Nino Ferrer [Digipak]

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:37:10
At the time he conceived his third album, Nino Ferrer was a second collection of EPs comprising 1968's Mamadou Meme and both Je Vends des Robes and Agata from 1969 in their entirety. Whereas Le Telefon felt in many ways a logical next step following Enregistrement Public, the mixed bag that was Mamadou Meme may leave the listener puzzled. For the most part recorded during a period of self-chosen exile in Italy, Ferrer's compositions tend to detour into easy listening territory. While the bossa nova tinged meditation of "La Rua Madureira" certainly has its merits, the tango "Agata" was along way off from the first two albums Memphis soul-styled horn section and Bernard Estardy's rolling Hammond. Even title track "Mamadou Meme" itself comes off as a children's song similar to Sacha Distel's "Monsieur Cannibale," affirming Ferrer's miscast image as a comedian. Former employer and jazz musician Richard Bennett had given Ferrer the opportunity to write and compose material according to his own ideas, resulting in the magnificent "Mirza." Listeners outside France might have been put off by the exotic presence of French lyrics in a rhythm and blues context, but Ferrer truly delivered the goods. Although he really seemed to have found his niche, it appears the singer wasn't too happy with the music, or the image he had to live up to. What's left of his soul preferences is hidden near the end of this album: a reworking of "Tchouk-Ou-Tchouk" from an unsuccessful earlier EP (Viens, Je T'Attends), followed by a soul ballad sung in Italian and finally, a reappearance of Manu Dibango who played organ on album closer "Je Vends des Robes." (In few years Dibango would become known as the saxophone player of the hit "Soul Makossa.") The fact the album's best song "Les Hommes Toute Faire" was already included on previous compilation Le Telefon made the writing on the wall seem even more inevitable. It was composed as the theme song to Agence Interim, a comedy about an office for the temporarily unemployed where the main character has to dress up each episode to fulfill all kinds of odd jobs. The television series had some similarities to The Persuaders and Ferrer made a one-off appearance. While the song's mod qualities were capable of instigating an immediate rush to the dancefloor, it remains a mystery why the good people at his record company, Riviera, didn't include more songs in the same vein. Especially given the ones that were left off Le Telefon: for instance, the gem "Alexandre" (included on the EP Oh! He! Hein! Bon) or the antiwar statement "Le Roi d'Angleterre," from the EP of the same name. Ferrer's popularity in France remained undiminished, however, although a more consistent collection would have better kept his fan's appetites wetted awaiting Ferrer's true return to form. ~ Quint Kik