We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

French Exchange

by Noëlle Rollings

supported by
Sarah Semyanik
Sarah Semyanik thumbnail
Sarah Semyanik French Exchange is a melodic masterpiece, a collection of personal stories told with great artistry and precision. It's perfect Sunday afternoon reverie and a guided journey into rare and unique musical landscapes. I love it. Favorite track: Circles.
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £10 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Presented in a matt full colour digipack with added full colour booklet insert featuring full lyrics to all songs, original butterfly illustrations by illustrator Hannah Rollings, photography by emma-janephoto.co.uk and album design by Justin Rollings.

    Includes unlimited streaming of French Exchange via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 1 day
    Purchasable with gift card

      £12 GBP or more 

     

1.
The Secret 04:29
How do you sleep, keeping the thoughts that you keep? And how do you stand, when you’ve two feet off the ground? How can you see, when you never look at me? And how can you grin, when you’ve no good thoughts… Within you you’re guarding a secret you cannot expose, Though you know that you want to And hiding it deeply you’re thinking that nobody knows But I do. What would you say, if I told you this one day? And what would you do, if I told you I’m standing by you? What can it be, that is holding you back from me? And what would I see, if I looked deep inside… Within you you’re guarding a secret you cannot expose, Though you know that you want to And hiding it deeply you’re thinking that nobody knows But I do. Tu penses être une étoile tombée du ciel Ne me prive pas de cette lumière Why can’t you speak, to me telling the thoughts that you keep? And why does it seem, that you’re living some kind of bad dream? Why don’t you take, a hold of the love that’s at stake? And why must I stay, outside when I should be… Within you you’re guarding a secret you cannot expose, Though you know that you want to And hiding it deeply you’re thinking that nobody knows But I do.
2.
Window Box 03:18
Happy is the girl, who walks alone In sun and wind and rain with a carefree refrain. She doesn’t miss the hand she used to hold But manages to find, A tranquil state of mind. Sitting there on her own, She has grown, she has grown. Sitting there on her own, She has grown, she has grown. (Sowing seeds, planting bulbs and turning earth, she is growing Lifting weeds and feeding soil and spreading love in her window box). Distant is the boy, who stares outside Imagining her smile that evades him for a while. He tells himself he’s fine without her heart But secretly he craves the love he’s felt in waves. Sitting there all alone, She has grown, she has grown. Sitting there all alone, She has grown, she has grown. Scattering her seed she is a flower in the wind…
3.
Rosie’s on her way. Rosie’s on her way. My girl’s heading out today It is her intention, no longer to stay ‘Cause the timing is right for her world to ignite from this day (now is the time) And the city awaits as she steps through its gates, She’s ok. My girl’s stepping through the door With her plans and her dreams and her hopes and much more. She is taking a chance on this life of romance, that’s for sure (now is the time) With my blessing she’s gone, she’s the one that I’ll always adore Rosie’s on her way.
4.
Lost 04:35
Far, far, too far, too far from where I wanna be. Far, far, too far, too far from where I wanna be. I take his hand but he leads me. I take his hand but he leads me. Far…the change came when I knew it would, When I stood my ground for all those things that I believed in. He was confused and sad and lost. That smile disappeared for a while. Far, far, too far, too far from where I wanna be. Far, far, too far, too far from where I wanna be. Far, far, too far, too far from where I wanna be. Far, far, too far, too far from where I wanna be. I take his hand but he leads me… It doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Child of mine.
5.
You talk, You walk the walk But you don’t say anything new at all. You dress, How you aim to impress But you don’t say anything new at all. You feed me the same old score as you’re walking out the door But it’s what you hide I can’t ignore. Every time you try to undermine my fears The truth gets louder in my ears I’m no longer here. You strut, And you act like a slut with every Man and woman you meet But you don’t say anything new at all. You fake Every smile you make And you ain’t saying anything new at all. You feed me the same old score as I’m walking out the door But it’s what you hide I can’t ignore. Every time you try to undermine my fears The truth gets louder in my ears I’m no longer here. No, I no longer hear your talk Or the way you walk ‘Cause you don’t say anything new at all.
6.
Hey little boy, your honesty’s shining right through you And I know that this blow is the toughest you’ve ever endured. You’ve suddenly seen a truth that is hard to imagine. The perfection is floating away to reveal that it’s flawed. Making mistakes is a hazard of day to day living (everybody makes mistakes), But standing alone and admitting you’ve wronged is quite brave. Don’t hide away from the people around you who love you. Learn to forgive her but don’t let your love be her slave. And boy when you love you surrender in full, Believing she’s saving it all just for you, But from a safe distance, your heartstrings she’ll pull ‘til they break. And she doesn’t understand why she’s to blame. Why can’t you continue to love her the same? In your innocent way she expects you to stay in love. And she doesn’t understand why she’s to blame. Why can’t you continue to love her the same? In your innocent way she expects you to stay in love. Boy when you love Boy when you love Boy when you love.
7.
Ooooh, I know that you Go with me to The place we always do And if you are late Don’t believe that I won’t wait. I will be around for you When the day begins And when the night Shines on The town below You will know that I am waiting, I am waiting For you. For Even when you do not come I’ll be sitting waiting ‘til The moon It waxes and it wanes And soon The birds begin their chatter But no matter I’ll be waiting true for you. And when we are there we will be together, Together It wasn’t such a long time ago When it snowed And we walked together Hand in hand You took mine And we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid. And the snow came down And it lifted our spirits. Streets so clear It seemed like the end of the world to me. And we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid and we slid.
8.
Keep Blowing 03:16
You’re down in the south where the weather’s too hot I’m sitting further north, “is there sun?”, “not a lot.” So you had a cunning plan that you sent me in a text, You’re gonna blow the sun my way, It’s coming here next! (it’s gonna come my way next). It’s grey above but the atmosphere is Feeling pretty close as though the summer’s near And as I sat outside just yesterday The wind whipped up And blew my hat away (it blew it clean away, it blew it clean away. It blew it clean away, it was yesterday). So keep blowing my friend, keep blowing Fill your cheeks with your breath and keep blowing. I can feel a gentle breeze so keep blowing And warmth around my knees just keep blowing. (Le soleil arrive faut soufflé, je souf!) And now the mercury is reading 17 I’m dreaming of the beach and all the “might have beens”. I’d like to swim in the sea and Merengue in the sand, Tasting ice on my lips from the Mojito in my hand (I’m dancing on the sand, I’m dancing on the sand. With a Mojito in my hand, I’m dancing on the sand). So keep blowing my friend, keep blowing Fill your cheeks with your breath and keep blowing. I can feel a gentle breeze so keep blowing And warmth around my knees just keep blowing.
9.
Why should it be that you must underestimate me? I can’t see but I feel. And how does the bird fly so high Without ever touching the sky? And how will we fend? When will we tend, My long lost friend? Why do I feel like I want to cry When you pass me by? And when does the rain Intend to stay home again? And how will we fend? When will we tend to each other, forever and ever, My long lost friend? My long lost friend.
10.
Je, tu, il, elle, nous, vous, ils, elles. Sous une lumière blafarde Court, danse et se tord sans raison La Vie, impudente et criarde. Aussi, sitôt qu'à l'horizon La nuit voluptueuse monte, Apaisant tout, même la faim, Effaçant tout, même la honte, Le Poète se dit: “Enfin!” Mon esprit, comme mes vertèbres, Invoque ardemment le repos; Le coeur plein de songes funèbres, Je vais me coucher sur le dos Et me rouler dans vos rideaux, Ô rafraîchissantes ténèbres! — Charles Baudelaire (J’ai aimé, tu as aimé, il a aimé, elle a aimé, nous avons aimé, vous avez aimé, ils ont aimé, elles ont aimé) I’m on my French Exchange, The teacher’s left, there’s no one to explain But I’ll get by, I always do, Examining the difference between the vous et tu. Je, tu, il, elle, nous, vous, ils, elles. I’m on my French Exchange, The teacher’s left, there’s no one to explain But I’ll get by, I always do, Examining the difference between the vous et tu.
11.
Circles 04:21
You are the one who sits in the sun. You are the one who sits in the sun. You tilt your head, you tilt your head, Pulling the thread that’s undone. You are the one who walks in the rain. You are the one who walks in the rain. You talk out loud, you’re talking out loud, Embracing the crowd that’s not there. And we’re moving in circles, moving around. Hands deep in pockets, eyes to the ground. Yeah, we’re moving in circles, moving around. Hands deep in pockets, eyes to the ground And I wonder, will we ever be found? You are the one who stands at the bar. You are the one who stands at the bar. Speaking in tongues, you’re speaking in tongues, Expanding your lungs ‘til you fly. And we’re moving in circles, moving around. Hands deep in pockets, eyes to the ground. Yeah, we’re moving in circles, moving around. Hands deep in pockets, eyes to the ground And I wonder, will we ever be found? Around, around, around, around… We’re moving in circles, moving around. Hands deep in pockets, eyes to the ground. Yeah, we’re moving in circles, moving around. Hands deep in pockets, eyes to the ground And I wonder, do you wonder, will we ever be found?
12.
I know you've been hurt by someone else I can tell by the way you carry yourself But if you let me, here's what I'll do I'll take care of you I've loved and I lost the same as you So you see I know just what you've been through And if you let me, here's what I'll do I'll take care of you You won't ever have to worry You won't ever have to whine For I'll be there beside you To dry your weeping eye So darling tell me that you'll be true There's no doubt in my mind, I know what I want to do And then just as sure as one and one is two I know I'll take care of you I'll take care of you I'll take care of you I'll take care of you
13.
El Toro 03:35
Born in searing heat, where the sea and mountains meet It was day three of my grief when the magic began. And as I held you to my breast, I forgot about the rest, It was clear our love would last ‘til Kingdom come. And I could hear you cry Could you hear me cry? There were phases as you grew, like Picasso’s shades of blue, Didn’t matter what we said or what we’d do. So infectious was your charm, it would get us every time, Sharing laughter was the only way to go. And you can hear me cry – El Toro! A renegade in school, not accepting any fool, who should Bend the truth or strut about the place. Gaining kudos from your peers, you were Wise beyond your years but your Innocence illuminates your face. And I have watched this man appear – Demonstrating, entertaining, dedicating, celebrating, Imitating, captivating, graduating, emigrating. El Toro! (El Toro, el Toro, el Toro…) Hear me cry – El Toro! Hear me cry – El Toro!
14.

about

Born in London, with life excursions in Israel and France, Noëlle began her musical education singing harmonies with her younger sister and creating cacophonies with her siblings in the kitchen utensil orchestra.

Since those early days Noëlle has studied jazz performance at the prestigious Rimon School of Jazz and contemporary music in Tel Aviv, winning a bursary at the end of her first year and performing at the IASJ before legendary jazz saxophonist and composer, Dave Leibman. Returning to England, she gained 1st class hons in Music at Dartington College of Arts and began performing with various jazz ensembles as a vocalist and improviser.

“French Exchange” is Noëlle’s debut album of original songs, written, arranged, recorded, mixed and produced by her over a six year period, in four different homes and two countries. It is a beautiful body of work exploring her experiences and relationships leading up to and during her life in rural France.

Since the release of “French Exchange”, Noëlle has performed live sessions for BBC Introducing in Devon and Balcony TV Exeter, has guested on Soundart Radio and has begun touring with her band, Noëlle et les Papillons, featuring up to nine musicians. Noëlle was also long-listed to play on the BBC Introducing Stage at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 2016, curated by Jamie Cullum.

Some feedback so far…
“Saturday night, James Santer, BBC Introducing in Devon, two hours of the finest local music from this fair county.

Wow, looking down the list again some brilliant bands to kick us off tonight, really, really are a little bit later on. Some nice little acoustic tunes winding our way down to one of the most sublime, professional, polished sessions we’ve had in a very long time on the show tonight. Noëlle Rollings will be in the house with a, just gorgeous, gorgeous session, stay tuned for that.”

Later he introduces the session:
“First discovered, a young lady called Noëlle Rollings on, I think a first play show in January this year and her album “French Exchange”, which is so eclectic, so different, each and every track that I’ve played for you so far, I just had to invite Noëlle in for a live session.

I was so impressed with the professionalism on this one, the stunning tracks on this one, the way she conducts herself in the interview in this one is just brilliant; I love it. Noëlle Rollings et les Papillons in session for BBC Introducing in Devon.” James Santer, Producer at BBC Introducing in Devon, April 2016.

“French Exchange has all the advantages and none of the pitfalls of eclecticism. Noëlle Rollings clearly has curious ears. There are a lot of interesting influences here, but over a period of around fourteen years she allowed them all to fall into the same alchemical vessel and come out as her own brand of gold. I first knew her as a jazz singer, and that still might be felt to be her foundation. But her strong artistic identity and range of references takes us way beyond jazz into the fascinating world of her own songs and arrangements. Well worth repeated plays.” ALBUM REVIEW by SAM RICHARDS, Soundart Radio, 2015

credits

released June 8, 2015

Final mixes by Richard Digby Smith at the Music Mill. 2015
Mastered by Tim Turan at Turan Audio Ltd. 2015

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Noëlle et les Papillons Exeter, UK

An adventurous soul, I re-work my observations and experiences into songs and soundscapes. After performing on Jazz circuits abroad and at home for many years, I have finally created my first original body of music, French Exchange.

This debut album brings together talented friends and musicians; les Papillons and explores my musical journey via recent travels. Thanks & enjoy, Noëlle Rollings
... more

contact / help

Contact Noëlle et les Papillons

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Noëlle et les Papillons recommends:

If you like French Exchange, you may also like: