Midnight Blues: Paris London 1968 - 1972

The Amazon description for the CD is misleading because, fortunately, all of the selections are sung by Francoise Hardy. The contents of this CD are drawn from three other CD's that are out of print and expensive, should they be found. The re-mastering is phenomenal because it sounds so great, audio-wise. As indicated, it is Francoise Hardy singing everything in English with a slight accent (she would never be mistaken as being an American or British) which is a change from her usual French worded sounds. Previously, with those French sung songs, one could only be amazed at just how musical Francoise Hardy is and I could only appreciate the melody and the phrasing that I could never understand. Her voice has changed, as time does for most. So this is a youthful collection from over 40 years ago with stunning audio and great arrangements. The inside pamphlet is a brief history of her career written by Bob Stanley in 2013. Francoise Hardy is unique in that she never repeats anything in terms of how it sounds unlike Diana Ross and the Supremes. So this is a historical record and an extremely pleasurable one to listen to over and over again via a home theater system. It is always a rare treat to listen to her and this CD is no exception.

Midnight Blues is the combination of two Hardy albums, One-Nine-Seven-Zero, Francoise Hardy (also known as If You Listen) and the single, Loving You, from En Anglais. I don't think the songs do justice to her voice; struggling with an unfamiliar language, Hardy manages, nonetheless, to inject a breathy voice full of feeling for the songs' intentions. The arrangements, often inventive and executed with aplomb, bring a worthy punctuation to her interpretations of a varied selection from Leonard Cohen's Suzanne (one of the weaker results, in my opinion) to Bown, Bown, Bown (one of the stronger, I think). Brulure is becoming my favorite, and it might be because it's the only song on the group that Hardy sings in French and has the greater depth of her feeling. All the same, songs such as Randy Newman's I Thing It's Gonna Rain Today or Buffy Sainte-Marie's Take My Hand For A While, have an infectious orchestration. Songs such as Loving You or 'Til the Morning Comes might seem to jar at first, but keep listening...it won't be long before the entire collection becomes addictive; and, as you listen (even to If You Listen), the whole of the compilation will be a welcome, fluid and sincere emotional experience not to be missed.

Excellent recording, Franciose's voice is as clear as I have heard, that includes remastered cd's and original vinyl of later years. The mastering is top notch and a audiophile delight. I hope they start her catalog from the 70's. Thanks for the quick service as well!

Francoise got only about 4 English album released internationally and this collects most of her English songs except perhaps one Album. Not overly remastered and kept her sweet and melancholic voice. A must buy for her global fans if you have not got her individual albums.

Blues in this case refers to love songs rather than American Blues. Hardy is a sensitive feeling type singer and does a great job with period songs.

Hardy runs the gamut this eclectic collection from 1972.

Been listening to her since 1967. Love the voice

Heard the score in an old movie. Brought back memories. Would recommend to the old folks. Pleasant sounds for me

I rediscovered my love of this lady's voice after 60 years or so and it still has a magnetic attraction. I was tempted to give this album a 5 star. A lot of work has gone into the orchestration and very well done it is as well, BUT, Hardy's voice demands to be listened to and on some of the tracks the instrumentals are just a bit overpowering and detract from her unique distinctive voice which I could listen to all day (and do sometimes). My only gripe is the mixing on some tracks, otherwise, beautiful. I have now bought another 2 of her CDs and almost worn them out if that was possible. Made an almost 80 year old very happy! So sad she has been unwell recently. I have no idea what she is singing about as I have no French but that doesn't matter. If she sang the alphabet it would still sound great.

Just as promised, really good buy.

Francoise Hardy Is Just So Good

A most enjoyable album.

Fantastic