Heavy Rotation: Belinda Carlisle -- 'Voila'

I'm so hooked on Belinda Carlisle's new album, "Voila," a perfect collection of classic French songs, "updated but never twisted out of shape." Who knew a California girl could become fluent in French as an adult (don't just believe me -- her accent is flawless according to those in the know). While I've had an advance copy of the disc for a few months now, I purchased the official version this past Tuesday (the day it came out) and I'm so glad I did. Although it probably wouldn't sit that well with my new BFF, my favorite part of the CD is the bonus disc with four songs in English (sorry, Babe, there's just something great about being able to sing along).

For starters, she just happens to do an English version of my favorite song on the album -- "Pourtant Tu M'aimes" (now "I Still Love Him"), plus a hot dance remix of "La Vie en Rose" (I can see the gays going crazy over this one at the clubs), "Bonnie and Clyde" (which I believe is the first "single" -- if such a thing exists anymore -- as "Bonnie et Clyde) and one original song not done in French at all, the classic "If You Go Away" (she's no Dusty Springfield, but her version is nice).

I asked Belinda if there would be any U.S. support dates for the new disc and she said "most definitely -- but I have a lot of work to do." She hopes to get confident enough with the material that a teleprompter won't be needed on the road. She told me she had one for a live appearance on local New York television last week and it malfunctioned, but that she was able to get through the song anyway, so I have faith that she'll get it all together in time for some live dates.

After the jump there's a wonder interview (snatched from the pages of Red) with Belinda from her adopted South of France. If you think her Citroen DS is to die for, above, wait till you see her gorgeous house. Continue reading here. --->