Nolwenn Leroy

[DazedOblivion]

NOLWENN LEROY



Her name is actually Nolwenn Le Magueresse, but under her new name (taking her mother’s maiden name) Nolwenn Leroy is famous throughout much of the French-speaking world. Unfortunately, I don't speak French, but I stumbled across her music on the internet and I was very impressed. I expect great things from this young, beautiful-voiced singer, winner of the second season of French TV "idol" contest, Star Academy. After having spent a year in the U.S. (Ohio) as an exchange High School student, she was on her way to study law when she was persuaded by family and friends in St. Renan in Brittany to audition for the TV talent contest. She had long harboured dreams of becoming a music star. Indeed, the young artist used to spend weekends working at the checkout in a local supermarket to pay for singing lessons. Viewers of Star Academy 2 were astonished by her moving duets with major artists from around the world, and her mesmerizing voice, rich, round, and distinguished by that beautiful, natural vibrato. She sings a song called "14 Février" ("February 14") that is unbelievable.

Her voice is so unique that (no kidding) an American doctor utilizes her debut album as therapy for his patients!

According to Brownie, Nolwenn Leroy is a fan of the Corrs, which would explain why she performed a cover of "Runaway" in concert, which can be heard HERE (thanks to Brownie for the link!). I believe she is a violinist as well, but I don't know if she actually plays the violin during this performance.

Unfortunately, there is not much English-language information on Nolwenn Leroy, so maybe Brownie can help with more information.

HERE is a link to a live performance of "Une Femme Cachée."

Click here to download Nolwenn - Inévitablement [Piano].avi

A rare English article on the singer HERE.

The Official Website for Nolwenn Leroy can be found HERE.

And another site for the singer is www.nolwennleroy.com/intro.html.

Thanks to Brownie, who suggested a post on this very talented singer.

[Brownie]

Yes she's a Corrs fan. There's an interview where she said she appreciated their music, but I didn't keep it.

After her first album and the single "Cassé" we rarely see her in France except in some TV shows when she's invited.
It's surprising since she really has a beautiful voice, but she hasn't a big success in France.

[DazedOblivion]

I heard that she has another album on the way.

At the link below you can download a video of Nolwenn performing "Without You" live (dressed up to look like Mariah Carey ). It is a good example of her strong singing voice, I think:

www.nolwennleroy-video.com/videomois.htm

If you just want to hear an MP3 of "Without You," you can click HERE.

Here is a live performance of the "Habanera" from Carmen by Georges Bizet, which really showcases the vocal abilities of Nolwenn:

Click here to download Nolwenn Leroy - Carmen.avi

Here are two more pictures of Nolwenn:

[Brownie]

The cover of the new album :
img318.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pochettehistoiresnaturelles7fa.jpg
(sorry I could not insert the picture)

[DazedOblivion]

Thanks again, Brownie. I hadn't seen the cover yet.

Here it is:

[Andypandy]

Wow she does have a great voice-it was great hearing her sing "Runaway". She reminds me of someone but i cant figure out who.

[Brownie]

I saw her on the "Star Academy" TV show last friday. I think she has a new album.
I also saw a book (with pictures) in a store, but we rarely heard about her before.

I uploaded a clip from her last single "NolwennOhWo-LeClip.avi" here :
dl-1.free.fr/52616e646f6d495601f896cb64fd3bd75aa0a1b6c60753ea39d1153259cb75c8/NolwennLeroy-NolwennOhWo-LeClip.avi

[DazedOblivion]

Sorry, Brownie, I couldn't get this link to work, even when I tried to add the "avi" part that is somehow rejected by the ProBoards when it's posted. Thanks for the information though!

[Brownie]

Strange because I can get it when I click on the link.

I've just uploaded here too :
Click here to download NolwennLeroy-NolwennOhWo-LeClip.avi

[DazedOblivion]

THANKS, Brownie!

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! What eyes she has!

Nolwenn is definitely going for a more fun sound on this album it seems. The self-titled first album is incredible, but it was perhaps a bit melancholic.

I wonder how the album will perform in France. When was it released?

[Brownie]

It has already been released this month.
You can listen to samples of each song here :
www.fnac.com/Shelf/article.asp?PRID=1768855

[Brownie]

A funny thing : I've listened to the whole album, so I wanted to post here.
But before, I've just seen her on TV. There was a report about her.
We could see that she's a "funny" girl who is having a lot of fun when she sings, because she does'nt look so when we hear her first album
And she's single and looking for a boyfriend : she says she's in love with Robbie Williams and she finds James Blunt very cute.

The album sounds nice to listen or it could also be boring, so I'm not sure I will listen to it often
In this album I especially like the song "London fantasy".

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post songs here, so if not send me a PM.

[DazedOblivion]

I don't think we can post complete songs here. Here's a link to a 30 second sample of "London Fantasy."

I haven't heard Histoires Naturelles, Brownie, but I watched the video of Nolwenn Ohwo! to which you posted a link. It seems that this rather monotonic song is a deliberate attempt to break Nolwenn out of the mold of being a "virtuoso" and to re-fashion her as more of a pop-oriented singer. I thought it rather odd that such a song should be sung by a singer with great vocal range, but from what you say it sounds like this album suits her personality more than the moody debut album (which, actually, I like very much).

[Brownie]

OK I understand.
So send me a PM if you want to me to upload the whole album (or to make your hear it entirely ;-) )

[DazedOblivion]

brownie said:

The album sounds nice to listen or it could also be boring, so I'm not sure I will listen to it often
In this album I especially like the song "London fantasy".

I have now listened to the album three times and, though I really like Nolwenn's voice, overall the songwriting on this album is not as strong as on the debut album. I agree with you, Brownie, that "London Fantasy" is one of the best songs - very reminiscent of the later Beatles (i.e. the Magical Mystery Tour era). I like "Mystère" and "Reste Encore," a very soft-rock song, but with some strong vocal harmonies.

The album is not great, but not bad either. I was hoping for better, but I'll listen more and see if any of the songs "grow on me." Sometimes this happens with me. For quite some time, Histoires Naturelles, seems to have remained close to the Corrs' Home on the French charts.

Thanks for letting know more about this album.