Sounds Like L’Amour

Want a romantic Parisian getaway but you’re stuck stateside? What you need is a little music in the language of love to transport you. These CDs are sure to get you in the mood—and with a little candlelight and a crisp white tablecloth, you’ll soon be dining in a little café in St. Germain. Add a bottle of pink champagne et voilà–romance, Paris style! FRANCOISE HARDY The Vogue Years (Original Remastered Recordings); BMG Int’l; Les Chansons D’Amour; BMG/Camden; Super-chic Hardy was the queen of the French ’60s scene. These haunting and delicate tunes with their echo-y quality and pure, up-front vocals, will put you in the mood from the first few words. The Vogue Years is a 2-CD set with all her greatest songs, including classics like “Tous Les Garçons et Les Filles” and “Ce Petit Coeur.” Chansons D’Amour is another gem that contains two of my most favorites, “Mon Amie La Rose” and “Le Premier Bonheur Du Jour.” SERGE GAINSBOURG Histoire de Melody Nelson; Polygram International; Couleur Café; Mercury/Universal; For the hipper side of romance, no collection of French music is complete without Serge Gainsbourg’s Histoire de Melody Nelson.  If you want a funky ’60s cocktail-party feel, try a little Couleur Café. With Gainsbourg’s sexy, deep vocals filling the air, cupid’s arrow can’t miss. EDITH PIAF The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf; Capitol; 30th Anniversaire; Angel Records; Let the Little Sparrow sing you into your romantic Paris vision. It’s the Paris of the avant garde ’40s and ’50s scene, full of poetry and passion. If Francoise Hardy is a walk along the Seine, Piaf is a smoky salon in Montmartre. “Vie en Rose,” “Feuille Morte (Autumn Leaves),” “Non, Je Ne Regret Rien”–need I say more? You absolutely must get any one of the many compilation CDs available and set it on repeat. CHARLES AZNAVOUR 40 Chansons D’Or; Phantom; The Greatest Golden Hits; Angel Records; Like Piaf, Aznavour is a French icon. Your parents have at least one of his records wedged next to the Frank Sinatra. Aznavour is the sound of France replete with the characteristic fast vibrato and accordion accompaniment. The 40 Chansons D’Or 2-CD set spans his long career. Greatest Golden Hits does the same, but in English. COMPACT COMPILATIONS These two CDs will give you a little taste of the best of French song: French Café; Putomayo World Music; Perfect for a Sunday brunch for two, I love this CD and listen to it every day.  A taste of the best of French song, Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, even Brigitte Bardot, with new classics from Paris Combo and more! This one is a must-buy.  I Love Paris–18 Sensual French Classics; Metro Music; Want a little fromage with your French fare? Then this is the CD for you. With classics like, “C’est Si Bon,” “Gigi” and “The Summer Knows,” plus plenty of accordion playing, how can you go wrong? C’est si, si bon!