Françoise Hardy is one of the queens of yé-yé – the French pop music with slight psychedelic flair that charmed the world in the 1960s. En Vogue Best of 1962 – 1967 doesn’t encapsulate all of Hardy’s career, but it does collect twenty-four of her best tracks from a five-year period in which she was one of the voices of the generation who would protest the status quo.
“Tous Les Garçons et Les Filles” (“All the Boys and Girls”) has this haunting sound to it with Hardy’s voice echoing over simple beats and guitar and not-so simple bass grooves. “Le Temps de L’Armour” (“The Time of Love”) ups the fuzz a bit and could’ve been a Bond film theme in another life. “Le Premier Bonheur du Jour” (“The First Joy of the Day”) has a bit of a melancholy feel, leaving you wondering if Hardy is feeling joyful, or if she’s trying to convince herself that she is. “J’aurais Voulu” (“I Would’ve Liked To”) blends guitar and soft string instruments well.
“Pourtant Tu M’aimes” (“Yet You Love Me”) has a Phil Spector “wall of sound” vibe with the big instruments and backing vocalists behind Hardy’s breathy vocals. The deep piano and hand claps of “Et Même” (“And Even”) keep up this big, bold sound balance with Hardy’s soft voice. “Mon Amie la Rose” (“My Friend the Rose”) almost sounds like an Ennio Morricone song with its use of vocal sounds in the background, Spanish-tinged guitar, and Hardy’s voice drifting like dust across the land.
“Je N’attends Plus Personne” (“I’m Not Waiting for Anyone Anymore”) has Hardy a bit angry (as evidenced by the fuzzy guitar and frantic strings) and punching above her weight with her bold vocals. It’s a nice contrast with the next track, “Je Veux Qu’il Revienne” (“I Want Him to Come Back”), in which Hardy is tired of waiting for her lover to return. It’s a fast-paced rocker. “La Nuit Est Sur la Ville” (“The Night Is on the City”) is a tender ballad.
“DisLui Non” (“Tell Him No”) is funky and fabulous. “All Over the World” is the lone English track on the compilation (which is fine with me, give me all the French stuff!). “L’Amitié” (“Friendship”) is almost a lullaby. Hardy’s vocals on the chorus of “Le Temps des Souvenirs” (“A Time for Memories”) grab your attention and don’t let go.
Other standouts on the collection are “La Maison Où J’ai Grandi” (“The House Where I Grew Up”) with its peppy acoustic guitar chords, the soaring “Je Changerais d’Avis” (“I Would Change My Mind”), and the folksy “Au Fond du Rêve Doré” (“Deep in the Golden Dream”).
It’s a lovely collection from a lovely chanteuse and a great introduction to her work.
Gardez l’esprit ouvert.
[Veuillez vous abonner.]