Patricia Kaas - Piano Bar

While not a soundtrack per se, this suite of songs was inspired by Claude Lelouche's And Now...Ladies and Gentlemen (2001). In the film, French singing star Patricia Kaas portrays a nightclub chanteuse suffering from a brain tumor who falls for a similarly afflicted thief (played by Jeremy Irons.) Given the plotline, it¹s not surprising that the tunes are drawn primarily from the classic chanson tradition. But strangely, Kaas interprets most of them in the maudlin English translations once favored by the Rat Pack, Rod McKuen, and Bobby Darin. Even so, and despite her consistently over-cautious phrasing, the vocals are attractively languid and husky, inflected with a dead-pan world-weariness that Marlene Dietrich would have recognized. However, it would be pleasant to hear Kaas essay this repertoire in a more intimate, warm-toned setting. As it is, her voice is periodically overwhelmed by echo plus poorly calibrated electric bass and keyboard lines. --Christina Roden Amazon.com

Disappointed

When we ordered this DVD we thought we would have another Frida Boccara. Instead, we found the music was bland. Also, the songs were all sung in English except one verse of one song. May 19, 2007

"And now... Ladies and Gentlemen"

I loved the movie, saw it several times, that's why I bought the CD and was not disappointed March 14, 2007

Ladies And Gentlemen

Haunting, captivating,sexy an unbelievable album. The movie "Ladies and Gentlemen" staring Jeremy Irons, patrica Kaas the singer and many other stars is one DVD you must purchase. January 18, 2007

Rather touching and beautiful in a "world weary" way!!!

I can't get enough of this album at the moment, for some reason! Anyone who cares to look through my reviews will see that this album is quite a strong departure from my usual tastes in music. So I have to say that this album has impressed me, even though it is decidedly not the usual sort of thing I like.

The album consists of chansons, torch songs and standards, mainly sung in English, not that French bothers me at all! (in some ways, I probably would have preferred it if more of the songs were sung in French) However, Patricia Kaas has won me over on this album with her very stylish and touching renditions of these songs. She sings with precision and style. She phrases the songs well, sings with directness and simplicity, and she doesn't resort to anything overwrought or hysterical, overall, her approach is that of a mature and intelligent adult. Does that make any sense?! Probably not. Most of the songs have a melancholy nature and expect a lot of music in minor keys!


This album sounds very good late at night and I like to listen to it whilst having a glass of wine on my own. Yes, I do feel the urge to shed a tear or two when I listen to Piano Bar. January 11, 2007

AH! AT LAST A REAL SINGER

in an era of falsetto and shrill voices what a pleasure to find a real voice. She sings so richly and deeply where ever you are and what ever you're doing you pause to listen. February 26, 2006

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