Mr. Andrew J. Hitchcock | Solihull, UK | 05/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This guy is great! I heard Sarbacane in 1989 while in France and hassled a woman in a burger van till she told me who he was. His hit tune at the time was 'C'est Ecrit' - a monster! In fact such a monster that I re-wrote the words and recorded an English language version four years later. I don't understand anything of what he's singing (it's non-textbook vernacular French) but the energy is palpable, the melodies are fabulous and I can't believe there are only a handful of people outside France who are into him. Of course, he's sold 1.6 million copies of this album so he's by no means obscure, but it's a crying shame that because he's French he's confined to other French speaking areas of the world. Now if I could get my version of 'C'est Ecrit' - now retitled 'Remember?' - released, who knows? If you've thought French music was all Eurovision bing-tiddle-tiddle-bong, give this guy a listen, he's bound to change your mind!"
Francis Cabrel's best
S. Kahn | San Francisco, CA | 11/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have all of Cabrel's CDs ... from his first ("Les Murs de Poussiere") to his last ("Double Tour", his live 3-CD set released last month 10/2000) ... so I can say with confidence that with the exception of his two live 3-CD sets ("D'une ombre à l'autre" and "Double Tour") "Sarbacane" is his best and most consistent album. All of the songs are of equal quality. Not one song is lacking, so it is a pleasure to listen each and every song on the entire CD. Each song has its own unique sound. It's not one of those CDs where you end up thinking all the songs sound alike. Though I have to admit that my favorites are "C'est écrit", "Sarbacane", and "Animal".I wholeheartedly recommend "Sarbacane" for a first time buyer, followed by his easily accessible best-of "Cabrel 1977-1987". If you're a more serious fan, do not hesitate to make the effort to seek out his live 3-CD sets, "D'une ombre à l'autre" and "Double Tour"."
A master's masterpiece
Paul | New Jersey | 05/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This guy is so great that it almost seems unfair to single out any one album or any one song. His list of awesome songs seems endless. But assuming you won't buy his entire life's work at one shot, try Sarbacane for a starter - if it's not his best single effort it's damn close, and certainly the one that really made him a superstar in France. Great tracks include Animal, the beautiful ballad C'est Ecrit, the title track Sarbacane (which means Blow-gun), Le Pas des Ballerines - hey wait a minute I'm listing everything.... If you're a Jackson Browne fan you'll enjoy putting Cabrel's rendition of Rosie next to the Jackson Browne original - it might be even better!"
A dylanesque run of Masterpieces
Steven Karmi | Jerusalem, Israel | 06/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Simply put, Francis Cabrel's last four studio records are all masterpieces, a run of great music that reminds one of Dylan 64-68 or Van Morrison 69-74. (Granted Cabrel hasn't been as prolific during his current period of artistic greatness, releasing these records over a 14 year stretch. But he's an older, more mature man than were Dylan or Morrison in their first creative peaks.) "Sarbacane" is the first recording in this run, and I would say it is NOT the place to start if you are just being introduced to Monsieur Cabrel. This record, while tremendous, is not at the same level in terms of overall musicianship and production as the three that followed. A bit too much reliance on synthesizers/keyboards and too much polish in the final mixes. You will certainly come to this record and love it on its merits. But I would start with either "Samedi Soir sur la Terre" or "Hors-Saison," then move to "Sarbacane" and "Les Beaux Degats" as well as the most recent concert recordings. Congratulations on finding your way to one of the truly great artists recording over the past 25 years!"