I didn't like the songs on first listen very much, but they are growing on me a lot. Benjamin's hot.

http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr/video/Vanessa_Paradis_concert_prive/

[Edited 5/16/13 13:13pm]

Thanks for the link.

By the way, her album is already out!

Yeah, I know, but over here it will be out on 25th.

Well, living myself in Spain, I can't tell when I'll see it in a record shop, or even if I'll ever see it! I may have to buy it with Amazon.

I am loving all the songs except the last one. I think I'm gonna get the new album.

I've just seen the concert. I find all the songs great! Even the last one, give it one more chance, daq; specially at the end, when she starts humming, it's great! Anyway, my favourite is the first one, "Station quatre septembre".

I think the album will be great. I only fear that it may be too long (20 songs), and that the tunes wich aren't composed by Biolay may be weaker. It'll be an amazing record, anyway.

I am loving the songs more and more, but I always skip the last one. I gotta give it a chance. But I am getting the album, because these songs are great. And that Biolay guy is HOT AS HELL! Gotta find out more about him. Tried to find an interview with him in Englihs, but wasn't successful yet.

dag said:

I am loving the songs more and more, but I always skip the last one. I gotta give it a chance. But I am getting the album, because these songs are great. And that Biolay guy is HOT AS HELL! Gotta find out more about him. Tried to find an interview with him in Englihs, but wasn't successful yet.

I guess English is not his thing. His first album published in an English-speaking country was La superbe (2009); his four previous albums weren't published neither in the UK nor in the US. But his most recent record, Vengeance, has also been published in the UK. You might find some recent interview in English. Anyway, his official site, www.benjaminbiolay.com, has an English version, where you can read, amongst other things, the NME review of Vengeance.

Should you like to listen to some of his music, there's a compilation called Best Of Benjamin Biolay, and his best album, in my opinion, is La superbe.

I can assure you that I am not Benjamin Biolay. But he's my favourite artist of the 21st century, and I'd love that more people got to know his brilliant music, that's why I'm glad to know you're interested in him.

Haven't found any interview in English yet. But I have checked some of his songs.

Now what is this? Some MJ parody? Interesting song, but that video had me laughing.

Well, "Padam" is just an OK song, nothing great, and the video is certainly ridiculous. Biolay has been accused of not being a brilliant live performer, and he may be being ironic about it in the video with all those moves.

Daq, you may like to hear "Profite", a duet with Vanessa Paradis included in Biolay's last album. Also, "La Superbe", "Ton Héritage" or "Dans La Merco Benz". These are some of his best songs. All the videos are in Youtube.

[Edited 5/24/13 0:46am]

I kinda like Padam. I have listened to the songs you mentioned. My favourite so far is Laisse Aboyer Les Chiens. I also love the video.He's so hot in it. BTW who's that women in that video. He also used her in Dans La Merco Benz. I also like Superbe and Ton Héritage. I am not crazy about Profite though. Heard it only once though. Maybe it will grow on me.

dag said:

I kinda like Padam. I have listened to the songs you mentioned. My favourite so far is Laisse Aboyer Les Chiens. I also love the video.He's so hot in it. BTW who's that women in that video. He also used her in Dans La Merco Benz. I also like Superbe and Ton Héritage. I am not crazy about Profite though. Heard it only once though. Maybe it will grow on me.

Great research!

I don't know now about the woman you mention, I'll try to find out.

If you get tired of listening to Biolay's voice, you can also try with his compositions and productions for other people. For example, for his sister Coralie Clément. The man has so many tunes!

Because of his kinda "imitation" of MJ in Padam video, do you know if he has ever spoken about him or what he thinks of MJ?

What does the man talk about at around 1:33? I speak absolutely no French, but it sounded as if he said something was ideal for cremation? Ben looks embarrassed. Why do the French even invite all those people in when they won't let them speak. This is about a second show of this type that I have seen and Benjamin hardly says a word. I watched it till the end and t looks like he's making fun of him.

[Edited 5/24/13 7:27am]

I've always wanted to get into David Bowie, but somehow I haven't been able to yet, but I do like his latest song. Doesn't he sometimes remind you of Bowie?

I like the way Benjamin uses horns. It they were not there, I am not sure I'd like the song that much.

Hi daq!

I don't know of any mention of Michael by Biolay. The video of "Padam" was broadcasted in 2009 or early 2010, so shortly after Michael's death. After watching the video, I don't think he's making fun of Michael. I think it has to do with Biolay being accussed of being too static in his live preformances, of not being as good live as in studio. He may be making fun of his critics.

I'm with you, his horn arrangements are great! Some of his songs have a soul touch, specially in his last album, Vengeance. By the way, I've just read MOJO's review of the album, they give him 4 stars out of 5. I think Biolay could be successful in Britain, but he'll always have the problem the language.

I admire his string arrangements too. In "La superbe" or "Des lendemains qui chantent" (another excellent tune), for example.

I cannot watch the interview you posted now. I know some French, so I may understand what's happening. I'll tell you in another post.

As for Bowie, I'm a huge fan, I'd gladly recommend you some albums if you want. He has covered so many different styles, so depending on your preferences, you may prefer ones or others. That may be a connection between Bowie and Biolay: they are good at many music styles. And they both write brilliant melodies. The two songs you posted ("Aime mon amour" and "The Stars") are very rock-orientated. In this cases, I would chose Biolay's tune.

By the way, I have a trip to Lyon next month, so I'll buy Vanessa's album there! When I have the chance, I like to buy CD's in the artist's country, that's a great souvenir. Have you already bought it?

I have ordered the Vanessa album online, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Well, I also don't think he was making fun of MJ. I know totally NOTHING about Ben, but he doesn't seem to be that kind of person to do that. I think you are right that he¨s probably making fun of himself or the critics.

I may order his La Superbe album over here. I looked and only one of his albums is available here.

I personally love funk the most, but as a Prince and MJ fan, I obviously love when an artist does more than one style cause I like them all. Not a huge rock fan thought, but I do like some rock songs, but overall it's not my favourite musical genre. Has Ben or Bowie mady any "funky" albums? I like Padam, it's kinda funky.

Well, the video of the "interview" is just nonsense. The "journalist" is pretending to be funny, but it's obvious to everybody that he's just ridiculous (nobody laughs at his jokes). At 1:33 he does talk about cremations. He is saying that Benjamin's music is popular music that can be played at baptisms or weddings. But then he says that he also has some obscure and sad songs that are very good for cremations. Actually, it's one of the most stupid ramblings I have ever heard!

Yes, Bowie has written some soul/funky albums. You should listen to Young Americans, which is his "white soul" record, and that includes the song "Fame", so funky that even James Brown copied it. And then he made two albums with Nile Rodgers, Let's Dance and Black Tie, White Noise, which also have a very funky touch. Let's Dance is the most famous, you'll surely have listened to some of its songs, but the other one is also great!

Actually, I've recently written an article for a Spanish soul/funk magazine about the influence of black music in Bowie's career! But it's written in Spanish...

Javi said:

Well, the video of the "interview" is just nonsense. The "journalist" is pretending to be funny, but it's obvious to everybody that he's just ridiculous (nobody laughs at his jokes). At 1:33 he does talk about cremations. He is saying that Benjamin's music is popular music that can be played at baptisms or weddings. But then he says that he also has some obscure and sad songs that are very good for cremations. Actually, it's one of the most stupid ramblings I have ever heard!

Yes, Bowie has written some soul/funky albums. You should listen to Young Americans, which is his "white soul" record, and that includes the song "Fame", so funky that even James Brown copied it. And then he made two albums with Nile Rodgers, Let's Dance and Black Tie, White Noise, which also have a very funky touch. Let's Dance is the most famous, you'll surely have listened to some of its songs, but the other one is also great!

Actually, I've recently written an article for a Spanish soul/funk magazine about the influence of black music in Bowie's career! But it's written in Spanish...

I knew the interviewer was just a complete idiot.

Yes, I do know the "let's dance" song and up till Stars are out tonight, it was my favourite Bowie song. Hey, let's start a Benjamin thread.