Showing posts with label JJ Chardeau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JJ Chardeau. Show all posts

Thursday, August 3, 2023

JJ Chardeau’s Rock Opera “Magical Music Man” Adds a Second Album with Ombres And Lumières Feat. Members of King Crimson, XTC, Spirit, Supertramp, ELO and Others - OUT NOW!

Featuring Dave Gregory (XTC), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Danny Seraphine and Jason Scheff (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), John Helliwell (Supertramp), John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters), Eric Troyer (Electric Light Orchestra), Jimmy Haun (Arc of Light)

Ombres & Lumières (Shadows & Lights) is the brand new album by Chardeau, a.k.a. The Magical Musical Man. The French artist and composer continues his dreamy and musical trip around the world, started with the previous In Terra Cognita ? in 2019.

This second part (out of 4 planned volumes) is dedicated to Western Europe in 14 tracks, mostly instrumental, served by around fifty musicians, vocalists and guests. The production of this new album lasted three years, in conditions somewhat disturbed by the Covid pandemic and its effects. But the result is miraculous.

Among the guests who have participated to Ombres & Lumières: Danny Seraphine and Jason Scheff (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), John Helliwell (Supertramp), John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters), Eric Troyer (Electric Light Orchestra), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Jimmy Haun (Arc of Life) and Dave Gregory (XTC).

JJ Chardeau said of the release: “With the help of my friends I’ve been able to continue my magical musical journey with this second album. The love for the 'In Terra Cognita?' album from fans has made it all worthwhile and I hope everyone will enjoy this new album!”

To purchase:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/JJOandMcd
Apple Music: https://geni.us/JJam
Spotify: https://geni.us/JJsp
The album is also available from Cherry Red directly: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/jj-chardeau/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Progressive Rock Review: JJ Chardeau - In Terra Cognita?

Release Date: November 15, 2019
Label: L RECORDS, Muffin Records Productions USA

A chanting overture, “Evolution,” leads into a battle-like track with “Dream In Moscow.” In Terra DCognita? (The Music of the Rock Opera Magic Musical Man) is a musical phenomenon. Not only is it an impactful recitation of wonderful instrumentation, but, the listener is gifted with a culture shock of all different languages and origins.

JJ Chardeau is certainly a man of uniqueness. As seen throughout this album, Chardeau does not limit himself to one particular styling or sound. Instead, he will push boundaries to see great success in his work and artistic expressions. For over 30 years, he’s been making Progressive Rock all his own and bending every rule he can.

“Dream In Moscow” is a beautifully written out build-up of battle or struggle. It begins as an illuminating piece, soothing the listener’s ear with a piano intro, as the orchestra and Chicago’s Danny Seraphine, along with Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre lending their voices to this piece amongst others throughout the album. “Black Taj Mahal” is a good contour for the prior track as the chimes, flute, and what sounds to be a triangle echo out a mental escape to a serene picturesque land.

“Farewell Lhassa” is another ode to a foreign area, China. One that offers up a more haunting vibe of chimes and an occasional gong and guitar riff. Voices arise of an alert message that conflict has now arisen and materials (missiles) have been stolen, almost as though someone has been compromised. This is followed up by another strictly instrumental piece.

Filled with the xylophone, keyboard, and drums to keep the rhythm in place, “DMZ” bridges the album together keeping a steady relaxed tone throughout the track. Leading into “Frisson Nippon,” is a thrilling, excitement lead-up of chimes and whistle-into-chant. It feels as though the song is taking the listener sailing through steady waters or hiking up to conquer some challenges on land or sea. “Les larmes du pacifique” starts as a tropical island getaway, going into a tragic song of tears and struggle.

“Nunavut,” is a hushed and fluted piece that has a god-like messenger speaking throughout. It sounds as though, a mission is being explained or what might be next to come on the listener’s journey, wherever the figure may be thinking of. Then we approach “The Last Rockaway.” It is different and fun from the rest of the record where it feels more like a classic rock n’ roll song. It asks of the individual’s humble beginnings as he is the sole person left of his own.

“Pablo Tequila” is a fun international song that throws even the most anti-dancer into a hip-shaking good time. It is a simple feel-good song that poses as a rarity for the record. Following that up, “Machu Picchu” is a strictly instrumental styled piece that has a very simplistic sound to it. A piano at the beginning and end, a flute, and some percussion give life to this song as it sends the listener through another conflict-to-resolution type of scenario; ending with a serene resolution.

Heading into what sounds like a Middle-Eastern piece, the majority of “Cabale Kabyle” is an easy, melodic tune that appeals well to the average listener. Towards the end there seems to be a bit of struggle or issue of sorts but, within a minute the struggle resigns to more of the strings ending the tune with peace. Next, “Walls of Lament” (the single off the record), gives a feel to me like a spy movie. It reminds me of where the spy or hero is trying to get past the laser-covered room to reclaim his stolen artifact. But, by the middle of the song, it becomes something back into a foreign land to adventure through thickets of fog as the listener wanders.

“Tchad” is probably the most complicated of the tracks to understand to a person whose only language is English. It sounds as though the vocalist is proclaiming the area their own. The fact that they will not go down without a fight shows their strength and resilience to protect what is theirs. This, combined with the finale of “The End” leads to a very powerful finale. The brightness and intensity show how to end a story properly.

Key tracks include: “Dream In Moscow,” “Les larmes du pacifique,” and “Pablo Taquila.” 
 

Gregg Keniston- MuzikMan.net Staff
March 8, 2020



Track Listing:
01. Evolution (Magical Musical Man Ouverture)
02. Dream In Moscow
03. Black Taj Mahal
04. Farewell Lhassa
05. DMZ
06. Frisson Nippon
07. Les larmes du pacifique
08. Nunavut
09. The Last Rockaway
10. Pablo Tequila
11. Machu Picchu
12. Cabale Kabyle
13. Wall of Laments
14. Tchad
15. The End? (Magical Musical Man Finale)

 


Monday, November 25, 2019

JJ Chardeau’s Rock Opera "Magical Music Man" Launched with Release on CD & Download of "In Terra Cognita?" - OUT Now!


Featuring Numerous Special Guests from Across the Rock World – Mark Andes (Canned Heat, Spirit), Jerry  Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Brian Auger (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Michael Sadler (Saga) and others!

French musician and composer, JJ Chardeau has launched his rock opera “Magical Music Man” on CD, Download and Streaming platforms with the album “In Terra Cognita?”

The album features special guests including Mark Andes (Canned Heat, Spirit), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Brian Auger (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Alex Ligertwood(Santana), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Danny Seraphine (Chicago), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Michael Sadler (Saga), Chris Pinnick (Chicago) and Hank Linderman (America, Chicago).

The premise of the rock opera is: When his on board computer fails Magical Musical Man learns that he will crash on a planet reportedly inhabited by Degenerates, called Earth. In a panic he sees only one salvation: calling God the great alchemist-creator of the universe to his rescue. Thus appears God (portrayed by Jean-Claude Drouot) but He has no memory of the human kind. He only remembers a quarrel between the first couple of humans about an apple... So God agrees to accompany Magical Musical Man to Earth to find out what happened to human kind!

The 15 tracks of the album constitute a dreamy and musical trip around the world, made like a movie in space and time, a journey at the edge of earthly music and human societies.

The album is OUT NOW and available via Cherry Red:
CD edition: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitaCD
iTunes: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitiTunes
Google Play: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitaGP
Spotify: https://geni.us/InTerraCognitaSpotify

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com