Fiona Apple in Paris

Fiona Apple’s new tour kicked off last night in Paris, monday April 10. The venue is a historical monument dedicated to music(s) and is the place where the French Cancan entertained the Parisians during decades. It is called “Les Folies Bergère” and the red neon outside just tell you where you are: The Most famous music-hall in the world. Can you believe that? Anyway, this is where Fiona Apple pleased us with her talent in a sold out seated theatre.
I have never seen her playing live before - she only came once in Paris in 1997 - but after watching the DVD from her last album Extraordinary Woman, I thought she is the kind of performer who may be very vulnerable on stage in front of a thousand+ crowd in a foreign country. I was wrong, when she sings she has power, she is angry, she is strong. On piano or standing in front of the crowd, microphone in hand, she is deep inside herself, deep inside her songs where she takes her strength. Sometimes she whisper but most of time she screams, dances and finishing every song breathless. Backed by a strong four pieces band she keeps the audience silent until the last note and them lets the applause riging. At that moment, in a second, she becomes shy and fragile coming back to earth and she looks like the young girl she was when she started her career ten years ago at the age of 19.
Well, that was “Fifi à Paris" as someone shouted in the crowd. Some fans throw flowers and necklaces to her... we are at the "Folies Bergère" aren’t we? Next to me were the musicians from Air together with Charlotte Gainsbourg, the French actress, daughter of Serge and Jane as you all know…

Fiona Apple - Folies Bergère, Paris - April 10, 2006

1. GET HIM BACK
2. BETTER VERSION OF ME
3. SHADOWBOXER
4. TO YOUR LOVE
5. I KNOW
6. SLEEP TO DREAM
7. LIMP
8. PAPER BAG
9. TYMPS (THE SICK IN THE HEAD SONG)
10. OH WELL
11. ON THE BOUND
12. RED RED RED
13. NOT ABOUT LOVE
14. O'SAILOR
15. GET GONE
16. FAST AS YOU CAN
17. EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE
18. CRIMINAL
19. PARTING GIFT

• One the highlights of yesterday evening was Fiona Apple - Criminal
• Tonight, Fiona Apple will play in London before flying back to the States for ten more shows. Details on http://www.fionaapple.org/
• and info on http://www.fiona-apple.com/