Blah Blah Cafe, the Jean-Michel Jarre forum

[Rubberlips]

I have this album on repeat play. I cannot get enough of it. I have not done that with a Jarre album for many years (as a new release).

I know you've been quite outspoken in the past about how disgruntled you've been. I therefore hope that this album has restored your faith a little.

I'm just on my third "proper" listen (my family just don't go for it, which kind of makes listening impossible) and I have to say that the album benefits from sitting down and listening end to end rather than dipping in and out. What I expected to be a random collection of collaborations actually sounds like it has been put together with thought going into the running order.

If I was to mark out of the traditional 5 stars I'd probably opt for a five. It's not consistent enough for me, there's not enough of a "story" here, even though it protests to be a journey through electronica. I do think Jarre has been very clever here though. How Jarre's albums sit culturally and contextually has always been of interest here, and I do think he has nailed it here.

It's a bit gimmicky and I wonder how much I'll play it in subsequent years (I think "If" will be skipped quite a lot). But a satisfying step in Jarre's return to form "journey".

I've got lots I want to say about it. I should write something proper...

[Jon]

I don't agree with comments suggesting his collaborations somehow dillute the Jarre ' authenticity ' of the album.

All his previous, early works which we all hark back to involved other people from Michel Geiss who had an enormous involvement programming sequences, sounds etc to all the other musicians, musical advisors etc through whom he derived inspiration. Dominique Perrier writing solos for him for instance.

Every track clearly, has Jarre's direction and control - they're his tracks through and through.

Oxygene, Equinoxe, Magnetic Fields, Zoolook all involved completely new instruments that made sounds we were yet to hear - sequenced music was new -that can't be repeated again.

Exactly my thoughts. A "proper" Jarre track or album would just be Jarre on his own with no assistance from anyone else, ala Deserted Palace for example. Fans may arc back to Oxygene, Equinoxe, Magnetic Fields, Rendez Vous, Revolutions, Chronologie, etc, etc, but they were never fully Jarre's albums because he had others supplying to the overall layout and sound of the album. People buy a car, a Volvo for example,but how much of that car is ALL Volvo? just certain parts. Yet it's sold as and labelled as a Volvo. Much like a Jarre album. It has his name on it. He wrote much. Contributed plenty. But he is not the full creator of what we finally hear. And Jarre isn't the only major artist out there who does this. What appeals to one will not appeal to all. It is down to taste. Jarre released a new album that he likes, wanted to do, what he thinks fans will like, and regardless how much a fan invests in the purchase, that is not down to Jarre that is down to us. I don't buy into these limited edition sets, such as the one's released for this album. Collectors collect different things. These don't appeal to me because I cannot get a kick out of a fancy box, vinyl sleeve or a signed numbered card. It is the music I get my kicks from. Hell, I paid £10 for the CD album which also appears in a £200 boxset. As someone who has worked in the memorabilia trade for many many years, I cannot justify the prices these companies ask for these sets as they are there just to make money from a certain type of fan.

[Jon]

I have this album on repeat play. I cannot get enough of it. I have not done that with a Jarre album for many years (as a new release).

I know you've been quite outspoken in the past about how disgruntled you've been. I therefore hope that this album has restored your faith a little.

I'm just on my third "proper" listen (my family just don't go for it, which kind of makes listening impossible) and I have to say that the album benefits from sitting down and listening end to end rather than dipping in and out. What I expected to be a random collection of collaborations actually sounds like it has been put together with thought going into the running order.

If I was to mark out of the traditional 5 stars I'd probably opt for a five. It's not consistent enough for me, there's not enough of a "story" here, even though it protests to be a journey through electronica. I do think Jarre has been very clever here though. How Jarre's albums sit culturally and contextually has always been of interest here, and I do think he has nailed it here.

It's a bit gimmicky and I wonder how much I'll play it in subsequent years (I think "If" will be skipped quite a lot). But a satisfying step in Jarre's return to form "journey".

I've got lots I want to say about it. I should write something proper...

The tracks released as singles, the one's I have listened too at their release time, Glory did not overly impress me. Glory I heard in the radio edit which was a terrible butchered edit. I did not like it. As a track on it's own, I don't rate it. However, the full album version is better than the radio edit and slotted in with the rest of the album, it works and for me makes it a better listening experience as apposed to a track on it's own. I avoided listening too If, Zero Gravity, Watching You, A Question of Blood but did enjoy the teaser of Automatic and the released Conquistador. It was Glory and still is Glory I find less appealing. Saying that, I do like If. It is Little Boots and Jarre and sounds like the artists while being that quirky pop tune it is supposed to be. No different to some of the tracks heard on T&T and the Meta album.

[Black Bird]

At German "Music Express" November wiil be a Special Interview.
At eight pictures told Jarre background information. Keywords to the images: Pierre Schaeffer, 9 1/2 weeks, Ron McNair, Korg Mini Pops 7, Pete Townshend, Musique pour Supermarché, Loie Fuller, Jarre with Lech Walesa.



and don`t miss the Interview by Olaf Zimmermann (Radio Eins Berlin -Electro Beats)

http://www.radioeins.de/programm/sendun ... index.html

next wednesday from 11 p.m to 1.00 am next day .

[Adam]

The album trailer included as a download in the fan box is different to the one on YouTube with some bits removed and some extra bits including a preview of the Cyndi Lauper track which sounds rather good.
And also 100% confirms the following for part 2
Julie Holter
Cyndi Lauper
Gary Newman
Sebastian Tellier
David Lynch
Jeff Mills
Mirwais
The Orb
Yello
Hans Zimmer
Also a close up of JMJs computer monitor reveals possibly a second track with Laurie Anderson as it says "Laurie & JM - Sinus Overdrive" unless that was a working title for Rely on me.

[shadow]

The album trailer included as a download in the fan box is different to the one on YouTube with some bits removed and some extra bits including a preview of the Cyndi Lauper track which sounds rather good.

Do I keep missing pieces of my Deluxe Box set? What trailer exactly?

[Jon]

A "proper" Jarre track or album would just be Jarre on his own with no assistance from anyone else, ala Deserted Palace for example. Fans may arc back to Oxygene, Equinoxe, Magnetic Fields, Rendez Vous, Revolutions, Chronologie, etc, etc, but they were never fully Jarre's albums because he had others supplying to the overall layout and sound of the album.

People buy a car, a Volvo for example,but how much of that car is ALL Volvo? just certain parts. Yet it's sold as and labelled as a Volvo.

Much like a Jarre album. It has his name on it. He wrote much. Contributed plenty. But he is not the full creator of what we finally hear.

You and a few others stated this nonsense.



Lets look at the facts


Every JmJ album credits printed on album :   COMPOSED  by JmJ

This is a legal issue. A big artist : lawyers involved when things put in print.

Then what do Michel Geiss, Francis Rimbert, Dominique Perrier, Sylvan Durand do:
sound design from which JmJ chooses,  programming what JmJ wants them to program,
performance of JmJs compositions onto record (exactly as in concerts).


THAT'S IT.

They have composed NOTHING.

These guys would have sued JmJ if they had composed even one sequence and were not credited.

Kudsi Erguner successfully sued JmJ to remove Ney Turkish flute from Revolution :
cause guess why : Kudsi composed the flute tune.

Remember Michel Geiss clearly said he assisted with sequencing, synthesis, mixing on Oxygene, Equinoxe.
Michel Geiss also said Oxygen 1-3 were already complete when he met JmJ.


NO composing by Michel Geiss on any JmJ album.

NO composing by Francis Rimbert, Dominique Perrier, Sylvan Durand on any JmJ album.


Even
Dominique Perrier solos China Concerts are compositions by JmJ,
Played by Domique as he has the technique and improvisational skills and nerves of steel ... GO Dominique

[plate of chips]

A "proper" Jarre track or album would just be Jarre on his own with no assistance from anyone else, ala Deserted Palace for example. Fans may arc back to Oxygene, Equinoxe, Magnetic Fields, Rendez Vous, Revolutions, Chronologie, etc, etc, but they were never fully Jarre's albums because he had others supplying to the overall layout and sound of the album.

People buy a car, a Volvo for example,but how much of that car is ALL Volvo? just certain parts. Yet it's sold as and labelled as a Volvo.

Much like a Jarre album. It has his name on it. He wrote much. Contributed plenty. But he is not the full creator of what we finally hear.

You and a few others stated this nonsense.



Lets look at the facts


Every JmJ album credits printed on album :   COMPOSED  by JmJ

This is a legal issue. A big artist : lawyers involved when things put in print.

Then what do Michel Geiss, Francis Rimbert, Dominique Perrier, Sylvan Durand do:
sound design from which JmJ chooses,  programming what JmJ wants them to program,
performance of JmJs compositions onto record (exactly as in concerts).


THAT'S IT.

They have composed NOTHING.

These guys would have sued JmJ if they had composed even one sequence and were not credited.

Kudsi Erguner successfully sued JmJ to remove Ney Turkish flute from Revolution :
cause guess why : Kudsi composed the flute tune.

Remember Michel Geiss clearly said he assisted with sequencing, synthesis, mixing on Oxygene, Equinoxe.
Michel Geiss also said Oxygen 1-3 were already complete when he met JmJ.


NO composing by Michel Geiss on any JmJ album.

NO composing by Francis Rimbert, Dominique Perrier, Sylvan Durand on any JmJ album.


Even
Dominique Perrier solos China Concerts are compositions by JmJ,
Played by Domique as he has the technique and improvisational skills and nerves of steel ... GO Dominique

Jonques de pêcheurs au crépuscule is not composed by JMJ. And 80% of the Teo & Tea album are standard tracks of the Roland mc-808 and these are not composed by Jarre.

[Adam]

The album trailer included as a download in the fan box is different to the one on YouTube with some bits removed and some extra bits including a preview of the Cyndi Lauper track which sounds rather good.
And also 100% confirms the following for part 2
Julie Holter
Cyndi Lauper
Gary Newman
Sebastian Tellier
David Lynch
Jeff Mills
Mirwais
The Orb
Yello
Hans Zimmer

Sorry, I do not understand...All these artists can be seen it that new trailer or what?

[(Unknown)]

That Cyndi Lauper track. I can't wait!

Sorry, I do not understand...All these artists can be seen it that new trailer or what?

Yes, I think it might have been the wrong trailer that was used for the fan box. Because while partially the same, it's clearly not meant for the first boxset.

[jerome]

The album trailer included as a download in the fan box is different to the one on YouTube with some bits removed and some extra bits including a preview of the Cyndi Lauper track which sounds rather good.
And also 100% confirms the following for part 2
Julie Holter
Cyndi Lauper
Gary Newman
Sebastian Tellier
David Lynch
Jeff Mills
Mirwais
The Orb
Yello
Hans Zimmer

Sorry, I do not understand...All these artists can be seen it that new trailer or what?

They are listed at the end of the trailer (in a similar fashion to the youtube trailer)

[Jon]

they were never fully Jarre's albums because he had others supplying to the overall layout and sound of the album. People buy a car, a Volvo for example,but how much of that car is ALL Volvo? just certain parts. Yet it's sold as and labelled as a Volvo. Much like a Jarre album. It has his name on it. He wrote much. Contributed plenty. But he is not the full creator of what we finally hear.

I once sat down with Francis Rimbert over dinner (no joke, there are several people who can confirm that). He talked a bit about Jarre's methods and work habits. He absolutely did not say anything that could be interpreted anywhere near what you are saying. You write nonsense.

Let me paraphrase Rimbert: "Jarre does all the ground work. He can work alone for weeks in his studio, day and night, and then he has sessions with us. We listen to his work, discuss details, try different things. But Jarre is always the boss, he has total control and always final say. Almost every time his ideas are the ones chosen."

From our chat I got the impression that the musicians contribute something like this: Jarre wants a certain sound but he is not fluent with synthesizer X, so he ask Rimbert or Geiss or Garraud to program it. Or, Jarre has created a sequence and is not satisfied so he ask Rimbert to play it differently, as instructed by JMJ, until they reach something they like and then create it in the box. Or, Jarre had made a few different mixes and ask for input from the team. He's not opposed to input and ideas and suggestions.

Not one word of your accusation has been confirmed or even hinted at by anybody, in any interviews or comment, at any time in history.

[Dr_Jones]

Subtle difference between the digital version of "Close Your Eyes" and the vinyl version:

http://drjones.home.xs4all.nl/jarre/mp3/close_cd.mp3

vs

http://drjones.home.xs4all.nl/jarre/mp3/close_vinyl.mp3

[(Unknown)]

Subtle difference between the digital version of "Close Your Eyes" and the vinyl version:

http://drjones.home.xs4all.nl/jarre/mp3/close_cd.mp3

vs

http://drjones.home.xs4all.nl/jarre/mp3/close_vinyl.mp3

Nice find. I prefer the vinyl version.

[GeeJee]

Can we please end that "discussion" and return to ELECTRONICA? Please.

Subtle difference between the digital version of "Close Your Eyes" and the vinyl version:

http://drjones.home.xs4all.nl/jarre/mp3/close_cd.mp3

vs

http://drjones.home.xs4all.nl/jarre/mp3/close_vinyl.mp3

Whoa. That's a nice find. I wonder if there are more. If anyone is willing to donate the entire vinyl-rip to me... I'd be very grateful.

FYI: the "continuous mix" follows the CD version.