Vanessa Paradis is the self-titled third album and English debut by popular French singer Vanessa Paradis. It was released in 1992 and contains the singles "Be My Baby" and "Sunday Mondays".Lenny Kravitz, who was dating Paradis at the time, produced and co-wrote the album The album was one of her most successful and most critically acclaimed, proving to be both popular in France and the UK. It spawned several successful singles, including one of her most recognisable songs "Be My Baby". The album is also noted for being the first time Paradis took creative control over her music. The album is noted for being extremely innovative in its use of instruments, and for its replication of the 1960s soundscape on virtually every song. One of the biggest hits from the CD was "Sunday Mondays". Vanessa's own personal favorite off this record was Track 10, "Just as Long as you are There", which she often performs live in concerts. Producer Lenny Kravitz gives Vanessa Paradis some of his best songs and she really can carry a tune with her breathy little-girl vocals. The highlights of the record are many, but the songs that will have you smiling like a fool at the sheer poptasticness of it all are the gliding funk with orchestra of "Natural High;" the strutting girl group of "Be My Baby;" the sweet-as-sugar sunshine pop of "Sunday Mondays;" the psych-soul of "Your Love Has Got a Handle on My Mind" (which features Paradis' most assured vocal and a nice background assist from Kravitz); and the sweet soul of "Just as Long as You Are There." Even her cover of the Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man" works wonders. It really shouldn't, but the propulsive beat and Paradis' sexy vocals somehow do the trick. The only song that falls flat is the autumnal folk of "Silver and Gold," as the ultra-serious lyrics and tone are painfully out of step with the glitter and groove of the rest of the record. Kravitz should be praised for his wonderful production. He rarely makes a wrong move and provides wonderful settings for Paradis to shine.
01. "Natural High" (Lenny Kravitz) - 3:21
02. "I'm Waiting for the Man" (Lou Reed) - 3:25
03. "Silver and Gold" (Kravitz) - 2:43
04. "Be My Baby" (Gerry DeVeaux, Kravitz) - 3:41
05. "Lonely Rainbows" (Henry Hirsch, Kravitz) - 2:33
06. "Sunday Mondays" (Hirsch, Kravitz, Vanessa Paradis) - 3:56
07. "Your Love Has Got a Handle on My Mind" (Kravitz) - 3:56
08. "The Future Song" (Kravitz) - 4:55
09. "Paradis" (Kravitz) - 3:03
10. "Just as Long as You Are There" (Hirsch, Kravitz) - 3:24
11. "Gotta Have It" (Hirsch, Kravitz, Craig Ross) (Bonus Track) - 2:17
Released: September 21, 1992
Recorded at: Waterfront Studios, Hoboken , New Jersey
Genre: Pop, rock
Label: Remark Records, PolyGram, Polydor
Length: 35:34
Producer: Lenny Kravitz
Personnel
Vanessa Paradis - vocals, tambourine
Tony Breit - bass guitar
Debbe Cole - backing vocals
Jamal Haines - trombone
Henry Hirsch - bass guitar, harpsichord, organ, piano, string arrangement & Wurlitzer
Judith Hobson-Mitchell - backing vocals
Michael Hunter - trumpet
Lenny Kravitz - backing vocals, bass guitar, drums, Fender Rhodes, guitar, harmonica, horn arrangement, Mellotron, sitar, string arrangement, tambourine & vocal arrangement
Richard Mitchell - backing vocals
B.J. Nelson - backing vocals
Antoine Roney - saxophone
Craig Ross - guitar
Angie Stone - backing vocals
Eric Delente - violin
Soye Kim - violin
Sarah Adams - viola
Allen Whear - cello
John Whitfield - cello
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