After more than 20 years, 8½ Souvenirs released their CD: At The Movies, produced by Charlie Sexton.
CD comes with a 10 page insert including all the song lyrics, photos and liner notes.
The music is a multilingual musical confluence of European cafe society, hot club, circus swing, and jazz with songs in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. They are heavily influenced by both jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt ("Souvenirs") and Nino Rota, composer of Federico Fellini's film 8 ½. At The Movies is their "what if we only get to make one more record, what do we want people to hear" album. It is a collection of songs the band has been playing weekly at their C-Boy's Heart & Soul residency since they reunited in 2014, and the album is as eclectic as the band.
At The Movies was recorded at Churchhouse Studios in Austin, TX, with David Boyle engineering. The album credits include Kathy Benayoun (executive producer, vocals, kazoo, claves), Olivier Giraud (guitar, vocals, writer, analog synth, whistling), Dan Walton (pianoforte, accordion, Hammond organ, analog synth), Todd Wulfmeyer (contrabass), and Robb Kidd (drums, percussion). Charlie also adds his Oud, Bouzouki, Mandocello, Guitar, and vocals on various tracks.
Tony Scalzo of Fastball said, “I have known them since I moved to town in the 90s and have always admired their musicianship and aesthetic. I ran into my old friend, Kathy Benayoun, their original and current lead-vocalist, and she said they would soon be recording a new album with Charlie Sexton producing. I immediately asked her if she’d be interested in working up a French-language version of our song, The Way, and she agreed it could work well. Guitarist and musical director Olivier Giraud worked out the lyrics to not only fit the original vibe of the song but tell the story in a new and refreshing way. I got together with the band, and we talked about how this version would appeal to French ears and bring it to an audience who may not be familiar with the song. I had initially agreed to join them in the studio, but Covid made that impossible. I watched and waited from afar as the band went to work with Charlie, and soon, I had a mix to listen to. I think this is the best cover of the song I’ve yet to hear.”
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One day shortly after we went into the studio, Kathy ran into her old friend, Tony Scalzo of Fastball. She played him some of the roughs we worked out. A few hours later, she got a text from Tony asking if she could work up a French version of their #1 single, "The Way." Olivier came up with the beautiful lyrics and Tony guided us on the musical direction. Et voilá!!
Recorded at Churchhouse Studios in Austin, TX
Produced by Charlie Sexton
Engineered by Dave Boyle
Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper
Executive Producer: Kathy Benayoun
lyrics
Juste un regard, scella leur destin
Avant le soir, ils seraient loin
Remplis d’espoir, la main dans la main
Avec leur amour (sans mémoire), pour tracer le chemin
Ils vidèrent leurs verres, si mirent a parler
De choses essentielles, trop longtemp ignorer
Quand l’auto stoppa, ils se mirent à marcher
Mais où allaient-ils sans savoir où les menaient leur pas
On pouvait voir dans leurs yeux
Le chemin pavé d’or et fuyant
Le soleil jouait dans leur cheveux d’argent
Insouciants ils n’aurait plus jamais froid maintenant
Et sous de cieux éternellement bleus
Sans même se retourner
A jamais amoureux, ils se sont effacés
Bien tous les deux, bien plus heureux maintenant - nos parents
La maison s’éveille, les enfants sont grands
La nuit nous conseil, mais nous vole nos parents
Ils ont tout laissé, sans penser plus que ça
Mais où allaient-ils sans savoir où les menaient leur pas
credits
from At The Movies,
track released September 13, 2021
Kathy Benayoun: Vocals
Olivier Giraud: Guitar
Dan Walton: Accordion, Piano
Todd Wulfmeyer: Contrabass
Robb Kidd: Drums
Other Instruments:
Charlie Sexton - Guitar, Oud, Bazouki, Mandocello, Percussion, Vocals
Writer: Tony Scalzo/Olivier Giraud
Composer: Tony Scalzo
Produced by Charlie Sexton
Engineered by David Boyle
Mixed by Charlie Sexton & David Boyle
Recorded & Mixed at Churchhouse Studios in Austin, TX
Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper
Executive Producer: Kathy Benayoun
8 1/2 Souvenirs reunited in 2014, after a 20-year break. NEW ALBUM “At The Movies”, produced by Charlie Sexton, out
NOW!
Kathy Benayoun (neé Kiser) - vox & percussion
Olivier Giraud - vox & guitar
Dan Walton - piano & accordion
Todd Wulfmeyer - contrabass
Robb Kidd - drums...more
