Clothilde
Label: Born Bad
$27.99
Availability: In stock
2021 repress; LP version. Comes with a four-page insert. Clothilde, queen of the “Swingin’ Mademoiselles.” Why Clothilde? Why not that more star-worthy, internationally-acclaimed Françoise Hardy, or the more akin to the sub-genre, France Gall? Because she’s the most characteristic, archtypical French mademoiselle, that’s why! Christine Pilzer, even Jacqueline Taïeb before her, both may have been rediscovered first in this style unique to French ’60s pop, and Stella also may have been the most out and out “anti-ye-ye” with her slightly anti-establishment and derisive lyrics countering the pop system and establishment, but Cleo’s all about text, not that much as a whole production. As such, Clothilde takes the crown. Not only has Clothilde the most natural (albeit unknowingly) disposition as a chanteuse, singing such subversive lyrics with as much second degree detachment as possible but also, the music itself is highly original: inventive arrangements including French horn, musical saw, church bells, barrel organ, marimba, brass fiddle, woodwinds, and busy fuzz guitar amidst all that slapstick comedy-like audio bric-à-brac. Almost avant-garde in concept, it was imagined and produced by Clothilde’s impresario, manager and indeed creator, legendary Disques Vogue A.D. Germinal Tenas. This could’ve only come out of France.