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CD Review
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Songlines, CD Review >>
Lo'Jo
ce soir lá...
4 Stars
Live albums that don't present a markedly different approach to a band's recorded work can be worse than superfluous. But the best cast new light, giving the space to stretch out, rearrange or rethink. Though Lo'Jo's ce soir lá... isn't a radical makeover – and why should it be when they're performing at their peak? – it does offer three new tracks, longer improvisations, new instrumentation in the form of guest musicians, and even a couple of updates of songs from as far back as 1993's Fils de Zamal that are completely transformed by the group's current formation and sensibility. With the bulk of the material coming form the past three studio albums, though, there are just enough changes to make this a worthy addition to Lo'Jo's discography.
Signature songs like “Brûlé la Mèche” are given a different tempo, a different mood. “Le Piano” is taken markedly slower. Even a song like “Señor Calice,” which appears similar, soon takes off to different places, thanks in part to an adept brass, reeds and winds section, who also do wonders on “Tiene la Bandera.” The version of the cinematic “Bourgnoule” even surpasses that of the studio album.
ce soir lá... makes one realize yet again just how good and disciplined and broad-reaching this band is. A bonus CD-ROM film of the song “Tangito” is included, complete with an aereal acrobatic dancer suspended above the group as they perform. ce soir lá... may not win any new converts, but for those, like me, who think this one of the best bands at work in Europe, it is very welcome indeed.
Gerald Seligman
09/01/04
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