Baby et Lulu and their 4-piece band performed an enthralling concert of French harmonies at Adelaideâs Church of the Trinity in Clarence Park (known for its Trinity sessions now in its 20th year) last night.
The Baby et Lulu concert opened with the fun Je suis snob, a song originally by Boris Vian, which is on their most recent Album Trois. However, Baby et Lulu did not limit themselves to their most recent album, performing songs from their earlier Album Deux and their debut self-titled album. Their 16 song set (including encore) counted 8 tracks from Album Trois and 8 from their earlier albums.
For Me formidable was introduced with an amusing anecdote about when youâre not sure of the French word and you try the English word with a French accent and hope for the best â Abby, youâre not alone, I had a friend tell her French host-family that we put the very thing you asked to not have in your wine, in our bread here in Australia!
Baby et Lulu donât only cover famous French songs, they also pen their own French language songs. Several of Babyâs songs appeared in the set, including Câest Le Top, the fun reveal that theyâre not really French (shock, horror!) of Cette nuit, and the very clever La Ballade de la Mer, which uses plenty of French idioms â French teachers, this would be a great song to use in your classes. Perhaps the best known of Babyâs songs is Meme, quand je dors, a French translation of Even when Iâm sleeping, a nod to her beginnings in Australian band Leonardoâs BrideâŠ
Among the set were also songs perhaps better known by Australian audiences in their English versions such Michel Legrandâs The windmills of my mind which saw him win an Academy Award for Best Original Song in The Thomas Crown Affair. Or again, Henry Manciniâs Jardin Aux Souvenirs perhaps best known as Moon River, made famous by the iconic film Breakfast at Tiffanyâs.
Abby Dobson aka Baby wore a bright orange dress (which glowed in the dimmer lights) with a crystal belt, earrings and an eye-catching crystal ring (especially when shaking the egg shaker, a maraca like instrument). Lara Goodridge aka Lulu stunned in her black dress with a beautiful gold pattern which span when she twirled. When the girls swayed as they sang, I wanted to, too!
Their joy of performing again was palpable. This tour for Album Trois ironically was third time lucky after two previous cancelled tours because of COVID lockdowns and border restrictions. Their smiles infectious â the extent of which perhaps not visible to them under our masks. I love that when they sing duets, they perform them facing each other rather than the audience.
Baby et Lulu have been branded as faux Français and part of their signature performance style is their faux French accents and witticisms. They donât take themselves too seriously â announcing âwe might F$%&! this upâ before their penultimate song, the challenging war-time track âParis sera toujours Parisâ. To be honest even if they had messed it up, I donât think the audience of francophiles, the majority of which were non-francophones, would have known, or even if they did, minded!
Backed by a 4-piece band, with pianist, double bass, guitar and woodwind, plus Lulu on violin and Baby on egg shaker (that feels so strange to write!), Baby et Lulu are an extremely polished act who entertain from the moment they step on stage until the very end of their 2-hour set. The musicians were all exceptional but special mention must go to the musician who seemingly played as many woodwind instruments as possible â at first on sax, later on clarinet and then on flute. At times, the girls let the musicians take over giving them each their chance at a solo. They seemed as impressed and as mesmerised as we did while listening to the instrumental solos.
Baby et Lulu is a must-see show. Sydney-siders are lucky to have them perform a few times a year. Les filles, seven years between shows is way too long! Please come back to Adelaide more often!
đ„đ„đ„đ„đ„
5 CROISSANTS (is not enough for this must-see performance)
Matilda Marseillaise was a guest of Adelaide Fringe
Keep up to date with Baby et Lulu concerts
The Baby et Lulu concert was a one-off Adelaide show as part of their national concert tour for their Album Trois. Pop yourself on their mailing list or follow them on social media to make sure you donât miss out on their future concerts:
Website: www.babyetlulu.com.au
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/babyetlulu
Instagram: https://instagram.com/babyetlulu
There are a few dates remaining in the Baby et Lulu Album Trois national tour:
11-14 March Port Fairy Folk Festival, VIC https://portfairyfolkfestival.com/tickets/
8 April Camelot Lounge, Sydney https://www.stickytickets.com.au/15820/baby_et_lulu.aspx
3 June Newcastle https://lizottes.com.au/live/shows/booking/3298
11 June Blue Mountains Theatre, Springwood https://lizottes.com.au/live/shows/booking/3298
SET LIST
Je suis snob
For me formidable
Câest le top
Le Jardin aux souvenirs
Que reste-t-il de nos amours
La balade de la Mer
Lâamour, lâamour, lâamour
Quand je pense
BREAK
Jâaime plus Paris
Cette nuit
Les moulins de mon cĆur
Je suis venu te dire que je mâen vais
MĂȘme quand je dors
Paris sera toujours Paris
Câest magnifique
ENCORE
Hymne de lâAmour
Discover also other Adelaide Fringe shows with French themes or artists with French links.
[blog_subscription_form title="Subscribe" title_following="You are already subscribed" subscribe_text="Enter your email to subscribe to new article notifications about all things French and francophone in Australia" subscribe_logged_in="Click to subscribe to this site" subscribe_button="SUBSCRIBE"]