Search - Jane Birkin :: Rendez-Vous

A Fresh album full of ideas and made with a lot of smiles

Sandy | Brussels, Belgium | 05/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When you take a first look at the track listing, you notice two things. First, this album has been recorded in at least 4 languages (French, English, Italian, Portuguese). Second, it lines up artists as different as rockers (Brian Molko, Mickey 3D), crooners (Brian Ferry, Paolo Conte), established French stars with different styles (Alain Chamfort, Souchon, Etienne Daho, Miossec, Manu Chao, Françoise Hardy), independant newcomers (Feist) and bossa nova veteran (Caetano Veloso).A normal reaction would be to think the ensemble cannot hold. Well, it does! Miraculously, blissfully, it works. The album sounds fresh and relaxed. Jane Birkin reached a point in her career where she can fulfill any fantasy going through her mind. On "Arabesque" she was revisiting Gainsbourg with oriental flavours. On "Rendez-vous", she invites 14 artists with few things in common to duet with her. She had fun recording the album, and the listener has fun listening to it. Sometimes, it is THAT simple. The album has a perfume of innocence and simple pleasure.If I have to point some favourites, I will say: "Je m'appelle Jane" (My name is Jane), the self ironic single with Mickey 3D, "In every dream home a heartache", the diamond with Brian Ferry, "Strange Melody" (a composition by Beth Gibbons). But the entire album goes down as a delicious sorbet in the middle of a heatwave."

Smile!

ioannis | Earth, our only home | 06/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great music! Jane called some friends(?) from Manu Chao to Brian Molko and made a record that sounds surprisingly present. She sounds so sexy even getting near 60 and this is pop as I define it. There are songs in 4 languages (spanish, french, english and italian) and although there is a lot of people here the result doesnt sound like Babel's tower. Unfortunately the booklet doesnt include the lyrics. I really enjoyed listening to it while drinking alone some wine. It will work both ways: to take your blues away or to give you some.....all of my friends suggested a different song as their favourite. Give it a try. Sure worth it."