Category: Music

Le “France Bleu Live” de Zaz à Montauban

Before going on tour in February 2019 , the singer Zaz performed this Thursday night in Montauban on the stage of Eurythmie Hall at the invitation of France Bleu. Preceded by the gypsy atmosphere of Delvis in the first part, Zaz has proposed a concert mixing the songs of his new album “Mirror Effect” as his current single “Qué Vendra”

Watch the concert at: Le “France Bleu Live” de Zaz à Montauban

Acoustic Session: Oum ‘Lik”

Courtesy of Le Cargo

The neighborhood is still very lively and multicultural, as we approach the New Morning, one of Paris mythical venues. While we park our bike outside, we learn that we are a little early, or the others a little late, depending on the point of view. The entrance of Studio Bleu is packed, there’s an audition taking place later. A few seconds later we enter the confined space of a large studio. The majestic figure of Oum rise above her seven musicians. The Moroccan singer is rehearsing for her gig at the festival Au Fil des voix. We find ourselves a spot out of the way to listen and watch discreetly. It’s always a privilege to see artists working.

After two songs, we can start setting up for the Cargo ! session. The idea was to keep it simple, with Oum and just two musicians, but we can see than the singer would love to play with all her talented musicians. Of course we’re on board with this new plan, we’ll make it work with the gear we have, we’ll improvise. With this talented bunch, it’s nothing difficult, the musicians find their place instinctively around Oum to create a nice acoustic balance, they play at the right volume so that every instrument can be heard, without drowning the vocals.

We shoot two songs, like we did last time. It’s a simple, delightful moment, filled with great music and laughters. We thought we’d have a hard time recording propely so many musicians, so many different instruments. But in the head it goes smoothly and we can enjoy this beautiful performance Oum and her musicians are offering us.Thanks to Mounir, Oum and her musicians

Follow Oum on Facebook

Video by Renaud de Foville (www.unjourpeutetre.net)

LIVE session: Orouni’s “Speedball”

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people on stage, people playing musical instruments, people sitting, night, concert and indoor
Performing at Les Trois Baudets

Monsieur Pas de Merde really likes the sounds these Parisians make. Orouni remind me of London’s hipster indie iconoclasts  “The Leisure Society,” with a similar mix of strings and wind instruments – très groovy.

Orouni claim influences of Leonard Cohen, The Kinks and Stereolab. Their mix of minimalism and lush arrangements also recall The Velvet Underground, Leonard Cohen, Supergrass, Belle & Sebastian, and (Monsieur Pas de Merde favorite) – ’60s Brit Invasion legend, the Zombies!

C’est groovy – non?

Follow Orouni on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Orouni

video courtesy of Le Cargo

Ballaké Sissoko et Vincent Segal

The very first time I heard the magnificent musical dialogue between Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal  – I was blown away by the beautiful mating of sounds between the kora and cello.

Here’s what Songlines says about the latest recording from this unique artist collaboration:

Ballaké Sissoko is one of Mali’s great kora players and Vincent Segal is a French cellist and producer of remarkable refinement. Their debut, Chamber Music, was one of Jo Frost’s picks of 2010 and this is just as good – perhaps better as the duo have performed together so much they seem to respond to each other instinctively. The contrast of plucked and bowed strings is much of the magic, although Segal is frequently playing pizzicato or creating percussive or flute-like sounds on his cello. The title comes from the fact that much of the album was atmospherically recorded at nighttime on Sissoko’s rooftop in Bamako. SB

Listen via Spotify

Thomas Fersen on Thé ou Café: “Un coup de queue de vache”

I love this description of Thomas Fersen, a French singer-songwriter whom I’ve long admired. “Juste un merveilleux poète qui allume des bougies d’anniversaire dans les yeux de qui l’entend”  [Translated] “Fersen is a simply wonderful poet who lights birthday candles in the eyes of those who hear him.”

Here is Fersen performing on on Thé ou Café

And his interview from the same program

 

For the ukelele players, here’s a nice video showing the chords  from Fersen’s most famous tune, “Louise” I’m going to attempt this on my own uke and perhaps post later!