Musique D'Express

Musique D'Express, Compagnie Internationale

"Joe le taxi. Y va pas partout. Y marche pas au soda." 

(Joe the Taxi driver. He doesn't go everywhere. 

He dosen't work on soda) - Vanessa Paradis (1988)

When most Francophiles think of/listen to French music it's of the Josephine Baker, Edith Piaf variety. But I think that's because most Francophiles are adults before they can fully consummate and indulge in Paris-love. Don't get me wrong, I learned to love these ladies and most classic French music, especially French Jazz. But French music is deeper, wider and taller than that. Luckily for me, my introduction to the variety and infinite possibilities of French music came in my late teens, early 20s...

Joe Le Taxi - Vanessa Paradis

Yes, she was Johnny Depp's 'wife.'

In the early-90s I was at university working part-time at Express (the 'younger' sister of The Limited Express). Back in the day Express was "the number one source for fashion-savvy American women to indulge in sleek, Parisian style." I loved working there. The place was always packed, I got my first pick of the latest deliveries and I got 40% off everything (no retailer does that for their sales teams' anymore - sigh). Express also played the coolest music.

"Picasso" - Claudia Phillips

Back in the day most clothing stores, if they played music (then a rarity) played cassettes or new fangeled cds that the manager brought in. But Express, being on the Euro-youth-cutting edge, went one huge step further. They made a deal with Polygram Records to create a one-of-a-kind soundtrack for their stores. Of course the theme was French music, with some world music thrown in for good measure. Instead of playing the music that we American teens were listening to (i.e. Coolio, Bon Jovi, Hootie and the Blowfish etc.), Express/Polygram put together compilations of music we American youths had never heard of - and it was incredible: moody, sensual, lush, quirky, soothing and addictive. This little known genre is Sophisti-pop, with a Parisian flare.

"Soleil d'Hiver" - Niagra

The soundtrack quickly became very popular. Nearly every time while  I was ringing up a customer, they asked if they could buy the music playing in the store. So popular that Express released a compilation cassette to the masses exclusively in their stores - Musique D'Express. I still have mine. Unfortunately, it's out of print and very hard to find (you can get a used cassette from Amazon.com/@ $14). Okay, now flash forward to the 21st century. Thank Goddess for the internets, YouTube, and iTunes - where you can find info on the songs and artists, watch live performance videos, or better yet, the 90s era original music videos (as well as these artists' other great music), and download them for your very own - yay!

"Joue Pas" Francois Feldman avec Joniece Jamison

This is my favorite, and you know 

I had to add a sistah to the mix!

I have a cobbled together a Musique d'Express playlist of my very own - joy of JOYS ;-) And every track still sounds as fresh and innovative as they did 21 years ago - goodness has it been that long? Sadly, 2 of the original 10 fabulous tracks on this compilation are not to be found anywhere - but I won't stop looking - and will update this post when I find them, and I will. So take a listen, create your own playlist. You know you want to ;-}

And, yes, I regularly blast my Musique d'Express playlist in my car with the top down, singing along in my mangled French at the top of my lungs - much to the chagrin of my three children. But they only pretend to be too cool. After the first song or two they're sing along with me.

Musique D'Express

1.  "Picasso" - Claudia Phillips

2.  "Soleil d'Hiver" - Niagra

3.  "Joue Pas" - Francois Feldman

4.  "Fric Frac" - Luna Parker (Only available for download in Europe - drat! It is at AmazonUK., the music vid is on YouTube)

5.  "Soldat" - Vanessa Paradis

6.  "Joe le Taxi" - Vanessa Paradis

7.  "Mon Legionnarie" - Serge Gainsbourg 

8.  "Tu Es Formidable" - Lio (not available anywhere, the music vid is on YouTube)

9.  "Oui, Je l'adore" - Pauline Ester

10. "J'ai Peur" - Francois Feldman

Other articles about this wonderful-magical-musical cassette:
Audio Archaeology (Cap Blackard, April 2009)
Shadows & Light (Steve Reed, April 2012) 

Take us out Pauline!

"Oui, Je l'adore" - Pauline Ester

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple