I like that word a lot better than beginner.
And that's what I'll be tonight, when I sing in French, in public, for the first time.
It's just a little open mic at our local bar. The performers will mostly be teenagers, including our friend Ned who plays guitar amazingly well and who helped organize the event, at Eric's suggestion.
Eric and I are playing a Francoise Hardy song, "Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles" which is possibly the French equivalent of singing "Your Cheatin' Heart", or "Crazy". I'm sure my voice will crack at an unplanned moment.
I've been wanting to sing a French song since we arrived here, and the neighbors always ask if we've learned anything yet. Now that the words are making more sense, I want to try.
Tomorrow we have an actual show in Angouleme, and for that I'll more likely know what I'm doing. But tonight there's a possibility I'll fall on my ass. (Not literally of course, I'll leave that for gigs in Norwich.)
There has to be a first time for everything, right?
4 comments:
good luck...I only have one french song in my repertoire which is La vie en rose (reggae version!). Strangely my french bass player partner quite often forgets the chords for the solo which adds to the entertainment value when you are only two onstage. He hates chanson francais as do I...so I dont think he ever rehearses it. It does mean less scope for improvising the words if you forget them however, since French audiences know the text par coeur!
I hope it went well! I adore that Francoise Hardy song. Maybe one day you can post your version here?
Thankfully I didn't embarrass myself too much though I had to resort to a lyric sheet which I hate! Next time without I hope. I have a real weakness for this stuff, the subtle lyrics and the melodies with their mixture of sadness and hopefulness. I'd love to be able to post a version, Le Tigre, when I get it better.
Rosie I had to laugh about your comment re French audiences knowing the words - it really is a sacred canon and I can just imagine the glares and indignance if you took liberties with the words!
I hope it went well..I'm sure it did and you'll be singing en francaise like a native!
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