Resistance A La Nuit Live - Raphael

I enjoy French music a great deal and I have been a fan of Raphael Haroche for several years, since I made an impulse purchase of his third studio album: 'Caravane'. His voice is stunning, his lyrics original and poetic.

Last month, on holiday in Paris I stumbled upon 'Résistance à La Nuit: Live 2006'.
The album was recorded over three concerts at Le Zénith de Paris in June 2006.
I'm not normally a fan of live albums, ...
...of the CD in the shop and decided that the quality seemed good enough for me to take a chance on it. Boy, am I glad I did!

The easiest way to review this is to take it track-by-track.

'Funamble'
This was the closing track on Raphael's last studio album, 'Caravane'. It begins with some cheering from the audience, presumably as Raphael entered the stage. However, the audience quiets down very quickly and they're ... more

I enjoy French music a great deal and I have been a fan of Raphael Haroche for several years, since I made an impulse purchase of his third studio album: 'Caravane'. His voice is stunning, his lyrics original and poetic.

Last month, on holiday in Paris I stumbled upon 'Résistance à La Nuit: Live 2006'.
The album was recorded over three concerts at Le Zénith de Paris in June 2006.
I'm not normally a fan of live albums, but I had the opportunity to listen to a little of the CD in the shop and decided that the quality seemed good enough for me to take a chance on it. Boy, am I glad I did!

The easiest way to review this is to take it track-by-track.

'Funamble'
This was the closing track on Raphael's last studio album, 'Caravane'. It begins with some cheering from the audience, presumably as Raphael entered the stage. However, the audience quiets down very quickly and they're hardly heard throughout the rest of the CD.
The track begins slowly, gently and then comes in a little more forcefully with the drums until it hits full pace and the electric guitar really begins to sing. It's orchestrated very differently to the original version on 'Caravane' and I have to say I like this version better! As the original 'Funamble' winds down an album, so this one builds it up. It's an absolutely fantastic opening track, really sets the mood and gets the blood pumping ready for the rest of the album.

'La Route de Nuit'
This is a lovely ballad, beautifully sung. In this song I find Raphael's voice reminiscent of James Blunt, but his style is so different and the gorgeous French music gives his voice an altogether different flavour.

'Ne Partons Pas Fâchés'
This immediately picks up the pace again, following 'La Route de Nuit'. The song's title means 'do not leave angry' and whilst the content is a little depressing, the song itself is very energetic and upbeat. The electric guitar solo towards the end helps immensely in lifting the song.

'C'est Bon Aujourd'Hui'
As the title suggests, this is a cheerful song extolling the joys of being alive. The lyrics are beautiful and for most of the song Raphael almost seems to recite rather than sing. The tinkling piano provides just the right atmosphere for the song.

'Chanson pour Patrick Dewaere'
This song was written in honour of the French actor, Patrick Dewaere. This may be one of the weakest tracks on the CD, Raphael's voice seems strained for most of the song.

'1900'
The song begins with what many people would think of as 'typically French' music, which seems almost ecclesiastical, then moves into the lyrics of a love song. This is one of the loveliest tracks on the CD and definitely one of my favourites as Raphael's voice is filled with emotion and the music compliments both his voice and lyrics perfectly. The audience seem to agree, as the song receives great applause at the end!

'Schengen'
An almost bouncy song with a great beat and great orchestration. The song is full of great imagery and is very pleasing to listen to.

'Au Temps des Colonies'
Another love song, which Raphael does so well without becoming clichéd or boring. The music is very clean and simple, with no guitars or drums to detract from the lyrics.

'Peut-Être a-t-il Rêvé?'
This is undoubtedly my favourite Raphael song, I don't think any other could take its place. I'm a little biased, then, when I say that it may be the best song on this album. This live version begins simply with piano and vocals, phasing in guitars gently. The vocalisation is slow and almost raw with emotion, telling the story beautifully.

'Les Petits Bateaux'
Yet another lovely song, gentle and filled with beautiful imagery.

'La Ballade du Pauvre'
This is another of my favourites, telling the story of a wanderer on the roads. Utterly beautiful in every way, sung very gently and with minimal accompaniment for the most part.

'Sur la Route'
This was the song that really brought Raphael to fame, released as a duet with Jean-Louis Aubert. Although it has not featured on his studio albums it has a maddeningly familiar sound similar to some of his more recent songs. It's energetic and poetic, definitely a highlight of this album.
It's clearly very popular with the audience, since as it fades out they begin to chant and clap along. This isn't intrusive or annoying as audiences can often be on live albums. Instead it almost seems like a natural part of the song.

'Ceci N'est Pas un Adieu'
This is a slow, sad song with an almost funereal organ accompaniment and haunting echoes to the vocals. It's a lament for things left behind, but also a vow that it's not goodbye forever.

'Caravane'
A stunning and original song, beginning very simply and growing richer and livelier as the song progresses. This is another song that I think sounds better on this live CD than the original studio track.

'Et dans 150 Ans'
The final track is another lovely ballad. The lyrics are at the same time sad and hopeful. It's an uplifting song, reminding us that in 150 years none of our trivial (and not so trivial) cares will no longer matter. It's slow, haunting and Raphael's voice shines in its clarity and emotion. A lovely ending to the CD, leaving the listener wanting more.

I can't express how glad I am that I took the chance and bought this album. The tracks are well selected and arranged so that there aren't too many ballads grouped together. The CD has good energy, great music and gorgeous, poetic lyrics sung beautifully.
The sound quality is fantastic, possibly the best I've heard from a live album in a long time.
Importantly for a live album, although the audience can be heard applauding they never scream over the songs or sing along. I find that to be one of the most irritating and offputting things about live CDs, but there is just one song ('Sur la Route') where they can be heard and as I've said, it seems more like a part of the song than an intrusion.

I imagine that this it will be mostly established fans of Raphael's music who will want to purchase this, as most people don't choose a live album for their first purchase of an artist. To you I will say that I don't think you'll be disappointed and this will probably leave you, as it does me, wanting more.
To any first-time buyers I'd highly recommend 'Caravane' as a great introduction to Raphael, but this live album is worth trying - I'm sure you won't be disappointed either!

Track listing (because I know people like to see them!)

1. Funambule
2. La route de nuit
3. Ne partons pas fâchés
4. C'est bon aujourd'hui
5. Chanson pour Patrick Dewaere
6. 1900
7. Schengen
8. Au temps des colonies
9. Ô Compagnons
10. Peut-être a t'il rêvé
11. Les petits bateaux
12. La ballade du pauvre
13. Sur la route
14. Ceci n'est pas un adieu
15. Caravane
16. Et dans 150 ans 

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