POLLY HARVEY (right) has recorded two songs with eccentric French musician Pascal Comelade.
Comelade is best known in France and Spain for his work with The Bel Canto Orquestra, a big band who have recorded songs by Jonathan Richman, Bob Dylan and Robert Wyatt which they perform on toy instruments. Harvey says she has been a fan ever since she saw Comelade three years ago.
Harvey sings on the tracks ‘Love Too Soon’ and ‘Green Eyes’ which she co-wrote. They appear on Comelade’s new album, ‘L’Argot Du Bruit’ (‘The Slang Of The Noise’), released by Virgin in June. The songs feature accordions and are said to be reminiscent of “old-fashioned French marketplace music”. ‘Love Too Soon’ will also be included on the soundtrack of the new Hal Hartley movie, The Book Of Life, in which Harvey plays Jesus’ bodyguard.
Polly Harvey can be seen performing on UK television on Later With Jools Holland on Friday, May 15. She’ll be duetting with Tricky on ‘Broken Homes’, the song they recorded together in New York last January. This week’s show also features The Smashing Pumpkins, Sizzla and pianist Leon Russell.