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Posts tagged Bernard Paganotti
Weidorje – Weidorje (1978) (@256)
21 Apr 2010
(Review from progarchives.com)
In 1978, keyboardist Patrick Gauthier and bassist Bernard Paganotti decided to leave Magma and found their own band, Weidorje. Weidorje means “celestial wheel”. This word appears in Magma’s album “Üdü Wüdü” in the form of a short track composed by Paganotti and Blasquiz.
In addition to a guitarist and a drummer, they also recruited a second keyboardist and two horn players to join them in this magnificent project. Their music is quite Zeuhl, featuring throbbing bass, electric piano, and that classic “Zeuhl beat.” However, unlike Magma, the music is not ominous and the vocals are of secondary (perhaps even tertiary) importance.
In Weidorje’s selftitled sole album, Paganotti’s all-powerful bass is by far the dominant instrument. He kicks the distortion one level higher than anyone ever dared to in Magma and puts on one hell of an impressive performance. He drives, pounds, and relentlessly assaults your eardrums. The other musicians are in top form as well, though the drummer seems a bit bland, particularly in comparison to Paganotti’s old rhythm-section partner, Christian Vander.
The compositions themselves are quite good. The music tends to be more upbeat than (post-1001) Magma, and vocals are used only occasionally. The pieces are, as with most music from the French Zeuhl scene, focused on repeated riffs, grooves, and chord progressions with varying melodies. The music is strictly based on what sounds good; there’s no complexity-for-the-sake-of-it to be found here.
In addition to the three tracks from the original LP, this edition features two live bonus tracks of the band performing original compositions which did not make this album. These pieces are actually quite close to the lofty standard set by the songs on the LP. The sound quality is somewhat rough, but the pieces themselves more than make up for it.
Line-up:
- Bernard Paganotti / bass, vocals
- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards
- Michel Ettori / guitar
- Kirt Rust / drums
- Alain Guillard / saxophone
- Yvon Guillard / trumpet, vocals
- Jean-Phillipe Goude / keyboards
Track List:
01. Elohim’s Voyage – 16:33
02. Vilna – 12:20
03. Booldemug – 7:10
04. Rondeau (Bonus Live) – 8:48
05. Kolinda (Bonus Live) – 12:27
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Magma – Retrospektiw III (1981) (@256)
19 Jan 2010
Thanks to Crimson King for the contribution.
(Review from progarchives.com)
The funky bass, tight drumbeats and crazy chatter on this album are instantly infectious. The jamming then ensues. And jam they do. This is actually a very upbeat affair. The selections are three of their most accessible, played with incredible vigor and joy. The band is very tight (as you would expect), and the vocals pristine. They do get a bit dark at times (it is Magma after all), but it is generally positive, and very soulful.
The first one – “Retrovision” – is a side-long “retrospective-medley” from Attahk-album – with some more-gospel-elements.
The second side of this LP includes just another very good version of “Hhai” – including “superlatives”-needing conversations between Didier Lockwood’s violin and Benoit Widemann’s synthesizer with vocal parts are by Christian Vander. For “encore” we have the pleasure to listen one quite short “ballade-like” tune called “”La” Dawotsin” – including only vocal parts, bass guitar, piano and some “fragile” percussion – only compliments for this beauty!
Line-up:
- Christian Vander / drums, piano on (3), vocals on (2)
- Rene Garber / 1st Lieutenant
- Stella Vander / vocals
- Liza Deluxe / vocals
- Maria Popkiewicz / vocals
- Guy Khalifa / vocals (1,3)
- Didier Lockwood / violin
- Jean Luc Chevalier / guitar (1,2), bass on (3)
- Benoit Widemann / keyboards
- Bernard Paganotti / bass (2,3)
- Jean Pierre Fouquey / Fender piano (1,2)
- Francois Laizeau / percussion (1,2)
- Dominique Bertram / bass (1)
Track List:
01. Retrovision – 18:13
02. Hhai – 13:23
03. “La” Dawotsin – 4:12
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Magma – Opera De Reims 1976 (Live) (@320)
18 Nov 2009
(Review from waysidemusic.com, progarchives.com)
Magma live is always a special treat, because they always re-arrange their songs. This has the post-Hhai/Live band performing for nearly 160 minutes. Recorded in the Opera, Reims (France), in 1976, you’ve got everything but great content here — spanning over 3 discs, comprising of 5 pieces.
Line-up:
- Klaus Blasquiz / vocals, percussion
- Stella Vander / vocals
- Didier Lockwood / violin
- Gabriel Federow / guitar
- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards
- Benoit Widemann / keyboards
- Benard Paganotti / bass
- Christian Vander / drums, vocals
Track List:
01. De Futura – 24:32
02. Sons Et Chorus De Batterie – 26:39
03. Kohntarkosz – 33:32
04. Theusz Hamtaahk – 33:35
05. Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh – 42:29
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Magma – Theater Du Taur Concert 1975 Toulouse (Live) (@192)
17 Nov 2009
(Review from progreviews.com)
Theatre du Taur is an official bootleg of Magma recorded in Toulouse on September 24, 1975. This is a companion piece to their Live/Hhai album and another subsequent official boot, Opera de Reims. As it stands, this is a pretty aptly title, as the ‘Taur’ in question is a raging bull in his prime by the name of Christian Vander.
Vander is all the reason you need to justify in picking this one up. Does he muscle his way into the spotlight? Not to detract from the other musicians, who are all in excellent form here, but Vander pretty much is the spotlight on this one, a simply all-encompassing presence throughout these two discs of music that is impossible to ignore. On the one hand, he conveys this sense of being finely attuned to what the other musicians are playing and ready to respond and assimilate, almost to the microsecond. At the same time, he gives the ultimate impression that whatever the hell they are playing is really just incidental and even moreso he is drumming along to the internal score of the music playing away in his head.
Because its set-list duplicates much that is can be found on the obviously much better-sounding Live album, this archival live album tends to fall in the shadow of Opera de Reims in terms of garnering recognition. It’s somewhat a shame, since the performances on this one are arguably more unhinged (one exception being Reims’ “MDK”).
Line-up:
- Klaus Blasquiz / vocals & percussion
- Stella Vander / vocals
- Didier Lockwood / violin
- Gabriel Federow / guitar
- Benoit Widemann / keyboards
- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards
- Bernard Paganotti / bass
- Christian Vander / drums
Track List:
01. Kohntarkosz – 32:29
02. Hhai – 11:19
03. Kobaia – 11:48
04. Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh – 38:16
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Magma – Inedits (Live 1972-75) (@256)
13 Nov 2009
(Review from progarchives.com)
This is an interesting cross section of Magma history, featuring most or all of the definitive zeuhl musicians, sadly slightly marred by murky live recording.
“Opus 3″ sets the standard with its cosmic electric keys and jazzy zeuhl rock variations with Jannick Top doing an extended bass solo, so this is obviously a required recording for maniacal born-again Kobaians. Although these songs were performed between 1972-75, they all remind strongly of the main “Kohntarkosz” theme, what with steady yet subtle rhythm work holding around one chord and those unique funeral jazz moments. It’s been said that Kohntarkosz Anteria was written in 1972 and indeed, memorable snatches of the epic do appear on Inedits.
A definite highlight, “Om Zanka” is flowing piece of 7/8 jazz mood management with Vander soloing against the amazing Benoit Widemann, and neither buries the other. Frustratingly, the quality of the production is most punishing here. Once the duel is over (assumedly called as a draw owing to exhaustion) the traditional Kobaian choirs enter to weave in and out of Lockwood’s violin melodies. It’s stunning and frankly over far too quickly.
If you are under Magma’s spell, don’t disregard Inedits merely because it’s not studio work. Magma fanatics should head here because it’ll help them to come to terms with bootleg quality, and to put names to the songs on the ones they’ve already heard!
Line-up:
- Gerard Bikialko / keyboards (1,2,4,6)
- Micky Grailler / keyboards (1,2,4)
- Benoit Widemann / keyboards (3)
- Francois Cahen / keyboards (5)
- Jean Luc Manderlier / keyboards (5,6)
- Francis Moze / bass (5)
- Jean-Pierre Lambert / bass (6)
- Janik Top / bass (1,2,4)
- Bernard Paganotti / bass (3)
- Claude Olmos / guitar (1,4)
- Marc Fosset / guitar (6)
- Gabriel Federow / guitar (3)
- Didier Lockwood / violin (3)
- Klaus Basquiz / vocals & percussion
- Rene Garber / vocals, bass clarinet (5,6)
- Teddy Lasry / saxes (5)
- Jeff Seffer / saxes (5)
- Louis Toesca / trumpet (5)
- Christian Vander / drums
Track List:
01. Sowiloi+KMX-EXII-Opus3 – 13:47
02. KMX-BXII-Opus7 – 6:20
03. Om Zankaa – 5:37
04. Gamma – 4:10
05. Terrien Si Je T’ai Convoque – 4:03
06. Gamma Anteria – 7:58
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Magma – Theusz Hamtaakh – La Trilogie Au Trianon (Live 2001) (@256)
11 Nov 2009
(Review from allmusic)
Magma celebrated their 30th anniversary with two Paris shows, May 13 and 14, 2000. Of course, there was no better way to commemorate the occasion than performances of leader Christian Vander’s most hallowed work, the Theusz Hamtaahk trilogy.
Comprised of the title suite, “Wurdah Itah,” and “Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh” (each movement occupies its own disc), this massive piece details a battle of the planets wherein the people of Earth travel to a planet called Kobaia and back again, all in the name of peace and self-purification.
This live album represents yet another chapter for the vital band. Particularly spectacular are guitarist James MacGaw and bassist Philippe Bussonnet, who join the ranks of the best musicians to ever have played with the group.
From the aggressive opening strains of “Theusz Hamtaahk”, with deft choral phrases and heavily accented percussion, to the episodic, head-spinning cut and chase of the middle movement, to the incredible avant-fusion break in “Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh”, this performance of the trilogy highlights all of the reasons Magma fans are such a devoted lot. Where a more traditional progressive band might emphasize the purely whimsical or capricious, Magma’s best music (as evidenced here) is literally of another world. There are arguably better performances of the individual movements elsewhere, but as a collection, the Trilogie au Trianon is practically indispensable for Magma fans.
Line-up:
- Christian Vander / drums & vocals
- Klaus Basquiz / vocals & percussion
- Bernard Paganotti / bass
- Benoit Widemann / keyboards
- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards
- Gabriel Federow / guitar
- Didier Lockwood / violin
- Stella Vander / vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Malawelekaahm – 6:28
02. Sewolahwehn ohn Zain – 6:42
03. Deumb leweless dolehn – 3:52
04. Zeuhl Wortz – 2:28
05. Gorutz Waahrn – 3:15
06. Tu lu li le ui du wii – 1:08
07. Se lah Maahri Donsai – 2:31
08. Slibenli deh Theusz – 5:21
09. Zortsung – 3:09
CD2
01. Malawelekaahm – 4:21
02. Bradia da zimehn iegah – 2:35
03. Maneh fur da Zess – 1:42
04. Fur di Hel Kobaia – 5:38
05. Blum tendiwa – 5:49
06. Wohlsunt mlem seweless – 3:08
07. Wainsaht!!! – 3:11
08. Wlasik steuhn Kobaia – 2:44
09. Sehnnteht dros wurdah sums – 6:00
10. C’est la vie qui les a menes la! – 4:32
11. Ek sun da Zess – 2:37
12. Se Zeuhl undazir – 6:11
CD3
01. Hortz fur dehn Stekehn West – 10:17
02. Imah suri Dondai – 4:13
03. Kobaia iss deh hundin – 2:07
04. Da Zeuhl Wortz Mekanik – 7:20
05. Nebehr Gudahtt – 7:39
06. Mekanik Kommandoh – 8:05
07. Kreuhn Kohrmahn iss deh hundin – 1:30
08. Da Zeuhl Wortz wainsaht (hymne de la Zeuhl Wortz) – 1:53
09. (unnamed final track) – 5:41
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Magma – Retrospektiw I-II (1981) (@256)
08 Nov 2009
(Review from progreviews.com)
After disbanding for several years, Magma held three concerts in June of 1980 at the Olympia in Paris. This two-disc set is a testament to those concerts, which reunited nearly everybody who appears on Magma’s Live/Hhai album of five years before.
The self-titled movement of the “Theusz Hamtaahk” trilogy had never (at that time) been on any of their recordings until this one. The piece is a wicked repetitive Jaws-like rhythm which cyclically increases and decreases in intensity. At about 12 minutes into the piece, it shifts into a metronome beat pattern overlaid with dreamy, stream-of-thought synths that are very unusual for Magma. This too gradually increases in intensity, until it reaches a powerful plateau of strong male and female choir chanting. The next section starts back at the original hypno-rhythm for a few minutes, and then breaks back into the metronome rhythm, this time with some utterly bizarre sci-fi soundtrack buzzings and whirlings, and a single sustained flying saucer keyboard line. This intensifies again, and then a lighthearted fusion part, then a march with pompous ELP-like keys, and then a pretty lull with fluttering harp sounds and calm chanting. Again there is a repeat of the intense theme, with ominous choir, and the finale, with explosions of weird sound effects.
The second disc features a live version of the MDK album. The first half of it sticks fairly close to the studio version. About midway through the disc there’s a break (I’m guessing it’s where the original vinyl changed sides). When the music returns, we find ourselves in the middle of a monstrous bass solo which leads into a high power, high speed fusion similar to the MDK excerpt on the Live/Hhai album. Some very impressive work here from the bass, keys, guitar, vocals and violin.
Line-up:
- Christian Vander / drums, keyboards, vocals
- Klaus Blasquiz / vocals
- Stella Vander / vocals
- Liza Deluxe / vocals
- Didier Lockwood / violin
- Gabriel Federow / guitar
- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards
- Benoit Widemann / keyboards
- Bernard Paganotti / bass
- Claire Laborde / vocals (2)
- Maria Popkiewicz / vocals (2)
- Jean-Luc Chevalier / guitar (2)
Track List:
CD1
01. Theusz Hamtaahk – 36:04
CD2
01. Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh (3eme Mouvement De Theusz Hamtaahk) – 40:04
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Magma – Udu Wudu (1976) (@256)
05 Nov 2007
(Review from progressiveears.com, progreviews.com)
Biting at the heels of its highly praised Magma-Live, the band finds itself trying something very different on Üdü Wüdü for the most part. That first thing being shorter songs with nearly singable melodies. Secondly, synthesizers are introduced into the band’s sonic palette for the first time. The production quality however returns to the dark, murky sound of earlier albums. Vander relinquished some control over the group for this album, only writing about half the music.
The album’s title cut, “Udu Wudu” is the most shocking, mainly for the fact it’s so blasted happy and festive sounding, quite un-Magma-like for certain, but somehow oddly engaging, with it’s Brazilian samba rhythm and huge vocal choruses.
However, the happy-slappy vibe of the title cut is short lived when the band returns to what it does best, spinning tales of life on Kobaia and all its uncertainties, underscored by manic drumming, funky and menacing fuzz bass, lots of horns and those semi-operatic vocal choruses.
“De Futura” is an 18-minute, funky tour-de-force from Jannick Top. This piece practically invents today’s metal-zeuhl scene (a la groups like Happy Family and Ruins) with its crushing bass and heavy, syncopated drums. That is not to say that it’s chaotic or disjunct, but there is definitely a primal aggression at work here that Magma rarely approached. Fierce and fun.
Line-up:
- Christian Vander / percussion, vocals, piano, keyboards, drums
- Jannik Top / bass, Brass arrangements, vocals, synthesizer
- Klaus Blasquiz / vocals
with
- Stella Vander / vocals
- “Lisa” / vocals
- Lucille Cullaz / vocals
- Catherine Szpira / vocals
- Pierre Dutour / trumpet
- Alain Hatot / saxophone, flutes
- Bernard Paganotti / bass, vocals, percussion
- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards
- Michel Graillier / keyboards
- Benoît Widemann / keyboards
Track List:
01. Üdü Wüdü (4:10)
02. Weidorje (4:30)
03. Troller Tanz (Ghost Dance) (3:40)
04. Soleil d’Ork (ORK’ Sun) (3:50)
05. Zombies (Ghost Dance) (4:10)
06. De Futura (18:00)
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