Seize It: Aldebert and "Carpe Diem"

Our random tune today is dedicated to Pauline Hess, Mike's sister who is providing great elder care to his mom. It's her birthday today, and she could kind of use a carpe diem moment once in awhile. So today's song, Carpe Diem by French singer-songwriter Aldebert, is completely appropriate. Aldebert is a native of Paris raised with the music of Georges Brassens, Serge Gainsbourg and Jacques Brel - whom he credits with influencing his own music. He studied photography, but decided to devote his talents to his love of chanson. He released his first album in 2000 and began touring Europe. He performed over 300 concerts in four years, and won the prestigious Radio France award for Best Chanson Singer in 2003. He is now considered a leading exponent of the nouvelle chanson movement. The song references the famous scene in the movie Dead Poets Society, and is about a girl who opens the eyes of the singer to a wider world view and yet teaches him humility. You can find Carpe Diem on Aldebert's 2004 album L'annee du Singe and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Paris (2006).