Here's a partial album review, written by my boyfriend Glenn:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Je ... ssage/4888
Hey,
I have had this album for a few weeks now, and was planning to write a
review of each track, but my schedule prevents that so I am just going to
post here a partial review of the album. Better than nothing. These are my
first impressions:
Magnetic Fields 1
Another track supported by synthesizers, which blends nice with the strings, choir and percussion. The arrangement is true to the original version, and in fact this recording sounds like a version Jarre easily could have arranged himself for one of his concerts, since he also uses orchestras and choirs on stage. One of the better tracks, that brings out the composition's beautiful harmonies.
The Emigrant
This track also translates well into symphonic version, but without the use
of any synthesizers. The atmosphere of the original version is well
preserved, perhaps because of the way it was composed and designed.
Oxygene 4
As suspected, this version is sounding a little silly. Trying to emulate
this highly synthetic song with "similar sounding" instruments (heck, even
with other synths as well) just won't work. You need to completely
re-arrange the song and transform it into something that works for an
orchestra. Oxygene 4 is the album's biggest dissapointment, but it was
excpected.
Rendez-vous 2
Fortunately, Oxygene 4 is followed by a track designed for orchestra. RV2
sounds much better, but only when they stick to the orchestral parts. The
laser harp part is competently done, but they could have either lost the
laserharp sound completely (which is electronic here) or been more clever
about choosing another instrument for it. I think they get away with RV2
because it was designed to be an orchestral song in the first place.
Rendez-vous 4
This is where I cringe for the first time. If they could not come up with a
better arrangement, which is pure "pop" complete with rock guitar and pop
drumming, they could have left it out. Clearly a big miss in terms of
translating from Jarre to symphonics.
Computer Weekend
This track may seem like an odd choice, but here they throw in latin
percussion, reggea guitars and steeldrums, which (even if there are strings
present) makes it another not-so-symphonic track. It reminds me more of
Senor Coconut than a symphony orchestra.
Chronologie 2
Synthesizers once again support strings, percussion and the choir. The
arrangement is very close to the original, and sounds towards the end better
than it does at the beginning, due to some movie-soundtrack-sounding
swirling string additions. A fairly good verions alltogether, but they could
have been more creative in the arrangements.
Chronologie 3
One of the album's best tracks, which is no surprise since the original
arrangement is near symphonic already, so it translates well to a full
symphonic version. Both strings, a trumpet and something like a clarinet
plays the theme wonderfully. The song sounds rich, fully developed and
powerful.
Equinoxe 4
The orchestra blends with synthesizers and pop percussion to a recording
with some interesting arrangements, but it suffers the "impossible to
imitate" syndrome. The epicness of the original is lost, even if the overall
arrangement is close to the original version. The bridge at around 3 minutes
is especially powerful and shows Jarre's dramatic talent for chilling cords,
but the first half of the track could have used better "translations", like
the final couple of minutes where the symphonic guys pulls out most of their
tricks.
Industrial Revolution Overture, + parts 1 and 2
Not surprisingly, again we have a very good recording, in a quite filmatic
style. The overture's symphonic theme is supported by imaginative percussion
emulating the metallic klangklanging, an emulation that for once actually
works well in the context. The synth lead has been rearranged for several
strings, which is a clever solution rather than just playing it with a flute
or trumpet, which seems to be the solution for a number of other tracks on
the album. IR Part 1 is rather boring or neutral, but it becomes interesting
again with IR Part 2, where oomph picks up and military march percussion
supports the theme quite nice. At the end, something that sounds like an
electric guitar jumps in; this is a little unexpected but works allright.
Summary:
Overall, judging the whole album, I would say they could have been satisfied
with just one disc and left out some of the sillier tracks and chosen only
those that sound great symphonically. As the album is now, I am
dissappointed with roughly half the tracks, that are either plain silly
alltogether or have significant flaws. The problem lies in arranging a song
for orchestra and choir that wasnt written for orchestra and choir, and I
have no doubts that the producers and arrangers are competent, but I think
they chose the wrong tracks sometimes, and chose the wrong way of looking at
rearrengements.
Should you buy the album? The collectors and diehard fans will buy it, but
the casual listener could buy it if you get it cheap. I think some of
Jarre's own symphonic stage versions are better than more than half this
album.
Jarre Forever!
Glenn
Jean Michel Jarre Fanclub Norway (since 1993)
www.jarretribute.com
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Love Leelene
(Amiga1 and Christophe) I don't have such contacts!!! 
