Belleville

Editorial Reviews
Scott Hylbert, Pittsburgh Citysearch, June 2001
Belleville have self-produced a gem of a rootsrock statement.

John Brandon, The Alt-Country Pages, January, 2001
Belleville is one of those bands that doesn't exactly catch you right away, but look out when they do.

Album Description
This new California group revolves largely around the figure of it's leader, Mark Caputo (vocals, guitar, piano and banjo), who considers this debut disc a kind of starting point for his band, a simple, straight-forward introduction as they try to make a name for themselves on the regional roots rock scene in the U.S. The brevity of the album Belleville, released last spring with ten songs lasting only thirty minutes makes this a kind of demo for the band, but a very well polished demo at that. you can check out their web site and listen to some mp3 selections to get an idea their fresh, free-ranging sound, a clean "roots rock" that grows out of the world of "no depression." It might be too quick to say if they have what it takes to emerge from the pack of pretenders, but they do seem to have a knack for writting little country gems. The first song, Blame, for example, is a lo-fi country ballad that sounds part Sparklehorse, or minor key songs like Windchime(featuring Bruce Drake on vocals and pedal steel) or Riverman, which seem to be taken right out of the alt. country manual written by Son Volt and its various progeny. More pop driven, but still filled with nice little hooks, are the honky tonk sound of Gatherer, the country rythmn of Curb and Gutter(which opens with the sound of a jew's-harp) and Tulsa County Blues. The two covers also give a hint as to what the band is all about: a faithful rendition of Neil Young's Everybody Knows this is Nowhere and the light but intriguing traditional tune, Blackberry Blossom

Belleville

Average customer rating:

Top notch film
Triplets of Belleville - One of the Very Best
"Allez les filles...!"
The Triplets of Belleville
Delicious!

The Triplets of Belleville
Ben Charest
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Triplets of Belleville
Motifs
French Cafe
Latenight Betty
Les Triplettes De Belleville Original French Version with English Version Included (The Triplets of Belleville) Orignal French Box Set 2 DVDS

ASIN: B000168ACI
Release Date: 2004-01-27

Tracks:

Under the Bridge
Belleville Rendez-Vous (French Version)
Opening Theme
Cabaret Opening
Tour de France
Attila Marcel
Bruno's Theme
Easy, Bruno, Easy
Belleville Rendez-Vous (Demo)
French Mafia Theme
Jazzy Bach
Cabaret Hoover
Belleville Jungle
"Cieco Cieco" Barber
Pa Pa Pa Palavas
The Return of the French Mafia
The Shadowing
The Chase
Belleville Rendez-Vous (English Version)

Amazon.com

Taking the cue for its visual conception from sources as diverse as British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe and the antic, rubbery surrealism of Tex Avery's Warner Bros. Cartoons of the 30's, this madcap caper from French writer/director Sylvain Chomet is one of the most delightfully skewed animated films in recent memory. Scoring such a thorough original is no easy task, but composer/musician Benoit Charest has more than risen to the occasion. Charest manages to evoke the loopy musical spirit of legendary Warner and Disney animation legend Carl Stalling in an entirely new context, fusing the score's snappy, predominantly le hot jazz mindset with everything from hip-hop and Bach (credited her as "Jean Sebastien") to the Italian opera farrago "Cieco Cieco Barber" and 1960s proto-surf-rock of "Pa Pa Pa Palavas." But that conceptual stew isn't the least of Charest's delightful surprises, as he giddily infuses it with his own Django-esque guitar stylings and a hodge-podge of "found" rhythmic instruments that include bicycle wheels, refrigerator shelves and a vacuum cleaner; surely there must be a kitchen sink buried in the mix somewhere. The result is a score that uses tradition as but a launching pad for one of the most rewarding and delightfully original animated scores in recent memory. -- Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Top notch film.......2007-05-07

I always know a film is great when I replay scenes in my mind and view the world through the lens of the film for many days later. The animation was terrific. The scenes were artistic in their rendering and the limited dialogue was true to the tradition of European animation. The sound track has kept me humming and singing the tunes ever since. Definitely five stars in my book.

Triplets of Belleville - One of the Very Best.......2006-06-30

Wonderful movie...the music was outstanding and the characters believable. The animation was like watching a well drawn picture come to life.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys seeing the fruits of very creative people.

"Allez les filles...!".......2005-10-18

If you haven't seen the movie, I would advise you do - it's one of the best animated films to come out in a long while, and a fine example that traditional methods of animation are not dead. If you haven't, then one thing you should know is that barely any of it is told in words - therefore, the soundtrack became very important, and what we got was one heck of a soundtrack.

Listening to it alone, I'm immediately reminded of the soundtrack for the Japanese film "Metropolis," which is heavy in jazz. The main theme (presented in both English and French) is the finest example of this, and has to be one of the catchiest themes I've ever heard. (took a month just to get the dang thing out of my head) You'll find several versions of it on this CD, some in its pure form (including a "demo" version) and in its use as background music. But don't worry, there's more than that. You've got stand-on-their-own tracks including "Attila Marcel," (which made me feel like an American soldier in a 1940's French cafe) the two versions of the French mafia theme, a piano version of a Bach piece, and the lighthearted "Cieco Cieco Barber."

Overall the soundtrack is well worth the purchase. If you enjoyed the movie, by all means add this to your collection as soon as possible.

The Triplets of Belleville.......2005-09-12

This a terrible story - boring at best. I am sorry I wasted my time watching it.

Delicious!.......2005-05-08

As well as the animated movie, the soundtrack is just wonderful. From the Oscar nominated "Belleville Rendez-vous" (versions in French and English by M) to Madame Souza's horrible performance (which is not listed, but you can listen after the last song), a CD you have to own!

Southern Journey, Vol. 11: Honor The Lamb - The Belleville A Capella Choir

Average customer rating:

the best yet
Incredible - for all choral lovers
Agreat gospel cd for everyone's collection.
Gloriously, beautiful singing. Inspiring songs to listen to
One of the best gospel CD's I have listened to.

Southern Journey, Vol. 11: Honor The Lamb - The Belleville A Capella Choir
The Belleville A Cappella Choir
Manufacturer: Rounder Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Southern Journey, Vol. 9: Harp Of A Thousand Strings - All Day Singing From The Sacred Harp

ASIN: B0000002US
Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

The Gospel Train
Keep Me As The Apple Of Thine Eye
David Was A Shepard Boy
What A Time
The Lord Is My Strength And Song
None But The Righteous
Come On Isreal
Medley Of Spirituals...
The House Of The Lord
Honor, Honor
On The Battlefield For My Lord
The Creation
Honor The Lamb

Customer Reviews:

the best yet.......2003-09-29

This is the most wonderful collection of a cappela music i have heard in years. The harmony reminds me of the old'n days. I love this and offer it to any one who is seriously interested in becoming a TRUE singer

Incredible - for all choral lovers.......2000-06-08

The notes for the CD are fascinating - rarely is it necessary to justify a group as "folk music" because the quality of their work would make most choirs jealous - but that is exactly what this album does.

My favorite of the album is "David Was a Shepard Boy" - listen to the clip and you will see why - a tenor soloist and a bass weaving (rhythmic weaving more than tone weaving) thru a very tight choral line. "The Lord Is My Strength And Song" again uses fascinating rhythmic patterns between the voices.

There is no weak track - I would not expect others to select the same favorites - but this is not an album of interest only as Gospel music or folk music ... it stands with the best of choral music independent of genre.

Agreat gospel cd for everyone's collection........1999-06-16

A great cd . You can hear all the words along with the beautiful melodies in all the voices. If you like that old time sound , this is a cd for you.

Gloriously, beautiful singing. Inspiring songs to listen to.......1999-02-04

They all sing in beautiful harmony and sound like angels

One of the best gospel CD's I have listened to........1999-01-16

This CD embodies the old-time gospel. That A Capella sound with those great voices and high notes just makes your body quiver. This is truly one of the best gospel CD's I have ever been privileged to hear.

Average customer rating:

Genre free ?
Top of their game
excellent
Wow! Great album
The Diversity Of Our Country

My Friends Are My Estate

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006NSX4
Release Date: 2002-10-15

Tracks:

Light
Wait To Stop
Sunday
TFT
Shy
Cabin in the Pines
Cue
The Crying Shame
Skinny Boy
Out on the Side
My Friends Are My Estate

Album Description

Belleville, My Friends Are My Estate. Del-Tona Records 2002

One of the problems with classifying music is that it almost always does a disservice to the bands that come to be defined by a specific genre. Take Belleville, whose latest release My Friends Are My Estate has enough pedal steel, bluegrass-inspiration and harmonica to guarantee them a spot among the legions of alt-country wannabes. Add to that the fact that the band is named after Belleville, IL, the hometown of alt-country pioneers Uncle Tupelo, and Belleville would appear to have painted themselves into a creative corner. And while alt-country may not be an entirely inaccurate label, Belleville proves to operate as much in the pop tradition as they do in country or roots rock. My Friends Are My Estate is loaded with tight, clever tunes that show Belleville to be smarter and more skilled than many of the bands they are likely to be classified with. The opening track, "Light," is a shuffling rave-up that sets the tone for what follows. Particularly telling, however, is the second cut, "Wait to Stop." This is a pop gem that defies categorization, complete with string accompaniment and Beach Boy harmonies. Like Joe Pernice who continues to defy his alt-country categorization, Belleville appears poised to follow his lead. "Sunday" opens with a Bacharach-esque trumpet flourish and piano accompaniment. Front man Mark Caputo sings, "Life can be a hard master, I know, I've done my time," setting the tone for the entire album. What follows is a fine album that bounces between styles like flipping through a music fan's record collection. Belleville has managed to create a gem of an album that continues to grow more and more appealing with each listen. With any luck, Belleville will avoid any labels placed on them and continue to make solid music for music fans uninterested in genre limitations.

Customer Reviews:

Genre free ?.......2002-12-23

Great sophmore release from an up & coming band from the left coast. Songs people, you gotta have'em and Belleville delivers the goods on this one.

Top of their game.......2002-11-27

This album is a must buy. Belleville has matured and in firing on all cylinders on this one.

excellent.......2002-11-23

Been listening to the album non stop in my car during my commute. I love it. A&R guys will be all over the radio friendly ballad "Sunday ".

Wow! Great album.......2002-11-15

I dug the 1st album which was classic alt country, but I was blown away with how the new album raised the bar. These guys songwriting and playing just keeps getting better .

Yeah, there are some spanky teles and mean pedal steel, but the album is also features jazzy trumpets and piano. Very cool. Even my wife likes it.

The Diversity Of Our Country.......2002-10-17

A disclaimer: I do know songwriter/lead singer Mark Caputo, but this review does state my honest opinion of the CD. If I was not fond of it, I would have simply remained mute.

That said, Mark Caputo and company already proved their songwriting chops on their self-titled debut (unfortunately not available on this site). But with My Friends Are My Estate, they expand upon their sound, even stretching out with a bluegrass tune ("Cabin In the Pines") that sounds like it could be a lost classic.

Strongly recommended for fans of Americana bands like Whiskeytown, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo and Neil Young.

Les Grands Auteurs Du Xixe Siecle
Average customer rating:
Les Grands Auteurs Du Xixe Siecle
Various Artists
Manufacturer: EPM
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004S6TP
Release Date: 1996-01-01