Vik has recently been known to take Thursdays off, leaving the Lounge in the hands of Henri. Given his chance to make the lounge as he feels it should be, Henri immediately declared Thursdays Festival Francais.
The lounge now fills to capacity with men in beret and women in tight striped tops. Mimi, the cigarette girl Henri also dates, cannot keep up with the demand for Galoises. There have long been rumors of a mysterious relationship between Henri and Serge Gainsbourgh, and perhaps this night of music could be proof. Three stunning sets of French pop with an emphasis on Mr. G. Ask Henri what it means and he simply smiles and says "Ahhhh...Paris..."
April March"Chick Habit" (Sympathy For The Record Industry 398)
The evening kicks off with the ever vivacious April March. Accompanied by Sylvie Gall and her orchestra, April throws all she has into 7 stunning Gainsbourgh tunes and then closes with "Chick Habit" in an English translation. Straight pop pleasure without the taint of being updated...a delight for Francopiles and music fans alike! She'll also be debuting new tunes from her forthcoming "Paris In April" album.
Laisse Tomber les Filles...Deux Garcons Pour Une Filles...Caribou...Le Temps de L'Amour...Le Chanson de Prevert...Tu Mens...Cet Air-La...Chick Habit
Mick Harvey"Intoxicated Man" (Mute 9012)
The second set takes a turn into the darker world of Mick Harvey and Anita Lane. 16 songs from Gainsbourgh, sung in English, from the man who can be found at Nick Cave's side in the Bad Seeds. Not simply another rocker going EZ, this stands as one of the finest sets of new school EZ. Almost completely overlooked by the press during this revival, Harvey delivers these songs in a Leonard Cohen-esque/Gainsbourgh sing-talk growl. Anita Lane's addition adds sweet counterpoint to Harvey's dark side. The sultry opener "69 Erotic Year" leads marvelously into Lane's incredible version of "harley Davidson". By the time they reach "Bonnie and Clyde", their spell is complete. The sets closer of "initials B.B." brings the crowd to their feet demanding more, but in the finest French traditon..."C'est fin."
69 Erotic Year...Harley Davidson...Intoxicated Man...The Sun Directly Overhead...Sex Shop...The Barrel Pf My 45...Ford Mustang...Overseas Telegram...New York USA...Bonnie And Clyde...Chatterton...The Song Of Slurs...Jazz In The Ravine...I Have Come To Tell You I'm Going...Lemon Incest...Initials B.B.
France Gall"France Gall" (Philips 839 627)
While Henri would leave the evening with the dark world of Harvey and Lane, Mimi loves to dance. So, the night ends with the twisting pop of the adorable France Gall. This bundle of energy belts out a tune like few others making it impossible to stay seated. Bringing the night back to the kicky Franco-pop of where it began, Ms. Gall will leave you snapping your fingers as you go into the morning looking for a strong demi-tasse and a fresh baguette.
Bebe Requin...Jazz Au GoGo...Ne Sois Pas Si Bete...Sacre Charlemagne...Teenie Weenie Boppie...Les Rubans Et La Pleur...Christiansen...Nous Ne Sommes Pas Des Anges...L'Amerique...Poupee De Cire Poupee De Son...Les Sucettes...Baby Pop...N'Ecoute Pas Les Idoles...Le Coeur Qui Jazze...Attends Ou Va T'en...Laisse Tomber Les Filles...Pense A Moi...Ne Dis Pas Aux Copains