Various Artists - Bachelor in Paris Ultra Lounge 10 (18 tracks) +Album Reviews

Votre meilleur coupable plaisir!

1-0 | California | 03/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, this is one of the best Ultra-lounge CDs, and not just because it tries to transport you into the super-chic world of France, as viewed from the eyes of soon-to-be-too-hip-to-care Americans. Unlike many of the CDs in this set, Bachelor in Paris lands beaucoup points for actual sentiment here, even with the sometimes annoying fake French dame who pops up every now and then. The renditions of the most famous stuff ("La Vie en Rose", "April in Paris", "Milord") are pretty unique, and you can still never say that Sam Butera didn't put every ounce of his soul into his horn. My faves are the lesser known, like "French Rat Race" (Manhatten Transfer eat your hearts out!) and "Under Paris Skies/La La Collette" which may be the single corniest (yet wonderful) performance in the ultra lounge series. Overall, tout à fait beau, and so lovely on a temperate spring afternoon."

Beaucoup Cool!

winkingtiger | Oakland, CA | 03/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the more unusual entries in the U-L sereis, this one has slowly become one of my favorites. Of course, this is not authentic 'French' music in any sense, but at least most of the cuts have French-sounding names! These American Loungeés may never have been to Paree, but they still deliver Gallic-inspired delights such as the Xylophone-mad 'Clown On The Eiffel Tower' or the hyperactive scat-singing of 'French Rat Race'. Not to mention other standouts like a Mambo 'I Love Paris' (one of 2 versions here, both great), A swingin' 'La Vie En Rose' in the style of Carl Mann's 'Mona Lisa' [I love swing versions of familiar ballads]! Other standouts include 2 linked versions of 'C'est Si Bon', and the eerie, yet corny 'Parisian Women' (how they pulled that combination off I'll never know). As the liner notes say, 'This Is The Paris Of The Mind', and I think that's a good description as regards authenticity; this may not be 'pure', but it sure is fun! The melodies definitely grow on you after repeated listenings. And, by the way, I believe the Frenchwoman who guides you through Paris in her 4 or 5 little interjections is none other that Line Renaud, who performed the memorable 'Sexe' on Vol. 4. I think she's tres enchantee...but those who don't like spoken words can remove her by using program or shuffle on your CD player, her asides reside in the 'gap' areas before songs and are removed unless you play the album in order, from the beginning. So there! Stop complaining (see below) and listen to one of the coolest and most charming entries in the series!"

Paris Never Could Have Been This Good!

Constance Hirsch | Somerville, MA | 04/14/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I took a flyer on a used copy of this CD, based on how much I liked some of the other Ultra-Lounge discs, and much to my surprise this has been a favorite. Particular surprise: the most bouncy light-hearted cover of "La Vie En Rose" ever committed to vinyl."

Vive L'Lounge Music Connected to France!

F. J. Weiner | Philadelphia, PA USA | 10/04/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fairly good CD of this series. You get pretty much what you would expect--lots of accordion instrumentation and saucy vocals. The album is uniformly good, but with no blockbuster tracks as most of the other CDs in the ULTRA-LOUNGE series have. P.S.: In between every third track or so, a Frenchwoman takes you on a verbal tour of Paris."

A Mini Trip to the Paris of the 50s and 60s in a Jewel Case!

Peter LoRicco | NJ/NY | 03/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For whatever reason, I avoided this entry in the Ultra-Lounge series like the plague. In fact, I bought nearly every other volume BEFORE "A Bachelor in Paris" and waited until the last second to add it to my collection and complete the series. What did a French spin on my beloved lounge music have to offer me? The whole idea just did not sound all that appealing - I've never even fantasized about visiting Paris! Still, with few entries left to buy, I finally picked up "A Bachelor in Paris" and boy am I glad I did!

The music is jovial and fun, with a continental flair that evokes not the actual Paris but rather a fictional, idealized Paris of the jet-set 1950s and 60s. The Paris for lovers, the romanticized Paris of quaint cafes and glowing nightlife is here, conveniently preserved on disc to visit anytime you need to escape the reality of everyday life. More than any other entry in the Ultra-Lounge series, "A Bachelor in Paris" evokes a celebratory atmosphere - a mini-vacation in a jewel case where the locals are friendlier, the wine ever flowing, and your love faithfully always by your side to squeeze and caress at will.

The woman who pops up between every couple of tracks is quite amusing and helps perpetuate the illusion that listening to this disc is like taking a guided tour of Paris in the 50s and 60s. How sublime!

So, in parting, my final thoughts to anyone who has yet to complete their Ultra-Lounge collection, like me, should absolutely pick up a copy of "A Bachelor in Paris." The music is fun, the atmosphere is romantic and magical, and the entire compilation ranks among the best, most cohesive discs in the Ultra-Lounge series!

C'est Magnifique!"

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