Ben Harper & Relentless7 @ Studio SFR Paris April 25th 2009

Ben Harper @ Studio SFR
Private show Paris April 25th 2009

Invit only, private showcase for 300 people ,mainly competition winners, with Ben Harper & Relentless7.
After playing La Cigale ( click for the review with Pics & Videos ) a few days ago Ben is back in Paris.
Once again he's here to promote his brand new cd ( to be out next week ) so tonight we'll only get new songs.
Once again we had to deal with a N° 1 slut in her field ( read SFR's PR ) to get in on time. As the show was broadcasted live on the radio ( Oui fm ) and Internet , it started at 8 : 30 PM sharp.
We made our way in just as the first song started.
The Place is packed.

What can i tell you that I didn't say about the show @ La Cigale , It's rocking tonight once again.
No more of that so called bluesy-soul shit.
Of course not all the songs are heavy we had a couple of really cool laid back songs.

The SETLIST was supposed to be only 8 songs and we were lucky to have 2 extra songs. " Boots like this" + "Faithfully remains" (or is it the other way around )

Great set , nevertheless a bit short 80 min long.
I guess nobody ask for their money back.

Ben Harper went to see a dozen fans waiting outside, after having a drink with a few vips, and signed a few cds including his brand new album , "a first in France" as Ben noticed.

Aftershow meeting

Invitation(s) + Passes + original setlist ( incomplete )
+ record & invitation signed by Ben Harper.

Iggy Pop @ La Musicale Preview 4 videos from recording

Hi There
On Canal+ Website you can watch a couple of videos from the recording of La Musicale Nightclubbing II:

The teaser for the show +
Iggy Pop/ Grace Jones
Iggy Pop / Catherine Ringer ( From Rita Mitsuko )
Iggy Pop / Emma Decaunes

Videos HERE
Pictures from the show HERE
Broadcasting :
Avril 25th 23:45 on Canal+ Décalé
April 27th 20:45 ( French Time ) on Canal+

Bob Dylan slaughtering " Mr Tambourine man"

Some people didn't agree after my reviews of Bob Dylan's gigs in Paris in which i was saying that he was singing like shit and that some of his most famous songs were barely recognizable so ...
Listen to this massacre:

After listening to THAT don't tell me it's NOT a piece of shit !

Ben Harper & Relentless7 Private listening party @ EMI Headquarter Paris

I took off the review as the record compagny couldn't get us tickets for the Private gig at the Studio SFR on saturday the 25th.
There's no reason why I should do publicity for their artist when they can't get us just one fucking ticket for the show.

By the way , After the Beatles who sued EMI for unpaid royalties a few years ago now it's the PINK FLOYD who are sueing EMI for the same reason : unpaid royalties.
Paul MCartney left his label after 45 years because EMI became " boring " and he " dreaded going to see executives " there.
Radiohead also ditched EMI and released his latest album " In rainbows" on their own.
The Rolling Stones also left Virgin ( EMI ) so sign with Universal.
The Beatles and Pink Floyd are the best selling artists on the label.

HJALTALIN @ Nouveau casino Paris April 21st 2009

Hjatalin + Fanny Krief @ Nouveau Casino
Paris April 21st 2009

I can't tell you anything about this band from Iceland, a friend of mine invited me to see them , just heard some of their song HERE and they sounded really good.

French folk singer Fanny Krief is opening , I don't know how long she's been playing but she needs more practice, she has a good voice but doesn't know how to use it for maximum efficacity.

Then we have this unknown band from Iceland HJATALIN , they started with a very quiet song , you could hear a pin drop.
Their pop-rock is really cool with some classical touch . It is a drums-bass guitar formation plus an unusual instrument for a pop band the Faggot plus some trompet for a few songs.
The singer is fluent in French ( it Helps to communicate ) and the female singer has a high and charming voice .
Nice discovery for me.
ps : could you please shot down the light engineer.

Ben Harper @ La Cigale Paris April 20th 2009

Ben Harper @ La Cigale Paris April 20th 2009

Piers Faccini Opening / Ben Harper & Relentless7

Great to see Ben Harper back in Paris with a rock band Relentless7 , exit The Innocent Criminals.
I just couldn't bare them anymore.
When was the last time Ben Harper did a decent record ? I just can't seem to remember "Diamonds on the inside" was the beginning of the end for me. By trying to please everyone he just pissed off everybody.
Now back to basics.

Piers Faccini is opening , a bit boring maybe I wasn't in the mood for this folk-rock , the cello girl is really cute.
Then Ben Harper , I haven't listen to any of the new songs and I want some Fuckin' Rock'n Roll.
And I did get it tonight , he's still alternating between his electric guitar and his weissenborn ( played on his lap ) almost only new songs tonight.
He played the whole new cd
Very rock at the beginning then so more laid back tracks.
Lots of jamming à la Jimi Hendrix Experience when the band was doing a bit of Free Jazz.
The drummer is really good and as you can see on the pictures ( © Guino Patrice ) they are playing on vintage instruments.
Many songs were more than 6 min long ( including one of almost 10 min ) but never dull or boring.
Great atmosphere as Ben is ( was ) very famous over here , lots of claping and singalong when needed .

Quiet & wild

Shake it Maaan !

Nice drumming Dude.

Ben can't face these froggies ;-)

The only thing I couldn't understand is why they did a cover of the duet Queen/ David Bowie's " Under Pressure" ?
the vibe was sooo good for the whole gig and they just RUIN everything by playing this song , don't get me wrong it's a good song but it had nothing to do here at all .
Especially considering Ben 's vocals compare to Fredie Mercury's.
14 songs played in all ( 4 for the encore )

SETLIST: ;-)

Better Way* (from "Both sides ..." )

Number With No Name

Shimmer And Shime

Lay There & Hate Me

Why Must You Dress

Shin Thin

Fly One Time

Keep It Together

The Word Suicide

Boots Like These

Lonely Day* ( from 1st record )

FaithfullyRemain

Under Pressure (Queen).*

Up To You Now

90 min

GREAT set , Ben Harper is back from the dead , so good to see ( hear ) him starting all over again with a new band for a fresh new start.

Keep on rockin' Man.

A new song "Shimmer & Shine" :

Watch Queen/David Bowie's " Under Pressure" here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAWCcerd08c

He will also play a private show @ Studio SFR on Saturday the 25th .
There will be a private listening party on the 22nd @ EMI headquarter in Paris.

A Camp is playing @ Maroquinerie on 26th April

see ya there

Willy DeVille forced to cancel all 2009 plans because of Hepatitis C treatment

Willy DeVille is forced to cancel all plans for 2009 as he's treated for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the blood. The infection can cause liver inflammation that is often asymptomatic, but ensuing chronic Hepatitis can result later in cirrhosis and liver cancer.

It is a disease spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C is often associated with used needles.

About 4.5 million Americans suffer from hepatitis C, which is hard to detect but can cause scarring of the liver and lead to cirrhosis

Willie is not the first rocker to reveal his Hepatitis C infection , Steven Tyler ( Aerosmith ) faught it , apparently with success , in 2006
Tyler said it wasn’t easy to deal with the disease and the treatment took a toll on his body — and his marriage
It took him 11 months of chemotherapy.

So Willy Get well soon !

Videos of Willy in Paris' Cigale last July HERE and HERE
Review with Pics HERE

Madonna buys $40M house in NY

You wanna see where it is how it looks like click HERE

Alela Diane @ L' Album de la Semaine April 14th 2009

setlist

Alela Diane is still in Paris for some promotion , this time she's playing the famous Canal+ tv show " L' Album de la semaine" in front of 200 people.
It's packed tonight.
Same entrance as a few days ago at the Bataclan ( see review pics and video HERE ).
First song with only the backing vocalist girl and her father on acoustic guitar ( he will play several guitars from acoustic to electric during the set including a bit of Dobro ) then for the second song the bass player is joining in and then the drummer for the third.
She's here to promote her new cd " to be still" but she's opening her set with an 'old' song from " The Pirate's gospel" [2007] ( she'll end it with another one from the same record).
Once again she did a fine gig , I like her soft voice and the bass player is funny to watch as if someone had put a couple of lizards in his trousers LOL

She also played a private show @ The Salle de Billard of the Olympia Theatre in Paris yesterday ( Capacity 300 ) , sorry I didn't go, It was a long & lazy week-end for me.

Rock en Seine 2009 Line -up so far...

Official site

Well not that good. I'm Waiting for other bands to be announced !

Peter Doherty video @ L' album de la semaine April 2009

Peter Doherty recorded last month this tv show for Canal+
Here's an extract , the whole show will be broadcated on Canal+ April 18th at midnight:

Anthony & the Johnsons @ Grand Rex Paris April 9th 2009

Watch a video of Anthony @ Album de la semaine TV show (click on link )
Recorded April 8th in Paris

Anthony & the Johnsons @ Grand Rex

Paris April 9th 2009

Correct setlist

Anthony was playing "L'album de la semaine" tv show for Canal+ yesterday , I didn't go as I was at Bob Dylan.
So i'm glad that he's playing a long sold-out show in the most beautiful cinema in France and probably the biggest with more than 2000 confortable seats. These seats are so confortable that they are closer to private sofas. So the conditions are perfect.
Anthony's last cd " The crying Light" is absolutely great so i was looking forward for this gig. His voice is sooo amazing, quite a difference compare to Bob Dylan's
The gig started very slowly with lots of very slow songs but then things started to move a bit.
Anthony is on the piano on the left with 6 musicians on the right ( Drums , Bass, Guitar , 2 violins or cellos and woodwind ).
Once again i've found out another artist who's palying 90% of the wole set almost completely in the dark but it suits the music fine, See Pics ( or video )for the only moment with decent lightning.

Thumbs up for the performance !

His voice is very emotional and the gig went smoothly until he had to restart " you are my sister" 3 times but he took the opportunity to chat with the audience and be political on God & Jesus + Obama for a good 5 min that was really fun and interesting.
Some songs were welcome with rousing applause ( the "old" ones )
No one has the new cd in here ?
The guy is nice , the songs are good and the voice is amazing : Great gig
Anthony has gone a long way since his first show at the tiny Maroquinerie a few years ago.
Next step is the Zénith in Paris ( Hope so )

From Oliver Peel :
A few pictures from the gig here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliverpeel/sets/72157616566332814/
A few pictures from the Aftershow here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliverpeel/sets/72157616476116749/

Enjoy this one :

Bob Dylan 2nd show @ Palais des Congres Paris April 8th 2009

Bob Dylan @ Palais des Congres Paris
2nd Show April 8th 2009

Back to the Palais des Congres for Bob Dylan's second show in Paris.
This time no fooling around , yesterday the audience, as soon as Bob was introduced , rushed to the front of the stage and it took the security a few songs to clear the perimeter.
Tonight everybody stayed quietly seated.
In fact Frenchies were really sleeping for the whole gig and only woke up for the encore, strange.
I've got to say that this show was much better than yesterday maybe because he played " Lay Lady lay" early in the show which is one of my favorite song.

Of course, the lightning is still too dark to take decent pics ( That's Patrice Guino's opinion , our camera man ).
As long as you try to exclude the poor vocals , it's fine.
So I really enjoy this one.
French crooner Charles Aznavour was here, so was Lenny Kravitz( who seemed to be bored out of his mind ).

SETLIST :

1. The Wicked Messenger
2. Lay, Lady, Lay
3. Things Have Changed
4. When the Deal Goes Down
5. Til I Fell In Love With You
6. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
7. Sugar Baby
8. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
9. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
10. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
11. Beyond The Horizon
12. Highway 61 Revisited +
    
13. The Times We've Known (by Charles Aznavour)
14. Thunder On The Mountain
15. Like A Rolling Stone
16. All Along The Watchtower
17. Spirit On The Water
18. Blowin' In The Wind

See our review from Yesterday's show HERE

The whole stage

The whole cast / Beautiful girl in the subway

I met this beautiful young girl on my way home , i had to ask her for a pic she was so cute ( her father is next to her ) ;- )

" Thunder on the mountain" :

Contact : irockinparis (@ ) yahoo.fr

Bob Dylan @ Palais des Congres Paris April 7th 2009

UPDATED APRIL 9TH : Carla Bruni Sarkozy was at the gig ( with her husband ? ) , i've been told about it yesterday but as i didn't noticed it myself on the night I didn't talked about it. According to the press Carla even get Bob's Harmonica. BITCH

Bob Dylan @ Palais des Congres Paris

1st show April 7th 2009

1st show in Paris , it was sold-out a long time ago and many people were looking for tickets outside , you could get one from the scalpers for 250 Euros.
Patrice Guino, our photographer, who has connections all over the world could get us invitations on the 20th row , not the best seats in the house but who's gonna complain ?
Well... maybe him as he couldn't do any decent pictures.

Anyway , Bob is still stuck to his keyboards most of the time , only playing the guitar for a couple of songs ,and he's playing on all but 3 songs almost in complete dark ( " a fucking nightmare for me" dixit Patrice )
Of course when you go to a Bob Dylan concert don't expect the best , you go to see a Legend.
His glory days are long behind him and the poor sucker just CANNOT sing anymore at all.
Some songs , the most well-known ones , are barely recognizable.
Nevertheless there are some very good moments when the band is playing an extended version or solo and Bob is NOT singing.
Overall good 2 hour show.

SETLIST :

1. Cat's In The Well
2. The Times They Are A-Changin'
3. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
4. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
5. John Brown
6. Rollin' And Tumblin'
7. Chimes Of Freedom
8. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
9. Masters Of War
10. Honest With Me
11. Beyond The Horizon
12. Highway 61 Revisited
13. Po' Boy
14. Thunder On The Mountain
15. Like A Rolling Stone
16. All Along The Watchtower
17. Spirit On The Water
18. Blowin' In The Wind

Bob Dylan did a photo session for Rolling Stone US between 1PM & 3PM today in a private building next to the Parc Monceau in Paris.

" All along the watchtower" :


See you tomorrow .
Contact : irockinparis (@ ) yahoo.fr

Kurt Cobain 15 years already

It's hard to believe that he died 15 years ago.
He lives on with his music

Alela Diane @ Bataclan ( + William Elliott Whitmore ) April 6th 2009

Alela Diane + William Elliott Whitmore
Bataclan April 6th 2009

Alela Diane is very popular in France , she's signed to a French label Fargo Records , tonight's show is sold-out but it's an all seated event so there is around 900 people.
First on is William Elliott Whitmore playing banjo and acoustic guitar , he has a low voice , nice if you're into that kind of Folk-country -blues music.

Alela has released a couple of records and is coming very often in Paris , this was a first for me, I just came without knowing or hearing anything about her .
So I didn't know what to expect.
The gig started really softly singing on her own then for the next number came her guitar player and so on for the rest of the band.
She has a lovely voice and is totally folk with a bit of country ( some slide guitar parts ) and Irish folk.
Cool set but a bit short ( around 75 min ) i've been told that we were lucky as she has played a longer set than usual.
When she signed the setlist she told me that she changed a couple of songs so don't get fooled .
Straight after the gig she went ( with the backing vocalist ) to sign ( and sell ) cds and vinyls at the merchendise stall.

Setlist not accurate

Sexy Alela

Alela Diane will play a promotional show @ the " Salle de Billard " ( 300 capacity ) of the Olympia Theatre on April 13th.