Search - Isabelle Boulay :: Etats D'amour

An emotional performer - 3.5 stars

Sandy | Brussels, Belgium | 10/26/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Quebec has a tradition of great voices and popular emotional songs. The best reference I can think of is Ginette Reno. Isabelle could be a modern version of the interpreter of "La deuxième voix". They both have that 'pathos' in their voice making them perfect for sad ballads about ordinary lonely heart.My review is based on my own copy of the album, released in 1998. I think I have the first version of the album and I guess it was re-released later when Isabelle first hit France and Belgium, with more songs than on the first version I own. I will therefore not talk about the following songs that do not appear on my copy: "J'ai mal à l'amour", "Tombée de toi", "Homme sweet homme", L'hymne à la beauté du monde" and "Blanche comme la neige".Isabelle sings about heartbreaks, misunderstanding between lovers, being left alone. "I am an inconsolable willow/ the most helpless of the trees/ but who cares about love, war/ I love you" ("Le saule") sets the tone. Some other examples of this: "Je t'oublierai, Je t'oublierai" (I will forget you), "L'amour dans l'âme" (love in the soul - the title plays on the French expression: doing something with death in your soul 'la mort dans l'âme' - against your will) and "Le banc des délaissés" (the bench of the deserted ones). Most of the songs are ballads (at least on my copy). It might be reserved to helpless romantics, but Isabelle sounds so true and honest, she is so into her songs you will forgive her.Some interesting things to know are that Luc Plamondon ("Starmania" - Isabelle was once part of one of the many casts of this musical), Richard Cocciante (the musical "Notre Dame de Paris"), Francis Cabrel and Zazie have all written for the album. "T'es pas mon fils" is one of my favorites. This sensitive song sounds like a love declaration to an adoptive child to me (" You're not my son, It's even better so; I love you for who you are; You are my friend, I'll never irritate you (...) Later you can tell me everything, I'll never been there to judge you; You can count on me to listen to you")."Les yeux au ciel" (The eyes to heaven) is another ballad about being deserted by love, I like this one for the soul/folk orchestration and the guitars. "I have my eyes to heaven, is there someone up there, I'm calling and I only hear the echo; My God answer I need it, is love more beautiful seen from above, less superficial?""L'héroïne de cette histoire" (the heroin of this story) is representative of Zazie's play with words. It is about a drug addict and the feeling of helplessness of those who love her without being able to save her from herself. I also love a lot the almost acoustic/live orchestration of this song."C'était l'Hiver" (It was winter) is a delicate ballad about suicide. For personal reasons I am particularly moved by the lyrics. "She said living was cruel; she did not believe in the sun anymore, nor to the silence of the churches, and even my smiles were scaring her; It was winter in her heart"."La lune" (the moon) is one of the most upbeat songs, and one of the most positive. It is the eternal theme of the moon being accomplice of the lovers.Her interpretation of "N'oubliez jamais" (Joe Cocker) is another favorite of mine. I particularly like the intro, where Isabelle voice is only supported by congas. The orchestration is simpler than the original. It is very soothing, as a lullaby, and at the same time very danceable. She is an endearing singer, and her follow-up album "Mieux qu'ici bas" is as good than this one."

Isabelle Boulay, a voice to die for

soizic@pdq.net | Houston, Texas, USA | 10/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have just listened to Isabelle Boulay CD "Etats d'amour", twice actually, and "L'hymne à la beauté du monde"much more than twice. Her voice is seducing, sensual, yet poignant at times. The lyrics and the music combine in a beautiful setting which touches the Heart.
I am looking forward to listen to more music from Isabelle Boulay."

French class.

ace | 05/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"we listened to this cd in french class and learned a couple of the songs. i really like it although i'm pretty sure it's kinda over the top. i know a small enough amount of french to be able to really enjoy this disc."