Happy Birthday Mr. President
Carla Bruni, wife of French President Sarkozy, has a new album released today in the UK and on the 22nd in the US. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while, so this is pretty exciting. I’m also having a bit of fun imagining other world leaders’ wives releasing albums. Seriously, wouldn’t you love a Laura Bush hip-hop album. Hilary Clinton could use another grammy. (Yes, another, she already has one for her recording of her book It Takes a Village and Other Lessons Children Teach Us, 1996).
I could see PM Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah with a CD though. Maybe European leader’s spouses are better suited to hit the mainstream music market.
Anyhow, Comme si de rien n’était (As if Nothing Happened) was streamable for a couple of hours Wednesday prior to its release, allowing us to have an early listen. It plays well, combining sweet singer-songwriting vocals with a French spin. I’ll admit my French is a bit rusty since high school, so I won’t do a length analysis of her lyrics (she wrote 11 of the 14 songs on the album). I can tell you that “Tu es ma came” talks about drug addiction, a provocative topic for the wife of a head of state. Overall, I enjoyed the CD. It’s something to listen to passively while reading or writing, to calm your mind, and if you’re looking for something for that sort of occasion, this is it.
As If Nothing Happened is Bruni’s 3rd full-length album.
