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Even if there is some eye brow raising with the French anglophile choices that make the final mix, Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel are well known for their pop sensibilities.

The Cure, Japan, The Troggs, even Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath!) all fit in. I never knew Sabbath had a softer side, indeed, ‘Planet Caravan’ may be the only track they ever did like this but amaze your friends.

The ones to watch for are the cinematic ‘O’ Venezia Venaga Venusia’, ‘Camille’ and Tan ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’ Dun to get you chilled in a way Classic FM should (but won’t).

To keep up with our folk habbit, Jeff Alexander’s ‘Come Wander With Me’ could be another canditade for a Tunng cover or even, The Troggs ‘Cousin Jane’. And Cat Power could have easily found a home on Folk Off (even if ‘Metal Heart’ was on Rough Trade Shops — Singer Songwriter 01). Elliot Smith was also on that CD but at least they’ve chosen a different track here.

Robert Wyatt’s lullaby to his wife and artist Alfie is typically Wyatt-like and could anyone get tired of Minnie Riperton’s ‘Loving You’? I think not.

Sébastien Tellier’s ‘Le Long De La Rivière Tendre’ is on this CD and is being reissued on his new collection of old stuff Universe (including the everlasting ‘La Ritournelle’).

No surprise that Lee Hazelwood’s ‘My Autumn’s Done Come’ is sixties big strings but the huge crate digging find is by Scott Walker. Scott Walker is probably more remarkable than Black Sabbath in this respect but ‘The Old Man’s Back Again’ is huge on the strings and a big stand out track; similar to the shock of DJ Andy Smith picking a Tom Jones track on the first The Document compilation.

Part of my pre-conception to this album was an interview with Charlotte Gainsbourg on Radio 4, who has a new album coming out this month. She collaborated with Jarvis Cocker and Air on her first record since singing with her Dad when she was a thirteen year old. That’s as much as anyone will ever need to know on the subject I’d have thought but… anyway, AIR’s next album is due for release next February I’m now even looking forward to.

Lounge or chill or classic, this edition of Late Night Tales is far better than I expected, especially as it ends with one of AIR’s tracks and then some Ravell. Just goes to show how far this series has come since Another Late Night’s and the spoken word sessions read by David Shrigley, Jane Kemlo and Ricky Richards. “Put as much in as you get out” may be a truism that your Dad would have told you, but it’s applied on this compilation as AIR have put in an awful lot. You’ll get a lot out of this Late Night Tale CD, particularly ‘The Old Man’s Back Again’. Chapeau AIR, merci beaucoup.

Also, check out some more French stuff going on in London with a wide range of gigs during October to December (see listings HERE) including Sebastien Tellier, Ivan Smagghe the Gotan Project and many, many more. Très Bien!

Hectic Mix Nomination: ‘The Old Man’s Back Again’, ‘Cousin Jane’, ‘My Autumn’s Done Come’.

Links:
www.azuli.com
www.myspace.com/sebastientellier
www.leehazlewood.net

Reviewed: V/A — Late Night Tales: AIR (Azuli Records) Cat. No: ALNCD15 Release date: 2nd October 2006
Tracklisting:
1. The Cure — All Cats Are Grey
2. Black Sabbath — Planet Caravan
3. Nino Rota — O’ Venezia Venaga Venusia
4. The Band — I Shall Be Released
5. Georges Delerue — Camille
6. Japan — Ghosts
7. Scott Walker — The Old Man’s Back Again
8. Jeff Alexander — Come Wander With Me
9. Cat Power — Metal Heart
10. Minnie Riperton — Lovin’ You
11. Tan Dun — For The World
12. Sébastien Tellier — Le Long De La Rivière Tendre
13. Lee Hazlewood — My Autumn’s Done Come
14. Robert Wyatt — P.L.A.
15. Elliott Smith — Let’s Get Lost
16. The Troggs — Cousin Jane
17. AIR / Alessandro Baricco — Musica
18. The Cleveland Orchestra — Ravel: Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte