Cafe de Paris: 1930-1941: 24 Accordion / Various

Absolutely love the CD. I play it all the time and its wonderful for working around the house or just relaxing. Recommend this one for everyone that loves accordian and French music.

While this compilation is named 'Café de Paris' it focuses on the 'bal musette' tradition found in the Paris dance hall. The disc comes with a good set of liner notes about the tradition and about the important artists selected for inclusion here. Most of the tunes are lively waltzes and not all of them are based on or driven by the accordion. Two or three of the cuts include vocals--by Edith Piaf and by Jean Gabin and possibly a third, singer whose name I can't find now.The lead number, 'Flambee Montalbanaise' is probably the closest to the early accordion work in bal musette. My favourite pieces were mostly the swing-dominated numbers with a more varied orchestration. 'Le Charmeuse de Serpents' ('Snake Charmer')is both jazzy and a great evocation of some Moroccan charmer's flute tune. 'Strange Harmony' is another great jazzy swing piece of music that shows the French could take an American form and run with it! Similar pieces are 'Mado', 'Matelotte' and 'Swing 39' (composed by Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt and played by Gus Viseur and his orchestra). These pieces showcase some fine guitar and piano work and some two-part harmony (perhaps two clarinets or clarinet and accordion.) 'Jeanette,' composed and played by Gus Viseur backed by an ensemble, is a lively and pretty number created to honor his wife. 'Pinsonette', 'Rosetta' and 'Melancholie' are fine accordion numbers.I have to admit that I am not a fan of French vocal music from the period, mostly because my French is not good enough to appreciate the lyrics behind the emotions carried by the songs. Edith Piaf seems less 'nasal' here and it is easy to appreciate the popularity of Jean Gabin--both truly admired singers in the France of their time. Nor can I listen to endless accordion waltzes. Fortunately, here one can skip a few when one wants to. I prefer my accordion music to be a bit slower and more 'romantic.'All in all, I 'like' this disc and I am transferring my recommended cuts to my tablet to take on my upcoming trip to France.

The front says "accordion classics", but the fine print on the back specifies "bal musette" - don't miss it. All the tunes are played whirlwind style - VERY fast. Only the slowest, by Tony Murano, are danceable. Most are instrumental ( accordion + orchestra ), but three are sung, one by Piaf ( of course...) , one by Jean Gabin ( good ), one by Damia ( best ) .If you are a die-hard fan of musette, this is the disc for you. If you are looking for soulful, romantic, classic French accordion, look elsewhere. And if you find one, PLEASE let me know ! (*)(*) Update: I did find one, improbably titled "En Provence" - read my review on it.

This is really a very good compilation of 'bal musette' accordion music. It's not for everybody however. I'm a baby-boomer who grew up on rock & roll; this music could be considered about as far from that as you can get and still be in a popular music genre. But if you're looking for something to sooth your soul after a busy day, something extremely evocative of a different time and a different culture, this might be just the thing. It doesn't have a recording of "La Vie En Rose" on it, but every time I listen to it, it makes me smile.

I recently watched the "Maigret" tv series which takes place in Paris in the early thirties. I loved the music and looked on Amazon for something that might be similar. I was totally pleased with the recordings on this cd. Most of the songs sounded very similar to what was playing as background music when the characters were in a bar, restaurante or sidewalk cafe. Very pleased.

Fun retro music which I love, but a lot of people may not be into French Cafe Music from that period. Love to mix it in with other eclectic music for dinner music.

It was very good

Quirky, giggly, lovely. I love song #8 the best, but every song makes me smile. If you would like something to play in your car to help you through a rough commute, this is the cd! Giving it as a gift to other 'could-be' road-ragers. :-)

This is the real thing, all these recordings date from the 1930's and early 40's and have a delightful nostalgic atmosphere. Most of these tunes are in dance-time, and make you want to get up and join in the waltz ! The charm and exuberance of Parisian cafe-music is wonderfully captured in these expert performances. Some of the numbers are vocals, including an early Piaf hit. There is well over an hour of music on this disc, and all these recordings have been remastered, the sound is fresh and clear. This is a disc you won't get tired of - Highly Recommended !

Wanted this CD for atmospheric background at a Gift Fair.The tracks are upbeat and happy.l was hoping for accordion/violin only. A few warbly vocals crept in which l easily bypassed. Nothing raucous.Five stars to Walter for so kindly posting to me to arrive for my event.Brilliant personal customer service !

I heard this type of music on the film "HUGO" and its realy french and summery and i thought im playing this in my garden. It realy is brilliant. I liked it straight away. Easy on the ear its now in my iphone and ipod and goes with me everywhere.

If I did not enjoy this record I would not have put in for a replacement!!it is excellent music for long distance driving.!!

Wanted some music to accompany an AmDram production set in a French chateau in the 1930s. This was absolutely spot on, with a great variety of pieces. It significantly enhanced the production, and was very pleasant to listen to in its own right.