Track Listing

1. L'eau et le vin
2. Commando
3. When I say
4. Pourtant
5. Que fait la vie?
6. Les acrobates
7. La la la song
8. L'air du temps
9. St.Germain
10. Dans moi cafe
11. Firmaman
12. La ballade de Lily Rose
13. Bliss

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82515 in Music
• Released on: 2000-10-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Customer Reviews

France's Flowerchild makes a stunning comeback
*Co-written by Johny Depp, featuring 'Commando', 'Pourtant', and three English language tracks*

Best known as the 13 year old fresh-faced teen fidgeting her way through a live rendition of her first single on French National Television way back in the 80s, Vanessa Paradis has come full circle with what is possibly the finest moment of her tumultuous career.

Unfortunately for her, shes always going to be remembered as the little girl who sang her way to the top of the French charts with 'Joe le Taxi'. While nothing on this CD remotely compares to the girlish innocence of that single, it does have its' childlike moments, best embodied on 'La ballade de Lily Rose', which Vanessa wrote for her daughter.

This is Vanessa's first studio album in a decade, and the time away has apparently changed her sound. American listeners who remember her from the infamous 1992 CD with Lenny Kravitz will notice the same jazz-lounge feel of this album. Vanessa's voice has never been a strong instrument, yet she has managed to tone down the Mickey Mouse squeak that so often ruined some of her earlier work, resulting in a suprisingly effective compilation of bluesey harmonies.

The first single from this album 'Commando' is markedly different from the other songs on here. There are no rock ballads, and no silly pop ditties. There is, however, an emphasis on eclectic influences. 'L'eau et le vin', the first song, is heavily saturated in Middle Eastern instruments, and sets the tone for the whole album. Another track, 'Pourtant' was recently voted by the singer's fan community as the best song on the CD, though that title most deservedly goes to 'St. Germain', a Billie Holiday-style lounge track that is simply stunning.

As a body of work 'Bliss' is strong and flawless. There is not one song on here that falters, and with this album out, Vanessa has flown Light years ahead of contemporary French songstresses such as Ophelie Winter, Axelle Red, and yes, even Mylene Farmer. When I heard that 'Bliss' had been released, I couldn't resist the temptation to listen to the entire album over the Net, and when I did, I was determined to buy the CD. Unfortunately, Vanessa's weak promotion of the CD, and her record companies' sorry attempts at promoting the album even in France, has resulted in a gem of an album going unnoticed.

All in all, 'Bliss' has been the shock of the summer. Critics who once passed Vanessa over as another ... kitten without talent will have to eat their words now that this record is out. Coupled with the release of the seemingly classy 'La Fille sur le pont', Vanessa Paradis is definitely THE french chanteuse of the moment, and rightfully so.

Highly recommended. The import version is expensive, but certainly worth it.

Bliss indeed
For those of you who only remember Vanessa Paradis for "Joe le Taxi" all those years ago, or as Mrs Johnny Depp now, this album from 2001 will come as a revelation as it did to me. It covers many styles, from the folky ethnic sound of "L'eau et le vin" to the rock of "Commando" and a couple of songs in English "When I say", and "La La La Song" which are soulful but it's in the jazzy chanson style of Les Acrobates and the highlight of the album for me, the self-penned "St Germain" that she really comes into her own with guitar,piano and bass accompaniment and beautiful harmonies throughout. I can't think of anything to compare it to. The ballads about her children are touching and the album finishes with the beautiful, hummable title track "Bliss" where English and French come together nicely in the final chorus like the merging of her identities. Johnny Depp gets a few credits for writing music as well. If you're concerned about not understanding the French there are plenty of websites with translations. Apparently, this sold less than all her other albums which is a real shame because it is hard to imagine her bettering it.

Bliss
What a delightful album and although it is a few years since it first came out I now have this music in my car with me. Vanessa has a beautiful voice and how sweet to hear Lily-Rose on there with her along with some input from Johnny. I love it.