2006 studio album composed entirely of 'duets', Que reste t'il de nos amours? (with Alain Bashung), Modern style (with Alain Delon), Amours toujours tendresse caresses (with Jacques Dutronc), Partir quand m?me (with Julio Iglesias), My beautiful demon (with Ben Christophers), Soleil (2006/ with Alain Souchon), Cet enfant que je t'avais fait (Avec Rodolphe Burger), Le fou de la Reine (2006/ with Henri Salvador), Les s‚diments (with Arthur H), La rue du babouin (with Maurane), La valse des regrets (with H‚lŠne Grimaud), Des lendemains qui chantent (with Benjamin Biolay). EMI. French teen idol and pop icon Françoise Hardy returned to record shelves in 2006 with Parenthčses, a collection of 12 duets. Longtime collaborators like Henri Salvador and husband Jacques Dutronc join some up-and-comers to offer up a slew of some of Hardy's favorites. Among the selections, the intimate and lilting duet with Dutronc, the eerie "My Beautiful Demon" with Ben Christophers and "Le Fou de la Reine" (with the perpetually smooth Henri Salvador) are highlights. Keeping production tricks and mixing slick-ery to a tasteful minimum, Hardy manages to capture quite a bit of the magic that made earlier efforts (like 1971's Question) so uncluttered and engaging. Even Julio Iglesias seems to get into the groove, turning in a fine rendition of Dutronc's aching "Partir Quand Męme..." that's neither flashy nor overtly sexy -- just comfortable -- and that's a good overall description of the album as well. ~ J. Scott McClintock
1 Que Reste-il de Nos Amours 2 Modern Time 3 Amour, Toujours, Caresses 4 Partir Quand Meme. 5 My Beautiful Demon 6 Soleil S 7 Cet Enfant Que Je T'avais Fait 8 Le Fou De La Reine 9 Les Sediments 10 Le Rue du Babouin 11 La Valse Des Regrets 12 Des lendemains qui chantent