Chardeau, JJ: Ombres And Lumières - In Terra Cognita 2

The second part of JJ Chardeau’s rock opera, Magical Musical Man is a remarkably star studded affair, guest appearances from Danny Seraphine and Jason Schef (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu), John Jorgensen (Hellcasters), Francis, Christian and Tristan Decamps (Ange), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Eric Troyer (ELO) and Dave Gregory (INXS) all adding their undoubted skills to this project. As you’ll gather from that assembled, eclectic cast, this is not an album that operates in straight lines and hence tying down what’s been crafted here is pleasingly and yet frustratingly difficult. I say pleasing because I’m all for artists not just playing to type and delivering a set of songs that clone each other, but here we seem to run the gamut of fusion, progressive rock, hard rock, smooth pop, traditional Greek music and much more. So much so in fact that it can all become something of a blur. At this stage it’s worth highlighting that it’s also clear that this project and album weren’t just thrown together, the sound and production is excellent, the performances are spot on and the CD packaging is really quite stunning as it ties in with the album’s Western European journey theme. Following that story as we surge into and out of English lyrics proves a tough ask, but again, there’s no doubting the craft at play.

Grand and bold in intention, it’s those very aspects that also find this album stumbling and losing momentum, the feel that the tone that’s been built is more a vehicle for the concept than it is to provide a smooth, engaging musical journey difficult to shake off. The herky-jerky, jazz one minute, Brian May guitar howls the next of “Swing Heil� is impressive and yet in a way that never quite pays off. The album is also long, causing the Mike Oldfield sounding “Cliche Suisse� to drag, while the Greek flick and kick of “Edossa Fakelaki�, which closes the album out is just a step too far. That there are seriously impressive classical or progressive pieces such as “Scandinavia� or “Donibane Lohitzun� makes the wide side steps from the core aspect of the album all the more frustrating.

Impressive and in ways immersive, what’s been constructed here couldn’t come from the hands of an unskilled musician. However, skill alone does not make for an engaging journey and that, for me, is the case as JJ Chardeau drags us across Europe in maybe almost too literal a style.

Track Listing
1. Donibane Lohitzue

2. Eire

3. Iceland & Fire

4. Scandinavia

5. Sur Le Dam

6. Over The Channel

7. Belux Concerto

8. Swing Heil

9. Tyrol Canon Snow Dance

10. Cliché Suisse

11. Lisbonne is Dying

12. Reconquista

13. Seborga

14. Edossa Fakelaki

Added: March 20th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: JJ Chardeau @ Cherry Red
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Language: english

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