Frenchy (Nouvelle Edition) ［CD+SONGBOOK］

After four previous albums that to varying degrees meld his idol Django Reinhardts gypsy jazz with French chanson in originals and specially chosen covers, guitarist and vocalist Thomas Dutronc realizes a dream with Frenchy. Accompanied by his quartet and an international cast of guests including Iggy Pop, Diana Krall, Stacey Kent, Youn Sun Nah, Haley Reinhart, Jeff Goldblum, and Billy Gibbons, he pays homage to the timelessness of French song with a mostly wonderful result. Iggy and Krall assist on Hernri Bettes and Andre Hornezs Cest si Bon, immortalized by Yves Montand. While this version doesn’t add much, its delivered bilingually, thus embracing Jerry Seelens English lyrics. Edit Piafs theme, La Vie en Rose, finds Gibbons adding a silvery touch to an uncharacteristically languid guitar solo. The particular quality in the grain of Dutroncs voice and phrasing bridge Piafs clipped enunciation with Chet Bakers vulnerable delivery style. Plus Je Tembrasse, penned by American composer Ben Ryan, was rendered iconic by Blossom Dearie in 1958. Dutronc reads it with fingerpopping hipster sass. American soprano saxophonist, jazz giant Sidney Bechet (beloved in France since 1922) scored a hit there with Petit Fleur. Its Latin percussion and lonely musette frame Dutroncs vocal and guitar exquisitely. He also reimagines chart hits by two French groups who composed their lyrics in English: A sultry, almost erotic read of Airs Playground Love with South Koreas Nah, and an all but unrecognizable version of Daft Punks international smash Get Lucky. While Dutroncs vocal on the latter is unsuitable for its melody, his hip take on gypsy-cool jazz adds dimension and savvy. Theres another fine duet here between the guitarist and Stacey Kent on a resonant, sensual take of Pierre Barouhs title theme for the film Un Homme et Une Femme. Frenchy couldn’t exist without a tune by Reinhardt (the French press has dubbed Dutronc Djangos Son), a modern version of Minor Swing that replaces Stephane Grappellis violin with a Rhodes piano, popping electric guitars, and hyper-strummed mandolin. Alongside Haley Reinhart, Dutronc offers a resilient, rockist read of Jacques Brels eternal If You Go Away adds to a lineage started by Georges Brassens and Leo Ferre. A truly confusing entry here is the inclusion of My Way. Set to the music of the French song Comme dhabitude, composed and written by Jacques Revaux, Frank Sinatras signature version (with unrelated English lyrics by Paul Anka), is the standard no matter who sings it. Dutroncs attempt to straddle cultural lines is valiant, but so wispy it should have been abandoned. Further, on Sacha Distels and Jean Broussolles La Belle Vie (Yankees know it as Tony Bennets The Good Life), is temporarily elevated by Goldblums deft pianism, but his uneven, ever so slight singing voice, when paired with the guitarists expressive baritone, proves detrimental. Dutronc planned and recorded Frenchy with great care and more than a little skill. Fans will find much to delight in. However, attraction for non-Francophone audiences may prove -- despite the albums high quality -- somewhat limited. ~ Thom Jurek