Search - Gérard Lesne :: Mad Lesne

Whatever You Want, Gerard!

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 11/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marcher droit, respecter les lois des marchands de sable,

Jeux d'humains, jeux de vilains...



That's the refrain from the song Jeux d'Humains, text (I think) and music by Gerard Lesne, recorded in France in 1995, though this release is from Japan, with the song texts only in French and japanese.



Gerard Lesne is my favorite male alto, specializing in the repertoires of French and Italian Baroque cantatas and oratorios, though he has also recorded works of Renaissance polyphony with many of the most skilled choral ensembles of Europe. He has given me so many hours of musical pleasure that I'd indulge any whimsy he might have, to sing whatever he wants, from country music to Samii yodels to muezzin calls to prayer... even Bennett ballads or Bocelli bellows, since whatever it is, I'm sure Lesne can sing it more expressively.



Still, I have to say that this is weird stuff, this 45-minute recording of Lesne, backed up by electric guitars, saxophone, synthesizers, strings and drums. It makes me nervous to hear him do things with his golden voice that sound as if they might rupture his tonsils. I have NO idea whether anyone in the world would honestly enjoy this CD; I've given it 5 stars merely out of gratitude and respect for a great musician. What genre of pop or jazz is it? Ah cain't rightly say. It ain't nothin ah listen to on a reg'lar basis."