Isbn: 2907670379
Sales Rank: 723047
Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. History - General History    3. Pictorials    4. Travel   

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Asin: B0000084LJ
Sales Rank: 487505
Subjects:  1. World Music   

Editorial Review

Reviews (2)

Still FABULOUS after 40 years !!
Giddy Can-Can type chansonettes, soulful ballads, Edit Piaf-esque hymns to Paris, Josephine Baker, at the peak of her vocal powers,delivers them all with consummate mastery and apparent ease.Her rich, creamy mezzo and rapid even vibrato are the perfect vehicle for these chansons, and her timing and dynamic expression are impeccable. Far from the twittery interpretations of her early recordings, these songs are the works of a mature master.

Sure, some of the orchestrations and arrangements are corny, but that's the style of the period, and it's great fun.One or two times of listening to this, and you'll be humming happily along.

To those who have never heard Josephine's later recordings, she may at moments be reminiscent of a more fluid, powerful and infinitely happier and more mellow Edith Piaf.

The recoding engineers have done an admirable job of transferring this early stereo work to compact disc.While this recording does not offer the sonic depth of a contemporary recording, it nevertheless delivers everything with great clarity and negligible distortion.

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Asin: B0002IVNE2
Sales Rank: 352767
Subjects:  1. French    2. World Music   

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Zizi in all her glory!
Zizi Jeanmaire is truly a living legend.She's regarded as one of the most beloved Parisian entertainers and is equally at home in musicals as well as ballet and the concert stage.

This compilation comprises many of Zizi's greatest hits including "Mon Truc en Plumes" (My Thing with Feathers) that has become her trademark (the number was especially choreographed for her by husband Roland Petit, and was first introduced in her 'Casino de Paris' show in the mid-70's).

Zizi also belts out "Dis donc, Dis-donc" and "Irma la Douce" from the IRMA LA DOUCE score as well as other numbers like "La Gambille", "Paris Boheme", "La Java", "Charleston" and "Il Nous Faut des Chansons".

Zizi made her Broadway musical debut in 1954's THE GIRL IN PINK TIGHTS which was Sigmund Romberg's last completed score.She later impressed in Hollywood with a role in ANYTHING GOES (starring opposite Bing Crosby).Zizi returned to Paris and married longtime love Roland Petit, who has been her partner in life and art.In the 1970's Petit bought the Casino de Paris and staged 2 revues starring Zizi that ran for almost two years.In the 80's Zizi continued to exhibit her diversity, starring as La Mome Pistache in a Broadway revival of CAN-CAN.Other triumphs followed, and one of Zizi's most celebrated triumphs to date has been her 1995 revue 'Zizi au Zenith'.

Editorial Review

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J'Arrive
Nearly 25 years after his death, & there's finally a North American release of this great talent. I'd say he's neck & neck with Bob Dylan for being one of the most original songwriters of the late 20th Century. Though I've never seen him live, what performances I have seen via video were astounding. When he came to America to play Carnegie Hall in '65, he was described as an "electrical storm". On record , he's still fierce, confrontational & straight from the gut. However, his introduction to many Americans may have come via the Shuman/Blau translations of the off-Broadway hit, JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE & LIVING IN PARIS. Sadly, they don't even come close to hitting the mark. Furthermore, they lack the bite, the wit & the bleak romanticism of the originals. Scott Walker released a gushing tribute in the late 60's and despite some fine moments, it still lacks the intensity of the real thing. Oddly enough, I became aware of Brel through David Bowie's 1973 versions of "Amsterdam" & "My Death". Which to this day, hold up well against any other English versions I've heard. But like I said, none of that comes close to Brel spitting it out himself. He can be as bitterly mournful on "Ne Me Quitte Pas" as he is perversely sarcastic on "Les Bigotes". No translator needed. This collection provides an excellent overview of his oeuvre, as well as finally providing some decent English translations for those who failed high school French. Though, a few personal favorites are omitted, I'd still say that this is the perfect introduction. For the seasoned listener, the unissued tracks like, "La Cathedrale" & "L'Amour est Morte" will not disappoint. They are as haunting & pointed as his best known work.

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Serge is Amazing!
This is a great, relatively low priced introduction to Serge Gainsbourg's greatest hits.Personally I think his earlier works shine much brighter than the later stuff (when he was blazing trails and creating trends rather than following them), so I play the first CD almost exclusively, but it is so strong that it's worth buying the double album.I recently "discovered" Serge and it is amazing what a cutting edge musician he was: sampling, incorporating carribean and African beats, and rapping (in French) in the '60's and early '70's; way before any of those techniques made it to the mainstream of American music.There are songs from 1968 that sound so current, they could be hits today. Also, I'm partial to his really early recordings when he was a crooner in the Yves Montand mold, he really had an amazing, sultry, sexy voice.I highly recommend this CD for anyone interested in Serge or who just loves great eclectic music.

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Reviews (8)

Saw this book everywhere in Paris.
This book is a good source of information for pretrip planning.The tours were good suggestions also, but it is hard to read and walk when you have another person with you who isn't patient.This book also needed a more complete map section. The Rue Cler suggested hotels and restaurants were great.

2 weeks in France with 3 kids
I just got back from 9 days in greater France and 5 days in Paris with 3 kids (7, 9, 14 years). Although dumb to try with kids the only thing we reserved was a car. I bought 6 books to get ready but only used Rick Steve's France 2005 on the road. A bit off season (April 14-28) we walked up and got rooms in every mid priced hotel Rick suggested. All were great and just as described. It even got us a free 5 person breakfast at our Rue Cler hotel (worth ~40 euro). Rick's rating system on what to see (and what not to see) was right on target. Next time I would make reservations ahead of time but with confidence that Rick's picks can not go wrong. My National Geographic "Paris" was OK for history lessons but the only book worth buying for travel was Rick's.

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Asin: B000052600
Sales Rank: 515782
Subjects:  1. Dance Music    2. Pop    3. World Music   

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Asin: B000053ZYO
Sales Rank: 314015
Subjects:  1. World Music   

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Asin: B0000084K3
Sales Rank: 291493
Subjects:  1. World Music   

Reviews (3)

A beautiful book!
I picked up this book to help me with ideas on romantic places and things to do in Paris, as I was making my first trip there with my husband.I fell in love with this book.The author is Sorbonne educated, Tirza Vallois, who has lived 40 years in the city of lights.It is obvious that she loves her city and is happy to help lovers and those who love romance to see her city at it's best.This is not the book to choose solely for the sites to see-for that I would suggest the DK Eyewitness guide for Paris, however, this guide will take you to some popular sites, and many that are off the beaten track that are quiet and romantic that allow you to fully appreciate the city.

We read her descriptions of the time of year to go, and chose October, which, as she states is a wonderful time to go....leaves turning and falling, crowds have thinned out, restaurants are not so smoky and crowded.We took her advise and got transportation from the airport, which allowed us the luxury of watching the city go by instead of carting our bags up and down the metro station stairs, and getting to our hotel exhausted.We read about the Musee Rodin and sculpture garden, which is an 18th century mansion, surrounded by a rose garden with over 200 varieties of roses and the sculptures of Rodin, including the Kiss and the Thinker.Perfect for a hand in hand stroll with your favorite someone.We walked the Seine as the lights of the city came on, we read about the love story of Abelard & Heloise, and visited their gravesite in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, which is both a beautiful park and has some of the most beautiful stained glass and sculptures I have seen in a cemetery.We also read about and visited the gravesite of Alphonsine Plessis, better known as "Camille" in the novel by Alexander Dumas, fils.We had a romantic tea at Mariage Freres, and bought rose tea and some other blends to bring home to remind us of our special afternoon.

Ms. Vallois's guide is beautifully layed out.The pictures are stunning and I read the book cover to cover before leaving on my trip making sure that I had noted sites that she suggested or areas that we wanted to make sure to see.The guide is down to earth, it is not pretentious or fussy.She does not equate romance and sensual pleasures with spending a lot of money.Of course for those who want a more luxurious experience, she does note higher end hotels and restaurants along with the sites for the more budget conscious.

One recommendation that I would make is to go on the dinner cruise on the Seine.We chose Bateaux Parisian and it was romance at it's peak.We will never forget the sites, the sounds and wonderful food and wine.Pricey, yes....worth it?Absolutely.

This book is an absolute must for those who want to experience the Romance of Paris, either with someone or on your own.

I highly recommend it!

Absolutely stunning!
I loved this book, not only for it's gorgeous photographs, informative text, clear maps, but for the welcome inclusion ofpoetry and selections from French writers that help illuminate the magic of this wonderful city. This is a must have guide for anyone who wants to be swept away to Paris! (It is also conveniently sized to fit neatly into a pocketbook.)

Simply beautiful
This is a must-have book for all lovers of Paris. Thirza Vallois (Around & About Paris) has excelled with this stunning guide to the charms of Paris--some famous, some lesser-known, all sensual and charming. Along with practical information, Ms. Vallois provides reviews of the most romantic places to shop, dine and sleep, plus tales of the city's famous lovers and detailed walks (because the best way to dicover Paris is definitely on foot!) Juliana Spear's photography captures this fabulous city at its best and will have you packing your bags so you can see it for yourself.

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Asin: B0000084T4
Sales Rank: 449784
Subjects:  1. World Music   

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• Original recording remastered

Asin: B00005NWFC
Sales Rank: 376598
Subjects:  1. World Music   

Reviews (1)