I took two years of college French, which included reading books in that language and countless hours in the language lab reciting in French, and now I can say that my aunt's pen is on the table...
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| Paris France (Viking River Cruises) |
Eric Satie: The Velvet Gentleman
For the past several years it's been nice to see several A to Z participants blogging about France and French culture. Getting educated is a nice thing about reading blogs. The posts about France are interesting to me since I have never been there nor is it likely that I ever will be. But I can dream can't I?
These days, eating at a good French restaurant is a bit out of my league, but I still enjoy French Fries on a regular basis, order French onion soup if it's on the menu of a place where I'm eating, and occasionally purchase the French roast coffee if it's darkest boldest one on sale.
More than anything though I sometimes like to immerse myself in French classical music. Eric Satie became a favorite composer of mine around 1970 or so after seeing a documentary about "The Velvet Gentleman" as Satie has been called. In the documentary they played Satie's "Trois Gymnopédies"" which I recognized from the version that appeared on Blood,Sweat and Tears' second album.
From that point I started researching Satie and buying any music I could find by him. Compared to other composers, Satie has a rather limited catalog of music--mostly solo piano music. Still, as I became more familiar with his music, he became among my favorite "classical" composers though more legitimately he comes from the movements of Impressionism and Surrealism. No surprise that I liked his music--it's often quirky and sometimes hauntingly beautiful.
So that's one more point about my personal tastes and that's what Battle of the Bands is mostly about. That's why my previous Battle was chosen. Three versions of music by Eric Satie is like a buffet of desserts for me...
Battle of the Bands Results
This Battle was another exciting horse race (if that's an okay analogy after the Kentucky Derby fiasco). Apparently I offered a fair balance of something for everyone not unlike the mash-up Battle I offered in the middle of April.
Any one of these Battle selections is a winner for me as it was a somewhat difficult choice for me to make. But like those who voted, I settled for my absolute favorite--mine being the jazzy version by the Jacques Loussier Trio. A few years ago this album stayed on replay in my office for many weeks. It's great music to write by at night.
As you will see in the results, this is almost an ideal Battle due to the closeness of the voting. Doesn't get much better than this...
Final Vote Tally
Chicha Libre 8
Quartet Cinderella 6
Jacques Loussier Trio 6
Next Battle on Wednesday May 15th
I'm going to stay quiet here until that date, but I'll keep trying to visit around to keep in touch with what you all are up to. And if you're being quiet like me, I hope we're all productive in other realms. Stay happy!
What is your favorite thing about France? Have you ever visited France? Are you familiar with the music of Eric Satie?
I picked the winner.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I have been to France, many years ago.
Alex, I've been to Quebec and Louisiana and heard a lot of French being spoken in those places.
DeleteLee
I picked the second.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yvonne, it was a difficult choice for me since I like string combo music so much.
DeleteLee
I've never been to France, but Mary has, when she was in high school. She stayed close to Strasbourg, which she says was much more pleasant than if she had gone to Paris. Apparently, there's Paris, and then there's the rest of the country, and they're different as chalk and cheese.
ReplyDeleteWe went to The Netherlands and England in 1990 (I went on business, she came along for the ride), arriving in Amsterdam on Bastille Day. I tried to talk her into going to Paris, and she put the kibosh on that. Had I ben alone, I would have been on the first train to Paris, probably had my wallet and passport stolen, and not be able to figure out how to get back...
The only Satie I'm familiar with is "Trois Gymnopedies," which Blood Sweat & Tears did on their eponymous second album. I'm just not a classical kind of guy...
John, maybe you need to go back to explore classical music more deeply. It can be such a great listening experience.
DeleteLee
Great battle, Lee! I have visited France; Strasbourg (had relatives there), Versailles and Paris in 1966 and Marseille & Nice last fall. I love the history, food and wine. My first encounter with Eric Satie was right here, last week. Thanks for the introduction. ☺
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, you certainly have done an extensive amount of international travel. I'm surprised you weren't familiar with Satie before. His music is nice to relax to.
DeleteLee
That was a first-rate Battle, LEE. Can't argue with a vote tally as close as that one was.
ReplyDeleteI haven't figured out what I'm going to use in the May 15th BOTB installment, other than that it WON'T be Blues. Having used the Blues in the last two consecutive contests, it's time to shift gears.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, I was thinking of a blues song for my next one, but then I decided I wanted to stay positive coming off of A to Z. Maybe I'll be ready for some blues soon though. I've got a very good one queued up, but I'm not sure that I should use the version by Nat King Cole--have to think on that.
DeleteLee
This was a nice battle and I really like when the artists are new to me. And I voted for the winner!
ReplyDeleteI've been to the Cote d'Azur and I loved Nice and Villefranche. Took the train to Monaco...so pretty, with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Cherdo, That trip sounds nice. I have postage stamps from Monaco--that's as close as I'm likely to ever get to the place.
DeleteLee
I was fortunate enough to actually live in the South of France for two years in the mid-80s. My favorite things were the markets, perched villages, and outdoor cafes. And so much more...
ReplyDeletePatricia, that's a pretty cool experience to have for your memories.
DeleteLee
I'm so sorry I missed this battle! My husband actually plays a bit of Satie on the piano. We have a few CD's of his music. You know by now that I've been to France. I just can't say what would be my favorite thing about that beautiful country, because of course, there are too many things I like to pick just one...
ReplyDeleteLisa, I was hoping you'd make it for that Battle, but at least this post since I know your love for France. Hard to pick an absolute favorite thing about any diverse country I think.
DeleteLee
Growing up in the South of England, France was within easy reach so I've been there many times - love the cuisine, the scenery, the language and the music - including Satie. My sister went to university in Paris and I went to college in Quebec - very different French in those two as I discovered when I tried speaking Quebecois in Paris. Only her Breton friends understood - but French-Canada's earliest colonists were mainly Bretons.
ReplyDeleteRoland, you know a lot more about this than I do. I did manage to resort to some remembered French at a Tim Horton's Donut Shop when I was in Quebec a few years ago.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteYay, my pick wins! :)
No, I have never been to France. You won't catch me traveling abroad because I'm a big scardey Cathy and it's very expensive! :) What do I like best about France? I'd have to say French Fries. :) As far as I know I am not familiar with Erik Satie before your introduction. Thanks for sharing the outcome. Have a good week & thanks for visiting on Mother's Day, my friend!
Cathy, it's not so much being scared to go for me, but it's mostly the expense. I can find much better things to do that better suits me and keeps my money in the United States.
DeleteLee
Lee,
DeleteTraveling is crazy expensive. I'm purrfectly happy with seeing America and as you said, keep my money in the states. That helps our economy and keeps people employed. There's so much of this country that I haven't seen and if I had the money to do nothing but travel then I'd probably wouldn't get a chance to see or do everything I want in this life time anyhow. :)
If I were younger with more money I'd like to set out to see the world, but now I want to be closer to what is familiar to me.
DeleteLee
When I was in junior high, I found a book written in French. I would sit for hours reading it out loud (Yes, I faked it). I've always had a secret desire to learn French. :)
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Teresa, I'd like to speak French, but I guess I don't have the patience to learn it when there are so many other things I want (need) to do.
DeleteLee
I'd love to visit France someday, but I most strongly prefer to visit cities like Lille, Béziers, Nantes, Lyon, Montpellier, Reims, Calais, etc., before Paris. I've long been annoyed at how many people swoon all over Paris as though it's the only city in France, or the only city worth visiting. The old architecture probably holds the most appeal for me.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, from what I've been hearing lately Paris doesn't seem as appealing as it once did. It seems kind of like Los Angeles with older buildings and monuments.
DeleteLee
I had to go back and see who I voted for - Jacques Loussier Trio. I have never been to France, but I do have a granddaughter who was born in New Orleans and used to say "beaucoup" without even knowing it was French, until she moved to Texas and forgot her French.
ReplyDeleteKristin, I remember when a lot of people used to say "beaucoup". You and I were in agreement on the song choice.
DeleteLee