Velodynamic wrote:
Jon wrote:
We all know that JMJ has not done anything decent in the past decade. And thats one hell of a long time to not do anything good - and damaging.
I will have to agree wholeheartedly with Adam. Either my musical tastes are changing, or JMJ now longer holds my attention other than his early works. I really do hope that this so-called new album he says he is working on will make amends. Oh boy, do we need something! What a shame all these tours are getting in the way. And NO, JMJ doesn't need to perform concerts to sell his material. His back catalogue is vertually non-existant so he doesn't really have anything to sell. And what is publicity for? The right publicity is the selling tool.
Thats my rant over
Without going to much into details, that's how I'm feeling too.
Ok I know this multi legs arena/world tours with a whole armada of vintage instruments, lasers, large screens, fireworks, massive searchlights et.c. et.c. must have been one hell of a job for everybody involved. Creds to that. But at the end of the day it's a 2-3 hour experience with 80+ Euros spent for those fotunate enough to go and watch these spectacles. For those who can't there is nothing new at all. Although the worst thing of all is that there are no real new tracks to play on those fancy instruments. Exept for Oxygene and "Equinoxe 5" (wich appearently wasn't played live before) the track list has been practically the same for the last 11 years (I'm not even going to mention T&T tragedy).
Much new to see, nothing new to hear. JMJ is definitely not as creative musically as he was in the 70's-80's. This said I'm a hopeless optimist and still I have some faith in senior Jean Michel Jarre. There might still be some new organic material around the bend.
The only question is "if?" or "when?".
rants over
I guess to some, my above comments could be regarded as harsh. But they are for a good reason. If JMJ had said 10 years back "my music doesn't really appeal anymore, I'm retiring" then what a blow but what great memories we have. But it would seem he has been on a decline for some time. I will give him his dues, he picks himself up and try's again. It's one thing doing concerts, it's another being creative in the studio. The concerts are and have been for some time an over-kill. There once was a time we had a Jarre concert every so many years. Now it's a steady stream and at times, one after another. Not that's a bad thing, it's just that these concerts are taking away his creativity which should be spent in the studio. I, for one, would prefere to hear some new material which will blow me away than to stand in a crowd of people listening to Jarre live and saying "heard this before". But we are all differant. . . . . But one thing we do all more-or-less agree on is that Jarre's music has/is on a decline. His last great album being Oxy 7-13 and that was way back in 1997. What a long time ago that was. Almost feels like an eternity when you consider the other albums released afterwards. But then again, could this lack of creativity be due to "others" not working with him to their full potential.
Some times I look at Francis and think to myself, "surely he must get bored doing the same thing, over and over again with JMJ". He must stand on that stage thinking "oh, not this one again"
Metamorphoses was a great album in my opinion. Something different from his usual. Tried it again with Teo & Tea. It did not go down too well with a lot of JMJ fans but it grows on you. His last great album was GEOMETERY OF LOVE. This is a masterpiece i love listening to it on my mp3 player. I did not think much of sessions to be totally honest but again listening to it on my mp3 player it is really good.
Jean michel can still make a brilliant album but i think we have waited that long for new material we ourselves have moved on from his music. We are all expecting another Oxygene or Equinoxe but it's not going to happen.
If Adagio is anything to go buy i will not hold my breath. This track just does not go anywhere and i hated it at Manchester.
On JMJ live i would watch him every time he has a concert in the UK. I missed him in 2008 was in Manchester watching man utd play with my oldest son so could not make it. In 2009 i did not even know he was touring i was gutted. I don't care if it's the same tracks we have heard before. That is the music that got me into him. I like it even better when it's been changed. But the biggest reason i would go to watch him live is the LASER HARP. The tracks done by this are a thing of beauty. It is his biggest pull for me. I dragged my wife to Manchester in October the 2 times before this i went by myself. It was great loved every minute of it but wish i had not try to take photos on my phone as i feel i was not giving it 100 per cent attention.
I love the rarities release played it for a week solid but now ive moved on. Essentials hardly gets a play at all but my favourite essentials was the very first 1. Got all the best tracks on it.
I think as a fan base we have all moved on we will do we are getting older bloody 40 for gods sake still collect Jarre stuff. I wait in anticipation for this so called new album i will buy it to add to my collection. And if he tours again i will go. I am really looking forward to the concert in July for the wedding i think and hope it will be an amazing spectacle.
Some disagreements about his last great album and concerts.
