Review of Gabriel Yacoub : The Simple Things We Said
it is a collection of songs, including 4 in english, old & new, plus some previously unreleased. the album is all acoustic

the project allowed gabriel to review some of the arrangements for songs that had been released on various of his previous albums

the songs are:

the simple things we said is the english version of les choses les plus simples (bel 1990)

the song had been translated by ellen hinsey, assisted by nikki matheson & gabriel, after dave van ronk asked for his project to all my friends in far-flung places (gazell 1994) this is a double album that gathers songs he likes, written by the such as bob dylan, joni mitchell, paul simon, tom paxton, & more

it seems that the song is to the like of some anglophone artists it has been sung before by june tabor & joan baez (in french), on the european release of gone from danger (virgin 1997)

dame : petite dame new song, also featured on : yacoub : this is a different version

le jeu des grillons / je serai ta lune new versions these 2 were on bel, and remained some of gabriel's favorite for live performances

le garçon jardinier is a traditional song from le berry. it previously was on malicorne's second album (hexagone 1975) it remained in gabriel's repertoire since then

mes belles anciennes compagnes. it's a new song & a fake autobiography. it also appears on : yacoub : this time again, it is a different version gabriel played with some rare & precious words

letter from america the song appeared on the quatre album.

désir is from babel, with sweet harmonies by kate & anna mcgariggle

ces dieux-là this is an acoustic version of the song featured on quatre

beauté / 12th song of the thunder different acoustic version of the one featured on quatre gabriel sings in english the part that had been originally recorded by nikki matheson & paul brady

les choses les plus simples this is an unusual, minimal version, of this standard yannick hardouin plays the fender rhodes

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Your latest reviews - Gabriel Yacoub : Masterpiece! Best solo work of a most inventive artist!
Gabriel Yacoub has always amazed people with his mastery of haunting emotion. Since his early days with Alan Stivell, through the years with his group Malicorne, he has always pushed the boundaries of unique and inventive stylizations. Daringness performed with evocative nuance. His music ranges from ancient craggy vocalizations and instrumentations to modern and avant garde, and sometimes all of those elements mixed. It is difficult to describe how that can work musically, but it does. Definately French, never cliche. A few of his recordings, either solo or with Malicorne are mixed bags, but even these have gems on them. Try any of the Malicorne recordings if you can find them.

"BEL" is, in my opinion, his finest solo work. Beginning with a slow song of romantic melancholy, it has an ancient yet contemporary sound. My two favorite songs are 'Je Pense A Toi' and 'Words.' The first is a simple contemporary acoustic/vocal arrangement expressing his 'irrational love of New York City.' The first time my wife heard the refrain her face became flushed and she exlaimed, 'That is so rich!' She is in love with 'Words.' Transporting is how she describes it. It has a craggy ancient/contemporary sound with rich sonorous vocalizations. More a chant than a melody. Can't be described. Has to be experienced. If you are looking for muzak or pop go somewhere else!