h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Interesting entry, all new for me.

I recall one of the Kingsmen saying that when the FBI investigates a song ("Louie, Louie"), it really helps sales. That controversy continues today, with a school superintendent recently cancelling the marching band's plan to play it - as an instrumental! She retreated when most of the parents agreed with the kids.

I don't think we get much French music in the US, or at least I don't know of much. But I did greatly enjoy the music from the animated feature "Triplets of Belleville" (English title). In particular, the title tune "Belleville Rendez-Vous" (French title, I think) is particularly catchy - both English and French version excerpts here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000168ACI/qid%3D1115998174/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-5250044-4620838

I loved Belleville Rendez-Vous, and yes, the title tune is fab. Thanks for the link to it - I'm always trying to sing it to myself, but never get past the first line, as I can't remember the rest of the words! I think the film was made in Quebec and, by a strange coincidence, an American friend sent me a french song by a singer called Keren Ann, who's from Quebec, just yesterday. The song was called "Que". So, if you're into songs in French, you could check her out.

I vaguely recall from the DVD extras that Triplets of Belleville was done by teams in France and in Quebec, maybe preproduction (storyboards, artwork, etc.) in one place and animation in another.

One of my favorite groups is the California Guitar Trio, who perform very sophisticated arrangements of well-known compositions from classical to pop. At a concert, they talked about playing Quebec, doing an instrumental of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". The largely French audience chimed in with all the lyrics, in English I think. Now THAT is a tribute to Queen ...