Marcel Kanche
Juillet 94

Marcel Kanche - Juillet 94 (10H10 2018)

Genre: Singer-songwriter

Although he is a legend in France, Marcel Kanche remains quite unknown in our parts. A reserved and discreet character, he lives in a former pastoral house in Central France with his family, away from the spotlight. A singer-songwriter poet with a unique, dark universe on the fringes of experimental rock, whispered and atmospheric, with jazz nuances.

His songs, often rough and edgy, speak of love, of searching and wandering. Sparse and essential music underscores his bitter vein. His voice, deep and unique, spoken-sung, appears threatening and comforting.

No longer young (born in '54) with about fifteen productions, numerous stage experiences, sounds and colors, he now has many stories behind him.

There is something of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits in his world. There are the intense colors of the Poitou countryside where he finds refuge and inspiration.

JUILLET 94, is his latest album, a surprising project open to original sounds, a meeting point between rock, punk, and free jazz.

The dense and inspired lyrics (written in July 1994, published in 2005, lost by the publisher during a flood, and eventually found by the author himself during a move) speak to us of a man in direct contact with (his) nature, lead us to the plateaus of the Alps ("Cornettes de bis"), under the steep chalky cliffs ("Dieppe"), and tell strange stories of insects and leeks ("Ainsi couronné"). True poetry, the words are musical yet highly evocative.

To accompany his voice and guitar, he calls upon two excellent musicians: Bruno TOCANNE on drums and Fred ROUDET on trumpet, flugelhorn, and effects. The blend is perfect, often the trumpet soars high ("Le Mont de Grange") and the rhythm is powerful ("Abondance").

Marcel Kanche seeks, and finds, a sound that emerges from deep within him and establishes a connection with our inner selves. Poetic emotion!

Get yourself this album and, if possible, some of the earlier ones as well, but be careful, you might not listen to anything else for quite some time.