AAARGH! SARAH! Just realized you mentioned Edith Piaf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been thinking about Edith Piaf for days! The reason is
because when forced to think of French singers I remembered that John Peel came on the air at the end of a Cocteau Twins Peel Session and said "sounding a bit like Edith Piaf there, that's the Cocteau Twins..." Really I was thinking about that all last night, Sarah, so you are right on time with that.
Anyone want to translate some French for me?
Okay I will! In time that is...because right now I'm too excited. I can't believe it I just got Armande Altai's first album in the mail from 1979 all the way from France (it came faster than two records I ordered from England so I can't figure that out at all) and I mean, the minute the needle hit the grooves...I realized I am really smitten over this lady's work. I mean I guess she couldn't have done it without some exceptional musicians, but GOD...I've just got goose bumps all over my arms this is amazing. People compare her to Nina Hagen (from Germany) but I'd say that's a very unfair comparison because Hagen is just a bit too out there at times for me, never really have gotten into Nina Hagen. (although people say Kate Bush is too 'out there' so go figure)
Okay I'm going to turn over the record now and try to figure out where I'm going to order her other LP from that I still don't have. Luckily it likely won't cost me as much as the others. You cannot get her on CD at all, I've tried. I am actually thinking of buying another copy of the one produced by Martin Hannett just to see if the vinyl quality is better. It's either that or pay money for software that will allow me to remove the crackly sound of the vinyl.
Okay now that I've gotten that out of my system, here are some more lyrics for you:
Song is called Un Ciel D'Hiver (A Sky of Winter, I believe)
Un ciel d'hiver
Dans l'appartement
C'est le vide.
Toutes les lampes sont allumees (I can't do the little symbol over the e of course - unless I punch in some stupid html code which I won't look up and Sloth has not ventured to help with this even though I have brough it up that we need to have a button that will help to make that symbol)
Je m'en vais, immobile dans mon bain.
Les yeux pleins d'eau
Le front sur le carreau.
Au loin, il y a le monde
Comme une bete qui gronde
Et je suis trop faible pour lui.
Laisse-moi deriver au loin,
Quand tu vas rentrer ce soir.
Je suis comme une enfant,
Le nez desesperement colle a la "vitrine" de la vie.
Mais sans jamais y entrer.
Le temps a passe et je n'ai meme pas commence a vivre.
Avions-nous assez de talent pour continuer notre vie revee?
Un ciel d'hiver.
Dans l'appartement,
C'est le vide.
Et tous le princes,
Tous les chevaliers
Sont morts.
Immobile, je suis bien.
*chorus is here, starting with Les yeux again*
Je penetre si doucement
Dans mon silence
Viens ce soir, peut-etre allons comprendre.
Okay so that's it for now. I might type out the lyrics for "L'esclave Endormi" next but I'm tired of typing right now. Un Ciel D'Hiver was the one I was most curious about because it sounds so spooky.
Okay I'm going to turn over the record now and try to figure out where I'm going to order her other LP from that I still don't have. Luckily it likely won't cost me as much as the others. You cannot get her on CD at all, I've tried. I am actually thinking of buying another copy of the one produced by Martin Hannett just to see if the vinyl quality is better. It's either that or pay money for software that will allow me to remove the crackly sound of the vinyl.
Okay now that I've gotten that out of my system, here are some more lyrics for you:
Song is called Un Ciel D'Hiver (A Sky of Winter, I believe)
Un ciel d'hiver
Dans l'appartement
C'est le vide.
Toutes les lampes sont allumees (I can't do the little symbol over the e of course - unless I punch in some stupid html code which I won't look up and Sloth has not ventured to help with this even though I have brough it up that we need to have a button that will help to make that symbol)
Je m'en vais, immobile dans mon bain.
Les yeux pleins d'eau
Le front sur le carreau.
Au loin, il y a le monde
Comme une bete qui gronde
Et je suis trop faible pour lui.
Laisse-moi deriver au loin,
Quand tu vas rentrer ce soir.
Je suis comme une enfant,
Le nez desesperement colle a la "vitrine" de la vie.
Mais sans jamais y entrer.
Le temps a passe et je n'ai meme pas commence a vivre.
Avions-nous assez de talent pour continuer notre vie revee?
Un ciel d'hiver.
Dans l'appartement,
C'est le vide.
Et tous le princes,
Tous les chevaliers
Sont morts.
Immobile, je suis bien.
*chorus is here, starting with Les yeux again*
Je penetre si doucement
Dans mon silence
Viens ce soir, peut-etre allons comprendre.
Okay so that's it for now. I might type out the lyrics for "L'esclave Endormi" next but I'm tired of typing right now. Un Ciel D'Hiver was the one I was most curious about because it sounds so spooky.
to mark, from my mom 
:
Here is a very literal translation of the song. I hope this helps your Francophone.
"A Winter Sky"
In the apartment, it's empty.
All the lights are lit. I go along, immobile in my bath.
Eyes full of water
Forehead on the tile (this could possibly be pane of glass)
In the distance, there is the world
Like an animal that growls
and I am too weak for it.
Let me drift far off
when you are going to return this evening.
I am like a child,
Nose desperately stuck to the window of life
But without ever going in.
Time has passed and I have not even begun to live.
Did we have enough talent to continue the life we dreamed of?
A winter sky.
In the apartment it's empty.
And all the princes, all the knights
are dead.
Immobile, I am well.
I penetrate so softly
into my silence
Come this evening, perhaps let's understand.
:Here is a very literal translation of the song. I hope this helps your Francophone.
"A Winter Sky"
In the apartment, it's empty.
All the lights are lit. I go along, immobile in my bath.
Eyes full of water
Forehead on the tile (this could possibly be pane of glass)
In the distance, there is the world
Like an animal that growls
and I am too weak for it.
Let me drift far off
when you are going to return this evening.
I am like a child,
Nose desperately stuck to the window of life
But without ever going in.
Time has passed and I have not even begun to live.
Did we have enough talent to continue the life we dreamed of?
A winter sky.
In the apartment it's empty.
And all the princes, all the knights
are dead.
Immobile, I am well.
I penetrate so softly
into my silence
Come this evening, perhaps let's understand.
Wow, that's really fabulous stuff. I wish I could convey just how scary and impassioned she gets on this one. Maybe I will provide a link later if I can be arsed.
But see, when you say "immobile in my bath" I figure she's in a bathtub in the dark. That would make sense if she's putting her forehead on the tile. I really dig this whole scenario, it's very metaphysical. Kindof like that movie Altered States.
But see, when you say "immobile in my bath" I figure she's in a bathtub in the dark. That would make sense if she's putting her forehead on the tile. I really dig this whole scenario, it's very metaphysical. Kindof like that movie Altered States.
This is my other favourite song from the album, you can really hear Martin Hannett's atmospheric influence on this one (boy does he make the guitar sound like Joy Division) and it's very catchy:
Title is "Balance-toi, Lola, Seule Sous La Luna, Nue Dans Les Lilas"
(good god is that a long enough title?)
Le gout de l'eau de vie l'au-dela,
Personne ne peut boire l'eau pour toi.
Il faut que ce soit toi qui la boive,
Le gout de l'eau de vie l'au-dela.
Tu ne sauras jamais ma souffrance,
Tu ne sauras jamais ma jouissance.
Ce sera toujours chacun pour soi,
Le gout de l'eau de vie l'au-dela.
Aussi doucement que tu peux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Aussi longtemps que tu veux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Aussi leger que tu peux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Aussi doucement que tu veux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Balance-toi, Lola,
Seule sous la luna,
Nue dans les lilas.
Plonge dans le miroir
Du lac des Cyclades,
Belle naiade.
Ouvre grand tes yeux,
Bois tout le ciel bleu,
Meurs dans chaque Amour.
Balance-toi, etc...
____________________
Okay last one...
Title is "L'Esclave Endormi"
Paleur, orphique beaute,
Garcon effeuille sur ma couche,
Nimbe de perversite,
Un souffle innocent sur la bouche.
Vautre dans les dentelles
Ton corps evanoui
Que le desir ecartelle
L'esclave Endormi.
Poisse de parfums et de vin
Enroule de guirlandes de fleurs (garlands of flowers eh?)
Offert au vent frais du matin,
Gorge de nerfs et de langueurs.
Vautre dans les dentelles, etc.
Flottant au souffle d'Eole,
Gisant dans une tempete soumise,
Que l'aile de l'aube bleue frole,
Ton flanc qu'un frisson frele irise.
Vautre dans les dentelles, etc.
__________________________
Okay here's one more. The album ends with this song, and I like it because it's so short and beautiful and it tells me the album has come to and end.
Title: Vagues D'Azur
Planter tres, tres loin mon regard dans le ciel,
Surtout ne pas penser, ne pas pleurer,
Remplir ma tete de cascades bleues.
Je t'oublierai...
Title is "Balance-toi, Lola, Seule Sous La Luna, Nue Dans Les Lilas"
(good god is that a long enough title?)
Le gout de l'eau de vie l'au-dela,
Personne ne peut boire l'eau pour toi.
Il faut que ce soit toi qui la boive,
Le gout de l'eau de vie l'au-dela.
Tu ne sauras jamais ma souffrance,
Tu ne sauras jamais ma jouissance.
Ce sera toujours chacun pour soi,
Le gout de l'eau de vie l'au-dela.
Aussi doucement que tu peux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Aussi longtemps que tu veux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Aussi leger que tu peux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Aussi doucement que tu veux, HIYAHOO (bis)
Balance-toi, Lola,
Seule sous la luna,
Nue dans les lilas.
Plonge dans le miroir
Du lac des Cyclades,
Belle naiade.
Ouvre grand tes yeux,
Bois tout le ciel bleu,
Meurs dans chaque Amour.
Balance-toi, etc...
____________________
Okay last one...
Title is "L'Esclave Endormi"
Paleur, orphique beaute,
Garcon effeuille sur ma couche,
Nimbe de perversite,
Un souffle innocent sur la bouche.
Vautre dans les dentelles
Ton corps evanoui
Que le desir ecartelle
L'esclave Endormi.
Poisse de parfums et de vin
Enroule de guirlandes de fleurs (garlands of flowers eh?)
Offert au vent frais du matin,
Gorge de nerfs et de langueurs.
Vautre dans les dentelles, etc.
Flottant au souffle d'Eole,
Gisant dans une tempete soumise,
Que l'aile de l'aube bleue frole,
Ton flanc qu'un frisson frele irise.
Vautre dans les dentelles, etc.
__________________________
Okay here's one more. The album ends with this song, and I like it because it's so short and beautiful and it tells me the album has come to and end.
Title: Vagues D'Azur
Planter tres, tres loin mon regard dans le ciel,
Surtout ne pas penser, ne pas pleurer,
Remplir ma tete de cascades bleues.
Je t'oublierai...
Also it sure seems like French would be an easier language to learn than German. I took two years of German in high school but reached a point where I felt I'd fallen behind my peers and I dropped out of it. Never took any French. Doesn't seem like they put the verbs at the end of sentences, though like the Germans do - or am I wrong?
i don't know about the verbs in german. i'll forward your questions and the other lyrics on to my mom.
"when you say "immobile in my bath" I figure she's in a bathtub in the dark"
i know it does feel like she'd be in the dark, but the speaker says: All the lights are lit. I go along, immobile in my bath so?
btw i think the lyrics are very beautiful. dreamy / sleepy lyrics:
Eyes full of water
Forehead on the tile (this could possibly be pane of glass)
In the distance, there is the world
Like an animal that growls
and I am too weak for it.
Let me drift far off
when you are going to return this evening.
and they are also sad to me:
Nose desperately stuck to the window of life
But without ever going in.
Time has passed and I have not even begun to live.
i feel sorry for the speaker, waiting for life to begin, but i guess that is what winter is all about sometimes, waiting for spring and life to begin again.
so you know, no problem . . . thanks for sharing i enjoy them without "hearing" them.[/code]
"when you say "immobile in my bath" I figure she's in a bathtub in the dark"
i know it does feel like she'd be in the dark, but the speaker says: All the lights are lit. I go along, immobile in my bath so?
btw i think the lyrics are very beautiful. dreamy / sleepy lyrics:
Eyes full of water
Forehead on the tile (this could possibly be pane of glass)
In the distance, there is the world
Like an animal that growls
and I am too weak for it.
Let me drift far off
when you are going to return this evening.
and they are also sad to me:
Nose desperately stuck to the window of life
But without ever going in.
Time has passed and I have not even begun to live.
i feel sorry for the speaker, waiting for life to begin, but i guess that is what winter is all about sometimes, waiting for spring and life to begin again.
so you know, no problem . . . thanks for sharing i enjoy them without "hearing" them.[/code]
I feel as if my injured ankle today is like a lover that I can't figure out how to please. I can't tell if I'm supposed to put weight on it yet, or ice it more, or do the exercises where you trace out the alphabet with your toes, or the ones where you stretch your calf muscles, or heel muscles, etc etc...
Any luck on the translations, Sarah?
I just got the third Armande Altai album in the mail, this one from 1981. Very avant garde. Very odd post-punk. Might be the best one of all, really. You get the feeling Roxy Music/Brian Eno would have approved. It's pop, but it's really out there at the same time, very strange in spots. There are even two songs where she did the music herself! Usually she only does the words. One of the ones where she does the music herself is my favourite. I'd like to compare her to Kate Bush but Kate does her own music.
Interesting thing about Armande though is she didn't use any of the same musicians on her three albums. I think that's kindof cool, actually.
I just got the third Armande Altai album in the mail, this one from 1981. Very avant garde. Very odd post-punk. Might be the best one of all, really. You get the feeling Roxy Music/Brian Eno would have approved. It's pop, but it's really out there at the same time, very strange in spots. There are even two songs where she did the music herself! Usually she only does the words. One of the ones where she does the music herself is my favourite. I'd like to compare her to Kate Bush but Kate does her own music.
Interesting thing about Armande though is she didn't use any of the same musicians on her three albums. I think that's kindof cool, actually.
Hey! No word.
I forgot my mom has been and still is out of town, but I'm sure she'll do it when she gets back.
I called my parents' house yesterday to see if my dad could help me make a vermicomposter to compost these german diapers, moltex. They are the only nappies/diapers that are marketed as compostable, even the package is, so anyway I called and he answered, and I said, what in the world are you doing answering the phone because it is very unlike my dad to be near a phone much less answering it, and he said, like a sad little kid, your mom's out of town.
I said oh, well I guess she hasn't read the three emails I've sent her.
I'll post it as soon as she sends it to me.
And my dad's going to help me make a vermicomposter, in the uk they call them wormeries. isn't that fun?
It's father's day btw for anybody who is not bored reading this and is lucky enough to have a good dad still around, call him.
I forgot my mom has been and still is out of town, but I'm sure she'll do it when she gets back.
I called my parents' house yesterday to see if my dad could help me make a vermicomposter to compost these german diapers, moltex. They are the only nappies/diapers that are marketed as compostable, even the package is, so anyway I called and he answered, and I said, what in the world are you doing answering the phone because it is very unlike my dad to be near a phone much less answering it, and he said, like a sad little kid, your mom's out of town.
I said oh, well I guess she hasn't read the three emails I've sent her.
I'll post it as soon as she sends it to me.
And my dad's going to help me make a vermicomposter, in the uk they call them wormeries. isn't that fun?
It's father's day btw for anybody who is not bored reading this and is lucky enough to have a good dad still around, call him.
Anybody here heard of Danielle Dax? That's what it reminded me of. Now Danielle Dax is another very strange female singer. I wish I still had her early albums but they got left behind at my parent's house and that makes me sad. I don't think I've even got Inky Bloaters which was her masterpiece.
She was English, though. She used to be in a duo called...um...wait...don't tell me...my friend wanted a CD of them...music too complicated for me but very collectible...
LEMON KITTENS that's it!!! Yeah that's the name of her thing before she went solo is Lemon Kittens.
I'd like to kill myself for not having Inky Bloaters right now. But I can rectify that.
She was English, though. She used to be in a duo called...um...wait...don't tell me...my friend wanted a CD of them...music too complicated for me but very collectible...
LEMON KITTENS that's it!!! Yeah that's the name of her thing before she went solo is Lemon Kittens.
I'd like to kill myself for not having Inky Bloaters right now. But I can rectify that.