Françoise Hardy – In Deutschland
This is a remastered 1965 German-language set produced by Jacques Wolfshon with 14 reissued tracks. It may appeal more to people who understand German, but Germany has a folk music culture. Some songs can be interpreted as pop mixed with middle-of-the-road sensibilities sprayed with a Nico mist. The showcase maintains an alt-rootsy albeit Euro-tradition.
Is this Americana? Well, In Deutschland (Dropped Dec 12/Omnivore/Disques Vogue/Sony Music/34:50) isn’t in the mode Americans are accustomed to. It is a foreign flavor. But foreign singers adapt to the Americana style (Italian, Eugenio Finardi released an all-English blues LP “Anima Blues” that charted in Texas!). Elvis sang a German folk song “Wooden Heart” (“Muss Ich denn” & even sang parts in German) & Bert Kaempfert charted several times. So, in a sense, rootsy music can be found in foreign language albums.
The late French alto Françoise Hardy (1944-2024) was involved with many songwriting genres & worked with the renowned producer Tony Hatch (Petula Clark). She had a career that lasted over 50 years, singing melancholic Jacques Brel-type songs, romantic & sentimental ballads, sad songs in a folksy style & released LPs in English.
Her influence had varied sources — country pop like Brenda Lee, Connie Francis, the Everly Brothers, Nick Drake (who visited Hardy in the studio), pop ’60s girl groups, Brill Building writer Neil Sedaka, early giants like Elvis Presley & Paul Anka. She even worked with Mick Jones (Foreigner). An infatuated Bob Dylan wrote a poem about Hardy that appeared on his 1964 LP “Another Side of Bob Dylan.”
Ms. Hardy gently opens with a smoothness that’s a pleasant surprise since German isn’t considered a romantic open vowel language like Italian, French & Spanish. “Wenn Dieses Lied Erklinot,” (When the Song Plays) has a distinguished melodic flavor. “Frag’ Den Abendwind,” (Ask the Evening Wind) has a delicate Bert Kaempfert-type approach. More dramatic & memorable with a rootsy Spanish touch is “Dann Bist Du Verliebt,” (Then You’re In Love). More whispery is the beautiful balladry of “Ein Fenster Wird Hell,” (A Window Lights Up) with its gentle piano notes & Hardy’s sincere, intimate voice.
There are tunes heavily influenced by ‘60s American pop drenched in typical Liberty Records string style, done with a modicum of taste if not a bit dated today. Harder guttural lyrics arrive on “Peter Und Lou” (Peter & Lou), but it retains its charm. “Die Andere” is similar to early Amon Duul II & in any language is an infectious melody. Terrific, exceptional Françoise song.
German? Highly recommended. Not German. Challenge yourself.
Highlights – “Wenn Dieses Lied Erklinot,” “Frag’ Den Abendwind,” “Dann Bist Du Verliebt,” “Ein Fenster Wird Hell,” “Ich Sag’Ja” (I Say Yes), “Peter Und Lou,” “Ich Steige Dir Auf’s Dach,” (I’m Going To Climb Onto Your Roof), “Oh Oh Cheri,” “Ich Bin Nun Mal Ein Madchen” (I’m Just a Girl”) & “Die Andere” (The Other).
Orchestrations – Charles Nova, Charles Blackwell, Marcel Hendrix, Rudi Bauer & Mickey Baker.
Color image courtesy of her Facebook photo gallery. A folded poster with images of singles & LPs included. CD @ Amazon & Apple + https://www.facebook.com/francoisehardyofficiel/