Photo: Jorge Fidel Alvarez
When the entire musical score of a concert is in the language of love, it’s hardly surprising when all of the songs are about love, too. Paris Combo makes its audience fall in love – in love with their catchy rhythms, in love with dancing to the beat, and in love with love itself.
Paris Combo are world music in the truest sense of the word – they blend French, gypsy, French, Latino and Middle Eastern culture, both in their musical influences and in the heritage of the band members themselves. Despite the myriad of cultures represented, all songs (bar one) are in French. For non-French speakers 80 minutes of French could be a little overwhelming, but each song is unique, dynamic and rhythmic enough to keep you interested, and the band do their best to keep the audience in the loop with explanations and audience participation.
Vocalist and host for the night, Belle du Berry, is a true chanteuse – elegant, coy and with a mischievous tone to her singing voice that seems unique to the French. Her fun, self-deprecating sense of humour is not-at-all marred by her occasional difficulties with English; if anything, her “Franglais” endears her further to the audience.
Du Berry clearly loves to dance as much as she loves to sing, constantly grooving with her band and trying (but mostly failing) to get the audience to join her in a boogie. The chemistry in the group is evident, particularly between du Berry and her partner and bandleader, Victoria-born David Lewis. Lewis plays the piano and trumpet with confidence, easily anticipating du Berry’s twists and turns. His innovative, underwater use of the trumpet was a clear highlight of the show, both for its novelty value and its surprising musicality.
Percussionist François François is a skilled musician and a likeable, melodic crooner, slipping into an old-school American singing accent that you wouldn’t expect from a man called François. Guitarist Potzi is a man of few words, but when he lets his fingers do the talking his talent is clear, and although the bassist, newcomer Emmanuel Chabbey, is still building chemistry with his bandmates, his rhythm, musicality and cheeky facial expressions make him an excellent fit for the quirky quintet.
The venue was one of the few drawbacks of the show; although du Berry was visibly itching to get the audience on their feet and dancing, the traditional theatre seating of the Dunstan Playhouse simply isn’t built for dancing in the aisles – the twenty-or-so audience members who were dancing looked cramped, and blocking the exits probably violates some kind of fire code. Cabaret-style table seating (preferably with a dancefloor in front) would have been much more appropriate for the informal, dancey vibe Paris Combo were clearly trying to cultivate.
Paris Combo’s return to Australia is a triumphant one, with sold-out theatres and well-deserved standing ovations in every show so far. Paris Combo will make your day and, if and bring your dancing shoes, you’ll make their day too.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Paris Combo
Belle du Berry, David Lewis, Emmanuel Chabbey, François François and Potzi
Sydney – City Recital Hall 10 June
Melbourne – Recital Centre 11 June
Disclaimer: Paige Mulholland is a volunteer for the Adelaide Festival Centre
