What are you listening to right now # 25

[joel]

Should one start with vol 1 or 2?

If I'm honest, i'm not totally crazy about the style of Franco's music, based on listening to the Golden Afrique 2 CD compilation, which has some of his greatest hits. But always interested in revising a hasty opinion.

Are these LP or CD?

P.

Salut PsB,
Golden Afrique 2 features much older tracks, from the beginning of the Rumba Congolese period, when it was still more Rumba than Congolese. Things began to get really interesting much later as the Batwa Ekonda crept back in. Also, Network have a rather metallic house sound, which works better for some things than others (I'm being generous here TBH).
The place to start is Francophonics Volume 2 CD1. To my ears, this covers his final and finest period of activity in the 1980s. There's not much Rumba left by this stage, the clavé and ambience are a kind of grooved-out polyrhythmic Afro-blues jam, and Le Grand-Maître has, shall we say, issues. The elements combine into a potent, slow-burning sulphurous brew. Tracks like Princesse Kikou and Cooperation are simply some of the most wonderful music ever made anywhere by anyone.
It's pretty easy to find Franco on vinyl in Paris. The LPs sound better, too.

now playing: Charles Aznavour - Isabelle, hier encore, mourir d'aimer. Wonderful.

a+

 

[Joe Hutch]

Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street.

 

[PsB]

Salut PsB,
Golden Afrique 2 features much older tracks, from the beginning of the Rumba Congolese period, when it was still more Rumba than Congolese. Things began to get really interesting much later as the Batwa Ekonda crept back in. Also, Network have a rather metallic house sound, which works better for some things than others (I'm being generous here TBH).
The place to start is Francophonics Volume 2 CD1. To my ears, this covers his final and finest period of activity in the 1980s. There's not much Rumba left by this stage, the clavé and ambience are a kind of grooved-out polyrhythmic Afro-blues jam, and Le Grand-Maître has, shall we say, issues. The elements combine into a potent, slow-burning sulphurous brew. Tracks like Princesse Kikou and Cooperation are simply some of the most wonderful music ever made anywhere by anyone.
It's pretty easy to find Franco on vinyl in Paris. The LPs sound better, too.

now playing: Charles Aznavour - Isabelle, hier encore, mourir d'aimer. Wonderful.

a+

Joel,
Thanks for the summary. Yes it's the rumba side that I didn't get on with so much. Too Cuban, not African enough. And yes, some of those Network CD do sound a bit, hmmm, direct.
I will schlepp out through the snow to my local jazz/african specialist for Francophonics Vol 2. He's bound to have it as he's a total Franco nut, and it's easier than going to Paris. Some of the gems unearthed at his place recently:
- Por Por: Honk Horn music of Ghana (Smithsonian Folkways). Played by the La Drivers Union on squeeze-bulb honk horns, tyre rims etc. It includes gems such as "Shidaa, a song of praise and tribute to elders and union leaders". Fantastic stuff in small doses. Free jazz aficionados would love it.
- Mali: La Nuit des Griots. Ousmane Sacko and his wife Yakaré Diabaté. Recorded live by France Musique/RF at a concert in Le Havre. Excellent music. Good liner notes, with the French and English versions done by different experts and giving two different perspectives.
- Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: I speak Fula. I had my doubts about this one (suspected World Music rip-off) but it is actually very pleasant. Accompaniment by an orchestra of ngoni. Here again, abundant and informative notes.

(Just finished listening to) Marin Marais: Alcione, Suites by Jordi Savall / Concert des Nations. Good baroque storm scene at the end.

 

[kwmason]

Frank Zappa - burnt weeny sandwich

 

[mat_mcg]

The DVD-Audio disc of David Crosby's "If I Could Only Remember My Name"

 

[jimb0]

Brigitte Bardot picture disc.

 

[Joe Hutch]

Half Man Half Biscuit: Cammell Laird Social Club

Half Man Half Biscuit: ACD

 

[Setting Son]

Buddy Guy - Left my blues in San Francisco ........cos I can't fecking find 'Damn right, I've got the blues'

 

[Stu_cj]

New Order - Low Life

was watching something on the telly about the internet revolution and noticed the track Eligia playing in the background - one of the best if not the best New Order tracks of all time, so dug out the CD.

Haven't listened to this in ages and I instantly recognised that I hadn't played this since several recent upgrades. I was quite staggered by the SQ on this, real hairs on the back of the neck moment - sublime....

 

[Stu_cj]

Wow - Just found on Spotify that they have a remastered version of Low Life which includes a full 17 minute odd version of Eligia - OMG!

 

[Carl Nyqvist]

Les Paul - New Sound Vol. 2

 

[jimbob75]

Neil Young Massey Hall '71, now Dylan 'Time Out Of Mind'

 

[joel]

I will schlepp out through the snow to my local jazz/african specialist for Francophonics Vol 2. He's bound to have it as he's a total Franco nut, and it's easier than going to Paris. Some of the gems unearthed at his place recently:
- Por Por: Honk Horn music of Ghana (Smithsonian Folkways). Played by the La Drivers Union on squeeze-bulb honk horns, tyre rims etc. It includes gems such as "Shidaa, a song of praise and tribute to elders and union leaders". Fantastic stuff in small doses. Free jazz aficionados would love it.
- Mali: La Nuit des Griots. Ousmane Sacko and his wife Yakaré Diabaté. Recorded live by France Musique/RF at a concert in Le Havre. Excellent music. Good liner notes, with the French and English versions done by different experts and giving two different perspectives.
- Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: I speak Fula. I had my doubts about this one (suspected World Music rip-off) but it is actually very pleasant. Accompaniment by an orchestra of ngoni. Here again, abundant and informative notes.
(Just finished listening to) Marin Marais: Alcione, Suites by Jordi Savall / Concert des Nations. Good baroque storm scene at the end.

To judge from that very excellent list, I would be rather surprised if late period Franco didn't work for you.
Now: Reggiani - Cent loups sont entrés dans Paris. Pour de vrai. I still don't get the "Charmante Elvira" allusion. It must be more specific than a general reference to collabos. Colibris?

 

[Martin M]

Frank Zappa - Zoot Allures (just the title track). Marvellous

 

[Alex N]

Serge Gainsbourg - histoire de melody nelson

 

[brad666]

Frank Zappa - Zoot Allures (just the title track). Marvellous

Just listened to Frank's Hot Rats on vinyl

 

[peter_964rs]

I rummaged through my vinyl collection and randomly selected ELO. What a re-find! I had completely forgotten just how wonderfully kitsch and yet competent they were. Plus, my gf started to sing along without realising - the true test of quality music

 

[joel]

Super Diamono de Dakar - People

 

[sam_cat]

Grimfist - 10 Steps to Hell
Really challenges the kit, and I love playing it loud (loud enough that the neighbours really need to be out).

 

[Jenks]

David Bowie - The Budhha of Suburbia