An Album Of Classic French Chansons And Pop Standards, Carlisle’s Rykodisc Debut OUT NOW. Limited Edition Bonus Disc includes four songs from the album in English. Belinda Carlisle’s Voila, her first new album in a decade, and her first record sung entirely in French, is a radical departure for the pop diva and lead singer of the Go-Go’s. Working with producer John Reynolds (U2, Sinéad O’Connor, Indigo Girls), Carlisle has fashioned a traditional pop album that pays tribute to the classic French chansons and pop music of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the album is set for release on February 6, 2007 (February 5 in the UK). The first pressing of Voila will be a limited edition containing a bonus disc of four songs from the album in English. Carlisle says the album is the culmination of a long investigation into French music. “After discovering and coming to love French music, I decided to record these amazing songs myself with a playful, contemporary feel.” Carlisle and Reynolds went into the studio with a musical dream team including Brian Eno on keyboards, guitarist Fianchna O'Braonain (Hothouse Flowers,) Sharon Shannon, the Irish button accordion player who incorporates reggae, tango and calypso into her music, Julian Wilson (Grand Drive) on piano, Hammond B-3, strings, keyboards and world music star Natacha Atlas (Transglobal Underground) on backing vocals. “We wanted to try everything, no holds barred,” Carlisle says. “Since this is not a pop project, we were free to experiment. We played with every song, trying all sorts of instrumentation and different styles of arranging and everything clicked. The only definite idea I had was that I wanted to sing with an accordion. Other than that, there was no conscious effort to cover as much creative ground as we could; we just played around with things and had a blast.” The creative energy Carlisle and Reynolds brought to the project is evident on every track. Carlisle’s smoky vocals and the diverse arrangements imbue the songs with a simmering Gallic soul. “Sous Le Ciel De Paris (Under Paris Skies)” sounds like a street carnival waltz with its mournful accordion and eerie keyboard accents, Francoise Hardy’s “Pourtant Tu M'aimes” gets recast as a new wave rocker, “La Vie En Rose” bounces along on a driving disco backbeat and “Jezebel” sounds like the twang-drenched theme song from a spaghetti western. Songs like “Ne Me Quitte Pas” and “Avec Le Temps” are closer to their original incarnations, wrenching emotional statements made more intense by Carlisle’s understated delivery. “You don't really have to know what’s being sung to know that ‘Avec Les Temps’ is a devastating love song,” Carlisle says. “When I heard that song the first time, it broke my heart.” Carlisle’s first venture into French music proves once again that good songs are universal - timeless expressions of the human soul that need no translation to work their exhilarating magic. ========================= By Ann Wycoff: July/August 2007 
Canadian country singer Anne Murray has topped a new list of female celebrity golfers. With an 11 handicap, the beloved 1970s hitmaker has been named Golf For Women magazine's first number one. Murray beat Tea Leoni, Celine Dion and British model Jodie Kidd to claim the title. Fellow singer Belinda Carlisle, Jane Seymour, Catherine Zeta-Jones and designer Vera Wang missed out the top 10 with handicaps over 20. The top five is: 1. Anne Murray 2. Tea Leoni 3. Celine Dion 4. Jodie Kidd 5. Cheryl Ladd. OCCUPATION: Singer AGE: 48 HOME: Les Adrets-de-Fréjus, France PREVIOUS LIFE: Lead singer of the Go-Go's LATEST PROJECT: Voila, an album of French classic and pop songs CLUBS: Cobra woods and irons; Odyssey putter AVERAGE SCORE: High 90s PRELUDE:I was a golf widow. My husband [former film producer Morgan Mason] took up the game and became completely obsessed. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Four years ago, I got the bug. FAVORITE COURSES: I take lessons at Cannes-Mougins, here in Provence, and I also play at my husband's course, Domaine de Terre Blanche. We have a place in Austria, and there's a course nearby called Mösern. It's up in the Alps and it's so beautiful. GOLF DUET: Every Monday I play with a friend who has a 27-handicap. We drop the kids off at school and go to Cannes-Mougins. I do love it, but I find 18 holes is a lot of work. THE ALLURE: I like the Zen aspect of the game and hanging out in the sunshine. And the smells. No matter how I play, I have a good time. STRENGTHS: I'm good at putting and can read greens well. It's one of my gifts. PERFECT HARMONY: When I sing, I sometimes feel a connection to a power greater than myself. It feels very similar to being in the zone while playing golf. STYLE POINT: I'm still a punk rocker at heart. Anything conservative is so not me. When I play, it's I Love Lucy with an edge.
BACK IN PLAY: It's hard to be consistent with all my travel. I just started playing again and was horrified by how much I'd regressed. That's why people quit. But when you hit that one good shot, that's what keeps you coming back.
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