Review
Publication date : Wednesday, June 29th 2005 - 286 310 views
Livin'Soul at the Nouveau Casino
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Livin'Soul played the Nouveau Casino last week for a first concert in Paris. Reggaefrance, which has followed the band from the start, had to be there. No disappointment: Livin'Soul is indeed a safe bet. You can't say the fans turned out in droves but... those who stayed away are always wrong.
So it was with great enthusiasm that we made our way to the Nouveau Casino, a venue where reggae concerts are rare. We are early, so we stop at the bar next door. At the counter, Arthur (guitarist) and Paul (drums). A chance for them to tell us about their soft spot for N'Zela, a Paris band with an afro-reggae bent, whom they met in Poitou. N'Zela, who have just released their first album, delivered a very energetic performance tonight, helped at the end of the set by Winston McAnuff, guest of honour. A good start.
Livin'Soul come on stage to the applause of a very mixed crowd, sparse but motivated. "Good evening, let me introduce us, we're called Livin'Soul." Two clicks of the sticks and Ladies kicks off. The tunes played tonight will mostly come from their second album "As A Spring" (April 2005). The Nouveau Casino is not used to reggae and it takes three songs to get a decent mix. Before starting Mango, Sébastien Daugas (singer) explains the story of the song. While you can't say 'Seb' is a showman, you have to admit he has the great quality of being fully immersed in what he does. The surprise of the night: a rocksteady adaptation of Proud Mary, the rock classic by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The riddim is precise and airy. From the start to the end of the concert, the execution is impeccable and everyone plays their part, staying faithful to the album versions.
For example, Hugo reproduces the tenor chorus on Hey note for note.
The atmosphere goes up a notch. Livin'Soul's music is having its effect and everyone is smiling. We know the album, and the songs are of high quality. Tonight we notice That's all, whose bass line could have been written by Familyman himself, and Cool Down with its JB's-style accents.
The creative side
Livin'Soul let their music breathe, increasingly mastering the Jamaican repertoire of the 60s and 70s. You can sense a certain complicity between the musicians, although all of them remain very focused. The setlist does not forget Back Out, the album's first track, which they link tonight to a more soulful tune. The band withdraws at the end of this 13th song, leaving an audience wanting more. Just Tone is played for the encore, and Livin Soul end their concert in a calm, well-behaved atmosphere.
It is 10.45 pm; we would have had time to hear Winston McAnuff backed by Livin'Soul, perhaps next time. A good concert nonetheless, impressive for the quality of the backing vocals (keyboards + rhythm guitar), the rigour of the rhythm section and the voice of the lead. The band seems to be reproducing a music, when it is obvious that the creative side is enormous. An inspired sound, certainly, but authentic in a way rarely heard in France. A studio band above all, Livin'Soul has passed the test of the stage with flying colours.
Report written by Maxime Nordez.
Photos réalisées par Karl Joseph
Tags : Livin' Soul (5)
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