led to their discovery. Yelle was nominated for many awards for a few songs but never won any (couldn't find what awards they were)

Questions

A) This band is a very upbeat and techno type. This kind of music just gets me pumped up and want to party and listening to this music is just fun. It kind of reminds me of Breathe Carolina and Bassnectar. Two techno/ upbeat american bands

B) This music reflects a more futuristic world, which is kind of what we live in now. Techno gives me a sense of futuristic styles and what life will be like in the future.

Claude François: King of French Disco (Late 70's)

Claude François was born in Ismailia, Egypt in 1939. When Claude was 12, his father was transferred to Port Tawfik, on the shores of the Red Sea. He and his sister, Josette, spent the rest of their childhood there. Claude’s mother was very musical and talented and made Claude take piano and violin lessons; he also learned to play the drums on his own. His mother was his inspiration. He learned to love music from her.

After a while, the François family moved to Monaco. Claude found a job there as a bank clerk by day and was a drummer in an orchestra during the night. He played in many luxury hotels along the French Riviera. One night, he was offered the chance to sing during a show. His performance was well received and he began performing in night-clubs. He met his wife while performing in one of those night-clubs. He married Janet Woolcoot.

When Claude François grew tired of singing in local bars, he widened his sites on Paris. His records were picked up by a teenage radio show “Salut les Copains”. That was his big break. After that he recorded a string of hit singles. Claude François fans were growing. Young teens pressed up against the stage at his shows. He liked to take American songs and adapting them into his own. One of his famous adaptations was Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. He toured all across Europe, Africa and Canada until he collapsed on stage from exhaustion in 1971. The only rewards he received were that many of his songs reach number one on the charts.His death was a terrible one. He died at the age of 39. On Saturday, the 11^th of March of 1978, while taking a bath he noticed a light bulb was not completely straight. He tried to fix it, but his hands were wet and he was electrocuted. That was a sad day for France. The French felt like they lost a “national treasure.”

What about your musician's sound do you like? How does the sound affect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?

What i like about Claude François' music is its light, bubbly feeling. It makes you want to get up a dance, especially with "Belles Belles Belles". It makes me, personally, happy. "Belles Belles Belles" is one of those songs that i would sing along to if it was played on the radio. I might just buy it off of iTunes, and yes it is on iTunes. Its sound reminds me of the old days. I can imagine a couple in the 70's doing the twist to that song.

How does your musician's music reflect his or her time period? Was there anything happening in the world or music industry that influenced the music or sound?

When Claude François first moved to Paris, rock 'n roll was the "big thing." His first songs were rock 'n roll. They were a bit heavier and had more emotion to them. Then the Beatles invaded. They added to the rock 'n roll hype. During the disco era, Claude François' music lighten up and had simple lyrics and a rhythm to dance to. I personally like his disco music. The disco music is simple. It has a beat for dancing. The Beatles' music was like, too. They had simple lyrics and a rhythm to move to. I guess Claude François was influenced by the Beatles.

Amadou et Mariam: "The blind couple from Mali"

Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia are two blind African singers from Mali. Amadou became blind when he was sixteen and Mariam became blind when she was five from untreated measles. They met while they were both attending Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind. They found that they both had a love for music and became inseparable.
They married in 1980 and made their first recordings. Their music started out as just guitar and vocals, and by 1985, they became well-known for playing Malian blues. One of their famous and successful albums in Paris, France, was titled Sou Ni Tile. They recorded the official anthem for the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Herbert Grönemeyer, named “Celebrate the Day.” They came to America and played in the Lollapalooza music festival in 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Also in 2008, they released their hit, “Sabali,” which placed number fifteen on Pitchfork Media’s Top 100 Best Tracks of 2008. Amadou and Mariam received the award for Best Group at the Songlines Music Awards in 2009. Their latest appearance was in February 2011, performing in U2’s tour in Johannesburg and Cape Town as a support act.

What about your musician’s sound do you like? How does the sound affect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?

I like Amadou and Mariam’s music style because it’s different. In America, a lot of songs sound the same and it begins to get bothersome so listening to their music takes me away from that. Their song “Sabali” is my personal favorite because it has a happy beat. Their sounds include a lot of different instruments from many places including Egypt, Africa, and America. I think that adds to their music a lot and is definitely a part of their fame. It reminds me of a book my class and I read in 8th grade about a young girl in Yemen who is forced into marriage at a young age.

What do other viewers say about the musician in the comments on YouTube?

“j’adore :)” – I love :)
"j'avais oublie comme cette musique est trop relaxante” – I had forgotten as the music is too relaxed.
“je suis totalement d'accord avec toi!!! leur musique est trop cool” – I totally agree with you!!! Their music is too cool
“J'aime bien ce morceau” – I like this song
“A wonderful beautiful song. I love it. La vie est belle!” – Life is good!

Carla Bruni: The New Jackie O with a Musical Twist

Carla Bruni on the cover of her second album, No Promises

Carla Bruni Tedeschi Sarkozy was born in Turin, Italy, on December 23rd, 1967. Her birth was the product of a six year affair between her mother, concert pianist Marisa Borini, and a young classical guitarist. However, legally, she is the daughter of her mother and classical composer Alberto Bruni Tedeschi. Considering her parents' professions, Carla was most definitely exposed to music at an early age. She was taught guitar at age nine, an instrument that would remain close to her heart, and probably piano by her mother.

The heiress of her grandfather's tire company, CEAT, Carla was born into a comfortable lifestyle. She and family (which included her sister Valeria and her brother Virginio) moved to France in 1975 when dangerous Marxist-Leninist revolutionaries in the area threatened their safety. Carla grew up in France from age seven and then attended boarding school in Switzerland for high school. In 1985 she moved to Paris to study art and architecture, but left after two years to pursue a modeling career.

Carla in "Vogue"in the 1990s, with Linda Evangelista and Naomi Cambell.

Signing with City Models at age nineteen, Carla went on to model for Christian Dior, Givenchy, Sonia Rykiel, Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel, and Versace. By the 1990s, Carla was among the 20 highest-paid fashion models in the world. She dated rockers like Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger, who introduced her to the bohemian yet glitzy world of show business. In love, she quit the fashion world, and entered the music business.

Carla started out by sending her lyrics to singer-songwriter Julien Clerc, who was so impressed that he used them for six tracks on his 2000 album, Si j'étais elle. In return, he introduced her to his agent Bertrand de Labbey and producer Louis Bertignac. Together, they began to craft what would be Carla's debut album. Her love of guitar and breathy, sensual voice was exactly what Bertignac was looking for at the time. Carla, eager to perfect every aspect of the album, worked diligently with a voice teacher, while writing her own lyrics for the tracks.

Carla in a publicity shot for the release of "Quelqu'un m'a dit"

The lyrics of Carla's songs were almost always reflections from her personal life. One in particular, "Raphael" was inspired by a previous relationship with philosopher Raphael Enthoven. The song was lively and sweet, and was a favorite from the album. But in"Quelqu'un m'a dit" (Someone Told Me)--which would later be the title track of the album--the narrator is questioning whether a relationship was real love or not, yet still yearning for the other person, showed Carla's depth as a writer.

In 2002, Carla Bruni released Quelqu'un m'a dit, to Europe and Francophone countries. It debuted at number one on the French Album Chart, spending thirty-four non-consecutive weeks in the top ten, and also reached the top ten in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, and Chile. Clearly, Bruni had shown she was more than "just a pretty face". And while her album attracted her admirers in the fashion world, others who had never heard of her were still enthralled--and surprised--by her talent. As Charlie Gillett of the Observer said,

"If I had been sent a record by Liz Hurley or Kate Moss, would I even have listened? I doubt it. On the contrary, however, I found Carla's songs all the more remarkable and engaging now that I knew her background."

First Lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and President Nicolas Sarkozy

Though Carla's second and third albums, No Promises and Comme si de rien n'était (As If Nothing Had Happened) were more commercially successful, they were never-the-less inspired. No Promises contained songs with the poems of Emily Dickinson and William Butler Yeats, and many of the songs Comme si de rien n'était were allusions of the exciting and glamorous life Carla was living after becoming First Lady of France. Public interest in America grew in her music (and her fashion sense) after the election of her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy, in 2007. As First Lady, Carla has started the Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Foundation which has become involved in numerous charities, helping to promote literacy, music, culture, and education.

Carla with Queen Elizabeth II, and with President and First Lady Obama.

What about your musician's sound do you like? How does it affect your mood? What does it remind you of?

To me, Carla Bruni's overall sound is the epitome of "French". It's classic and glamorous and a bit jazz-esque, but also sort of bohemian. She could be in a dimly lit cafe in Paris, in a fabulous evening gown and white gloves crooning into an old-fashioned microphone. Or, she could be a farmer's daughter living in the French countryside, strumming her guitar and singing out her window. Her breathy voice has the texture of silk, which reminds me of Norah Jones and Florence Welsh.

What does your musician sing about? What are some major themes or subjects of the songs?

Since Carla wrote her own lyrics, her songs were usually reactions to personal events in her own life. In "Raphael" she was wistfully and playfully remembering her real-life relationship with Raphael Enthoven. ("Quatre consonnes et trois voyelles / c'est le prénom de Raphaël," ***"Four consonants and three vowels / that's the first name of Raphaël) Then, in "Quelqu'un m'a dit" she was probably expressing her confusion and regret over their break-up. ("On me dit que nos vies ne valent pas grand chose, / Elles passent en un instant comme fanent les roses." ***"They tell me that our lives are not worth very much, / They pass in an instant as roses wilt."). Carla also wrote about childhood memories, the "isolation" of socialism, and the use of drugs in the music and fashion business.

Music:

http://www.carlabruni.com/

The Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Foundation:

http://www.carlabrunisarkozy.org/en/

Dalida: The Beautiful Tragedy

Dalida is a Italian/Egyptian/French singer. Dalida is of Italian blood, but grew up in Cairo, Egypt. She was born on January 17, 1933. Dalida's start in her career was when she secretly signed up for a pageant and won. She then became noticed for her stunning facial features. Dalida soon was discovered by French director Marc de Gastyne and introduced into the movie business in Cairo. Dalida wanted to continue her motion picture career in Paris, France. Her career in the TV industry did not last too long.


Dalida's true career was singing. Singing was also the most successful for her because of her sensual and tragically soothing voice. She performed an entire month at the Olympia theater in Paris. Some of her first songs that were proven to be a success are "Gondolier" and "Comme Prima". Dalida was well known throughout Europe for her unique voice.

Dalida was also constantly in search of who she was. She wanted to know the truth about herself and to have peace. She would regularly take trips to India to speak with Wise Men and to follow their teachings.

Dalida had several relationships with men and many of the men she dated had committed suicide. This caused Dalida a lot of heartache and depression. Dalida was also exuahasted because of the tiring 30 year career. All of this bottled up sadness led to her tragic death. Dalida took an overdose of barbiturates and then followed by a glass of whiskey on May 3, 1987. Her suicide note said "Life has become unbearable for me... Forgive me".

Dalida won many awards through out her life and career. She was the first artist to have her photo on a single, first artist to win a gold record in France, many gold discs, Platinum Oscar from Italy and the Golden She-Wolf, Golden Lion in Germany, Radio Monte Carlo Oscar 1959, Grand Prix for the best Italian song, first to receive a Platinum Disc, Golden Caravel in Italy, and she also was the first singer to get a Diamond Disc.

Questions:

What about your musician's sound do you like? How does the sound affect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?

I like Dalida's soothing and sensual voice. It's so buttery and smooth. At the same time, her music can tend to make me have sadness sweep over me because you can almost hear the hurt and pain in her voice. When I listen to her music, I am reminded of an old black & white movie with a tragedy scene.

What do other viewers say about the musician in comments on YouTube? Find two comments in French and translate them and include in post.

1. C'est vrai, avec le temps va, tout s'en va....

True, time goes, everything goes.

2. j'adore cette chanson, elle est apaisante.. ;)

I love this song, it's soothing.. ;)

Zazie-Madison McElheney

Isabelle Marie Anne: Zazie

Zazie was born on April 18 1864, He mother was a music teacher and her father was an architect. At home, they listened to Georges Brassens as well as classical music. She was inspired by her own personal experiences. Her family was very creative and at a young age she discovered Jacques Brel and Barbara Zazie played the violin for ten years, and the piano and guitar.

She began to have a strong urge to write and produce her own music . At the age of four wrote her first song and her first full song at age 8. She stared in her first play "Le Petite Fille" and music producer, James B. Biega was in the audience who signed her directly after her music number. With the help of her new producer Zazie recorded many hit songs after that.

Zazie tried to start her music carreer by signing with Phonogram in 1991. Shortly after in 1992 she produced Je, tu, ils which was her first album recorded in the studio with Peter Gabril. The single on her album "Sucré salé" was ranked #46 on the Top 50. Along with that, Zazie was awarded 'Best New Female Pop Artist of the Year' at the Victories de la musique the next year.

With 6 successful abums, her music spread through France and was recognized on the radio weekly. Zazie produced with many talented frence musicians and co worked with other popular artist. Each time she collabortaed or worked with a new producer, her music hit the charts hard and France was sucked in by her enchanting voice. Zazie also had a baby girl, Lola on August 24th 2002.

a. What about your musician's sound do you like? How does the sound effect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?

Zazies voice is very soft and calming. I like how softly she speaks but how her french accent is clearly heard. Her very french accent makes me think of being on the streets of France strolling around on a beautiful day. Her music almost translates to something similar to John Mayer that is very calming and soft. I would put on Zazies music while I was relaxing or in a calm and mellow mood.

b.What do the viewers say about the musician in the comments on YouTube? find two comments in French and translate.

From the comments on youtube about Zazies music, people really enjoy her as much as I do. one person posted "Cette chanson est magnifique, je vais le définir comme ma sonnerie" In English this person is saying "This song is beautiful, I'll set it as my ringtone"

Someone else said "J'aime que la moitié im français parce que j'ai cette belle langue pour s'adapter à cette beau visage" meaning I love that I'm half French because I have this beautiful language to adapt to this beautiful face.

People in France seem to really enjoy her her music

Citation:

http://www.rfimusic.com/artist/chanson/zazie/biography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zazie

http://www.europopmusic.eu/France_pages/Zazie_def.html

Culture project 2: Brigitte Fontaine

Brigitte Fontaine: Diva of the Paris"underground" Brigitte was born June 24,1939, in Morlaix, France. She grew up in a highly cultural home enviroment-both of her parents were primary school teachers. Brigitte was introduced to music at a young age, yet her first passion was not music it was drama. During one of her performances she was spotted by the director of a professional theatre group. He was so impressed by her that he offered the young girl a job on the spot, but her parents were loath to let her leave school at such a young age. Not giving up on her dream to be and actrees in the mid 60's Brigitte went to paris and signed up for a course in drama school. In the midst of her theater studies she discovered that she still wants to be on stage but not as an actress but as a singer.By 1963 Brigitte's alternative style had become famous in Paris,but she still was working on her theatre. She eneded up to a play with Jacques Higelin. They both had a love for theatre and alternative music, which made there partership much stronger. By 1965 they both were in the studio working on a joint album entitled "Douze Chansons Avant Le Deluge." Three years after the success of Higelin and Fontaine's joint album , Brigitte would return to the studio to record her debut album called, " Brigitte Fontaine est Folle." (Brigitte Fontaine is mad!) This album established Fontaine as one of the most eccentric stars on the French music scene.
At the end of the 60's the singer's passion for avant-garde experimentation would take her back to the studio to record "Comme à la radio" (which went on to become the best-known album of her entire career).In 1971 Brigitte Fontaine was back in the media spotlight again, although this time not for her music but for her personal beliefs. That year the singer signed a high-profile petition together with 343 other women, stating that she had terminated an unwanted pregnancy before abortion became legal in France (in 1975). Brigitte Fontaine would continue to take a stand on various political and humanitarian issues throughout the rest of her career, demonstrating on behalf of AIDS sufferers, homeless people and 'les sans-papiers' (France's growing population of illegal immigrants).

What do other viewers say about the musician in the comments on Youtube? Find two comments in French and translate* them and include in post.

1. J'aime bien le rythme, quelle chanson et quelle dame. Merci pour cette chanson. J'aime beaucoup Brigitte.

Translation-I like the rhythm, what song and what a lady. Thank you for this song. I love Brigitte.

2. Une chanson magnifique  et qui n'a pas pris une ride!

Translation- A beautiful song and has not aged a bit!

What about your musician's sound do you like? How does the sound affect your mood? What does the sound remind you of?

I really like her voice, something about it is very graceful and soft. It affects my mood in a good way , i just like to listen to it. It reminds me of something youd hear in a spa to relax to.