Comments on: Jean-Michel Jarre performs Oxygene live in Dublin, 18th March 2008 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/ John Breslin's Blog Fri, 16 May 2008 16:15:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Ade http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-491246 Ade Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:03:40 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-491246 <p>Simon,<br /> I’m glad you have enjoyed the spectacular Jarre concerts before this current tour. However, I’m guessing you have totally missed the point of these gigs. they are 100% LIVE played with 30+ year old synths. I have seen 6 previous Jarre gigs, Docklands, La Defense etc. and I was under no illusions that they were pre-recorded with only a small amount of live stuff. These gigs are the real deal of electronic music, nothing pre-recorded, all playing live, mistakes etc. The light show is meant to be low key, the emphasis is on the music, and I would be surprised if you ever see some of the synths again, and never in the quantity Jarre had on stage. I would love a MemoryMoog, but at £3k it’s never gonna happen, just a MiniMoog would do, about £1500 and there were 3 there! I would love an Equinoxe 30th too - but I don’t think it’s gonna happen…</p> <p>Ade</p> Simon,
I’m glad you have enjoyed the spectacular Jarre concerts before this current tour. However, I’m guessing you have totally missed the point of these gigs. they are 100% LIVE played with 30+ year old synths. I have seen 6 previous Jarre gigs, Docklands, La Defense etc. and I was under no illusions that they were pre-recorded with only a small amount of live stuff. These gigs are the real deal of electronic music, nothing pre-recorded, all playing live, mistakes etc. The light show is meant to be low key, the emphasis is on the music, and I would be surprised if you ever see some of the synths again, and never in the quantity Jarre had on stage. I would love a MemoryMoog, but at £3k it’s never gonna happen, just a MiniMoog would do, about £1500 and there were 3 there! I would love an Equinoxe 30th too - but I don’t think it’s gonna happen…

Ade

]]> By: Stewart Bourke http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-484824 Stewart Bourke Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:13:49 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-484824 <p>Simon,</p> <p>I think you may have missed the point about the concerts. I was at both nights - two very different concerts in terms of atmosphere. </p> <p>I was pleased that the concerts were more about the music than the show. There is no doubt the big outdoor events he has done over the years have been spectacular presentations, but as far as I am concerned this tours is all about going back to the roots. For me the mirror was an excellent prop. We rarely get to see what goes on on the stage - unless cameras are present - and to be able to watch that they other guys were playing was excellent.</p> <p>All I can say is that I would dearly love to see an ‘Equinox-30′ tour…</p> <p>Stewart Bourke</p> Simon,

I think you may have missed the point about the concerts. I was at both nights - two very different concerts in terms of atmosphere.

I was pleased that the concerts were more about the music than the show. There is no doubt the big outdoor events he has done over the years have been spectacular presentations, but as far as I am concerned this tours is all about going back to the roots. For me the mirror was an excellent prop. We rarely get to see what goes on on the stage - unless cameras are present - and to be able to watch that they other guys were playing was excellent.

All I can say is that I would dearly love to see an ‘Equinox-30′ tour…

Stewart Bourke

]]> By: Simon Smith http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-480552 Simon Smith Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:29:18 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-480552 <p>Hi,</p> <p>I saw JMJ play at the Royal Albert Hall last night. Well, the main review at the top of this page is correct. And he said many similar things.</p> <p>I too am a lifetime fan of JMJ, but I was greatly disappointed. I was expected a laser and light show, with some great tunes. </p> <p>The threatical side of the show was rubbish, a mirror with some backlightning, rubbish, and the performance was rather boring. While most of the crowd there semi-enjoying themselves, I did think it was rather like the emperor’s new clothes sydrome. </p> <p>Simon</p> Hi,

I saw JMJ play at the Royal Albert Hall last night. Well, the main review at the top of this page is correct. And he said many similar things.

I too am a lifetime fan of JMJ, but I was greatly disappointed. I was expected a laser and light show, with some great tunes.

The threatical side of the show was rubbish, a mirror with some backlightning, rubbish, and the performance was rather boring. While most of the crowd there semi-enjoying themselves, I did think it was rather like the emperor’s new clothes sydrome.

Simon

]]> By: Mary Connell http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473797 Mary Connell Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:35:04 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473797 <p>I gave out to an usher for disturbing me during the performance. Four times she had to tell someone to put the camera away. I did apologise to her after and she said “no I’m so sorry” only doing their job I suppose. I never thought I would be so absorbed in such complete concentration that I would be upset by the distraction around me. </p> <p>I got to sit in the front row so I had no people in my view to break the moment but it wasn’t until the mirrors came down that I could see almost enough, in reverse. The acoustics in the hall were perfect. </p> <p>I frequented the National Concert hall as a teen totally absorbed in the instruments. I always would try to follow the sounds from instrument to instrument but this was so multi layered I found it hard at times to deconstruct the complex sounds of these perhaps now rare almost forgotten instruments on the verge of rediscovery. I seemed to be creating a story in my head throughout. I felt like a child again in an awe like state like witnessing a miracle. </p> <p>Four scientists turning back the earths clock from deep within its crust. Lighting lay out a time log….from AM to PM. Darkness to dawn to daylight to dusk to night. Sound like a blackbirds chorus echoing backwards, the wash of waves over sand, downward spiralling notes, slowing to a stop, intense moods. Electronic atomic altering. Bees, birds. Extinction, dieing, hopeless helpless sadness. Approaching sounds of spaceships. Land. As though to prepare the men for work, a dieing earth calls for help, at the end of part one and beginning of part two. The story unfolds as preparations are made. The excitement in the opening of the day this is a new day, a day that they rebuild the planet. Our call for help was heard. Uplifting beat and melody suggesting a chance for life. With nature in the hands of these men the miracle begins. Their beat, melody entering all the power the instruments need to heal and restore life again. Great care and concentration is taken with eyes fixed. Alien Chatter heard throughout the day mid track there’s a mood change the final communication is made. Part 3 starts Seriously. All data needed is entered, now a different level of concentration is required. After a few deep breaths Work starts to fix the earth. Its engines are powered up by external life force all mentoring has ended, the earth cries out its needs to the consoling listener lays it to rest then quietly began work. Part 4 we hear them turn the tides of time to mend with gentle masculine touch on a feminine body. Confident and precise work set the tone. They enjoyed their work without stress or struggle we could see the mental process of these men working with seemingly extraterrestrial power through the daylight hours. Keeping time together, listening to one another. Glances to and fro aware of the others the musicians use body language to communicate. Each sound in time with the other.<br /> Entering Part 5 work stops and goodbyes are communicated as we hear a departure. Help is no longer required.<br /> Electronic Organ notes soothing, gentle waking. Strength slowly returning to the earth in its twilight it rose again. Healing and growing in time like the spring after winter. Rhythm of the heart and the pumping of blood into the surface supporting life, dusk turns to night and the excited dance beat sounds a melody of great growth. Healing and renewal. Waves like the earths breath again takes a steady rhythm in Part 6, time to relax, enjoy, listen to the echo of the birds and the beat of life again in the night, worry over, we can enjoy our beautiful planet and all its sounds. The men have saved our only earth. The great life we are killing has some time left. Be at peace now and listen to the waves.</p> <p>As they played the sounds of Oxygene, I became calm at the thought of our sick planet in the hands of these space men and their other worldly sounds twigging controls and switches. Reversing and finely tuning the delicate balance of the earths atmosphere. Work ceased, waves sounded calmly, rest easy, work was done the heart beat strong and steady the earth seemed okay. Forward replay recreated time and hope was restored crashing waves and the nightly echo of birds in the distance it was time to rejoice at the recreation of our home, clean and perfect once again. I hoped more people would be touched in the same way. I wondered what Jean Michel Jarre’s written story would tell of all these sounds. Have I understood you at all Jean. I was so amazed how the piece spoke to me as I worry about our future and it’s delicately, finely tuned atmosphere. Hurry people time is running out, we have no magic to fix the earth but we do have music perhaps to inspire us reduce our carbon footprints on the earth. </p> <p>Almost 40 years to get to this point and time seems to have stood still for this stunningly attractive 59 year old. I find myself now listening to both versions simultaneously, the recording re-released and the original to compare. I completely left out the variations and prelude because I need more time on them. Please enlighten me if you think this is not what I was supposed to take from this work.</p> I gave out to an usher for disturbing me during the performance. Four times she had to tell someone to put the camera away. I did apologise to her after and she said “no I’m so sorry” only doing their job I suppose. I never thought I would be so absorbed in such complete concentration that I would be upset by the distraction around me.

I got to sit in the front row so I had no people in my view to break the moment but it wasn’t until the mirrors came down that I could see almost enough, in reverse. The acoustics in the hall were perfect.

I frequented the National Concert hall as a teen totally absorbed in the instruments. I always would try to follow the sounds from instrument to instrument but this was so multi layered I found it hard at times to deconstruct the complex sounds of these perhaps now rare almost forgotten instruments on the verge of rediscovery. I seemed to be creating a story in my head throughout. I felt like a child again in an awe like state like witnessing a miracle.

Four scientists turning back the earths clock from deep within its crust. Lighting lay out a time log….from AM to PM. Darkness to dawn to daylight to dusk to night. Sound like a blackbirds chorus echoing backwards, the wash of waves over sand, downward spiralling notes, slowing to a stop, intense moods. Electronic atomic altering. Bees, birds. Extinction, dieing, hopeless helpless sadness. Approaching sounds of spaceships. Land. As though to prepare the men for work, a dieing earth calls for help, at the end of part one and beginning of part two. The story unfolds as preparations are made. The excitement in the opening of the day this is a new day, a day that they rebuild the planet. Our call for help was heard. Uplifting beat and melody suggesting a chance for life. With nature in the hands of these men the miracle begins. Their beat, melody entering all the power the instruments need to heal and restore life again. Great care and concentration is taken with eyes fixed. Alien Chatter heard throughout the day mid track there’s a mood change the final communication is made. Part 3 starts Seriously. All data needed is entered, now a different level of concentration is required. After a few deep breaths Work starts to fix the earth. Its engines are powered up by external life force all mentoring has ended, the earth cries out its needs to the consoling listener lays it to rest then quietly began work. Part 4 we hear them turn the tides of time to mend with gentle masculine touch on a feminine body. Confident and precise work set the tone. They enjoyed their work without stress or struggle we could see the mental process of these men working with seemingly extraterrestrial power through the daylight hours. Keeping time together, listening to one another. Glances to and fro aware of the others the musicians use body language to communicate. Each sound in time with the other.
Entering Part 5 work stops and goodbyes are communicated as we hear a departure. Help is no longer required.
Electronic Organ notes soothing, gentle waking. Strength slowly returning to the earth in its twilight it rose again. Healing and growing in time like the spring after winter. Rhythm of the heart and the pumping of blood into the surface supporting life, dusk turns to night and the excited dance beat sounds a melody of great growth. Healing and renewal. Waves like the earths breath again takes a steady rhythm in Part 6, time to relax, enjoy, listen to the echo of the birds and the beat of life again in the night, worry over, we can enjoy our beautiful planet and all its sounds. The men have saved our only earth. The great life we are killing has some time left. Be at peace now and listen to the waves.

As they played the sounds of Oxygene, I became calm at the thought of our sick planet in the hands of these space men and their other worldly sounds twigging controls and switches. Reversing and finely tuning the delicate balance of the earths atmosphere. Work ceased, waves sounded calmly, rest easy, work was done the heart beat strong and steady the earth seemed okay. Forward replay recreated time and hope was restored crashing waves and the nightly echo of birds in the distance it was time to rejoice at the recreation of our home, clean and perfect once again. I hoped more people would be touched in the same way. I wondered what Jean Michel Jarre’s written story would tell of all these sounds. Have I understood you at all Jean. I was so amazed how the piece spoke to me as I worry about our future and it’s delicately, finely tuned atmosphere. Hurry people time is running out, we have no magic to fix the earth but we do have music perhaps to inspire us reduce our carbon footprints on the earth.

Almost 40 years to get to this point and time seems to have stood still for this stunningly attractive 59 year old. I find myself now listening to both versions simultaneously, the recording re-released and the original to compare. I completely left out the variations and prelude because I need more time on them. Please enlighten me if you think this is not what I was supposed to take from this work.

]]> By: Mick http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473655 Mick Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:50:58 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473655 <p>Nice review! i was there last night (19th) and although It was a great performance, and as you said, low key, I do have a few criticisms (sorry) I’ve been a fan too since i was a teen, for years all i got to see of jarre was the odd snippet on TV of the big lazer/light shows he is so famous for. So finally I hear he’s coming to Dublin and I count down the days till the concert.<br /> When I walked onto the balcony last night I lost my breath when i looked down at all the famous synths from a golden age of music. The theremin, which no matter how he plays it though, sounds like a wounded cat. The guitar/strap on type synth ruined oxygen part 5 i thought. He was trying to look like Jimi hendrix, but basically played out of key, missed most of the melody and looked silly to me. Basically i thought these props were unnecesssary. They weren’t used in the original recording.<br /> I Though JMJ also spent too much time twiddling and not enough playing. I play synths myself and understand synthesis, but a lot of it was for show, for example, Oxygene part 4 is probably his most famous piece of music, but the actual melody line he played was very dissapointing. Sounded like a cheap synth with cheesy string sound. Considering what equipment was on stage, if he hadn’t spent the previous 10 mins making sweepy noises he would have had that synth ready to play a the rich ambient sound part 4 is so famous for. The musicians behind him were suberb, especially Dominique Perrier.<br /> The volume I thought was too low. maybe it sounded louder in the stalls but i doubt it. The guy sitting beside me kept yawning and that kind of irritated me, which didn’t help either!<br /> Overall, it was a special occasion I will never forget, JM Jarre was a big influence on me, my passion for electronic music. Hope I don’t sound negative, but I guess he just can’t help doing the “showman” thing. The encore was my favourite part where he just sat down and played Oxygen 13 from start to finish with little knob twiddling.</p> Nice review! i was there last night (19th) and although It was a great performance, and as you said, low key, I do have a few criticisms (sorry) I’ve been a fan too since i was a teen, for years all i got to see of jarre was the odd snippet on TV of the big lazer/light shows he is so famous for. So finally I hear he’s coming to Dublin and I count down the days till the concert.
When I walked onto the balcony last night I lost my breath when i looked down at all the famous synths from a golden age of music. The theremin, which no matter how he plays it though, sounds like a wounded cat. The guitar/strap on type synth ruined oxygen part 5 i thought. He was trying to look like Jimi hendrix, but basically played out of key, missed most of the melody and looked silly to me. Basically i thought these props were unnecesssary. They weren’t used in the original recording.
I Though JMJ also spent too much time twiddling and not enough playing. I play synths myself and understand synthesis, but a lot of it was for show, for example, Oxygene part 4 is probably his most famous piece of music, but the actual melody line he played was very dissapointing. Sounded like a cheap synth with cheesy string sound. Considering what equipment was on stage, if he hadn’t spent the previous 10 mins making sweepy noises he would have had that synth ready to play a the rich ambient sound part 4 is so famous for. The musicians behind him were suberb, especially Dominique Perrier.
The volume I thought was too low. maybe it sounded louder in the stalls but i doubt it. The guy sitting beside me kept yawning and that kind of irritated me, which didn’t help either!
Overall, it was a special occasion I will never forget, JM Jarre was a big influence on me, my passion for electronic music. Hope I don’t sound negative, but I guess he just can’t help doing the “showman” thing. The encore was my favourite part where he just sat down and played Oxygen 13 from start to finish with little knob twiddling.

]]> By: Treasa http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473472 Treasa Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:46:08 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473472 <p>Oh dear, </p> <p>still very tired. my review is <span class='-linked-Data' title='http://www.windsandbreezes.org/?p=991' postaddress='http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/index.php?sioc_type=comment%26sioc_id=473472'><a href='http://www.windsandbreezes.org/?p=991'>here on my site and not somewhere on boards.ie</a></span></p> <p>sorry John.</p> Oh dear,

still very tired. my review is here on my site and not somewhere on boards.ie

sorry John.

]]> By: Treasa http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473471 Treasa Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:44:54 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473471 <p>Did not know you were a Jarre fan as well. </p> <p>I was at last night’s concert. <span class='-linked-Data' title='//www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20552578' postaddress='http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/index.php?sioc_type=comment%26sioc_id=473471'><a href='//www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20552578'>Very, very impressed.</a></span></p> <p>brought me back years and oh god those instruments…</p> Did not know you were a Jarre fan as well.

I was at last night’s concert. Very, very impressed.

brought me back years and oh god those instruments…

]]> By: Cloud http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473008 Cloud Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:49:46 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-473008 <p>See the new JMJ blog at <span class='-linked-Data' title='http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/' postaddress='http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/index.php?sioc_type=comment%26sioc_id=473008'><a href='http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/'>http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/</a></span></p> <p>Two entries about Dublin:</p> <p><span class='-linked-Data' title='http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-first-gig.html' postaddress='http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/index.php?sioc_type=comment%26sioc_id=473008'><a href='http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-first-gig.html'>http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-first-gig.html</a></span><br /> <span class='-linked-Data' title='http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-video_19.html' postaddress='http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/index.php?sioc_type=comment%26sioc_id=473008'><a href='http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-video_19.html'>http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-video_19.html</a></span></p> See the new JMJ blog at http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/

Two entries about Dublin:

http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-first-gig.html
http://aerojarre.blogspot.com/2008/03/dublin-video_19.html

]]> By: john McCarthy http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-472953 john McCarthy Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:12:56 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-472953 <p>great review.</p> <p> one thing, i thought was the price of the programs was too steep. but maybe thats me.</p> great review.

one thing, i thought was the price of the programs was too steep. but maybe thats me.

]]> By: Robert http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-472822 Robert Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:10:23 +0000 http://www.johnbreslin.com/blog/2008/03/19/jean-michel-jarre-performs-oxygene-live-in-dublin-18th-march-2008/#comment-472822 <p>I was there too. It was amazing!</p> <p>Pity about all the killjoy ushers though.</p> I was there too. It was amazing!

Pity about all the killjoy ushers though.

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