On the program this week, the unique groove of Mathieu Boogaerts in Grand Piano and the last volume of Léo Ferré’s complete works.
Mathieu Boogaerts, Grand Piano (Sooner or later)
Almost thirty years since Mathieu Boogaerts has led one of the most consistent careers in French pop. Three decades of excellence crowned today by what looks like his best album, Grand Piano. An inspired and inspiring record, in the style of its author, but with that little extra that makes it essential. The crafted songs bear witness to the author’s love of words, who puts them entirely at the service of his unique groove. Lots of grace and aerial moments on this record crossed by a playful and joyful breath. The expanded orchestration and the particular care given to the arrangements take these intimate songs to the heights. The false naivety of Mathieu Boogaerts works miracles throughout this album which constitutes an ideal introduction to his art. In concert, after having performed alone for a long time, the man is currently accompanied by a group who knows how to preserve the delicacy of his songs.
Léo Ferré, The Paths of Hell (Universal Music)
Fifth and final volume of a complete set available in exhaustive box sets, this collection presents the work published after the death of Léo Ferré in 1993. A remarkable anthology produced with maniacal care by his son Mathieu, who thus pays homage to his genius as a father , a powerful figure in classical French song whose influence we have not finished measuring. That is to say twelve albums, 7 of which are completely new. 206 songs, 56 of which had never been released before. A real treasure for fans. We thus find the models of the third collection of musical settings of Flowers of Evil , planned for 1977 and finally recorded by Jean-Louis Murat in 2007. But also from Apollinaire and little-known versions taken from radio sessions or concerts. This sum brings to 80 the number of CDs devoted to this edifice that is the complete Ferré collection.
