Noel Akchote - Toi-Meme (Yourself)

A well-considered starting point: Noël Akchoté invites world-class musicians to Paris. People who create their own musical world, have found a personal style, and yet enjoy an interactive exchange.

So if a large-scale version of Kevin Blechdom does a medley from their opera "Recantata" or Otto Lechner introduces a whiff of jazzy Vienna alongside Han Bennink and Brad Jones, that opens up a broad spectrum.

Musicians, some of whom have never met before, come together, but keep their sense of self. Each song stems from introspection, but playing together creates frictions, and something new emerges, a bit like an uncut diamond.

Even the performance venue, La Dynamo, embodies this social impulse: the central office of the music festival Banlieues Bleues (it takes place at venues in several Parisian suburbs, or "banlieues") provides everything, including rehearsal and performance locations, to ensure that both musicians and the public can feel part of a community.

Ultimately, the night is there for the audience to detach from their daily professional life, and enter into this evening society, each one of them as themselves.

The fact that even bars in the neighbourhood resounded to specially invited DJs like Sebastian Reier guarantees an added ambient attraction. The real key is this: this atmosphere of industrious creativity could be encapsulated on this sonic document without wisps of conversation from the bars disturbing the splendid flood of sound; rather, the way they slip in and out of the songs is proof of a productive working, discursive culture.

The songs arise from intimate personal experience, and not being tried out at length, they share a certain fragility. That’s just why they emit a glittering aura. The origin of the participants wasn't at all important, and the intention to create a little bit of chaos is evident.

One is listening in on a socio-musical process that works like a cinematic document, at film-length (78 mins.)

Set out on a journey of discovery, and you'll be delighted by this diversity. ... from John Giorno's fiery spoken-word eulogy "Thanx 4 Nothing", congenially accompanied by Noël Akchoté, to the highly intense duos featuring Han Bennink and Jean-Louis Costes.

Further explosive remakes include Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" and "C'est Extra" by Léo Ferré. And did you know that the Dutchman Han Bennink, famous as a free improviser, who beats his drums of both these classics, was once the percussionist for both Marvin Gaye and Jacques Brel?

Thanks to the cavernous voice of Fritz Ostermayer, in conjunction with Kevin Blechdom, Laetitia Shériff and Red, the splendid ensemble playing in the Daniel Johnston cover version "True Love will Find You In The End" lets a grand nod towards pop shine through.
This sound film lasts all evening!


– Alfred Pranzl (Translation: Richard Toop)