Vital Duo - Le Jardin Hors Du Temps


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Musea
Catalog Number: FGBG 9012
Format: DVD
Total Time: 55:00:00

Brothers Jean-Luc and Thierry Payssan have for years been the spine of the wonderful and original music of Minimum Vital. Their love for medieval music and structures has taken them one step further away from the atmosphere of the full line-up of their maiden band Minimum Vital, only leaving space for the nucleus of the medieval ideas spiced with progressive tendencies. Thus was a new project born between the two brothers, a musical idea which they called Vital Duo. A lot of sampled church organ is used, as well as the occasional sound of the clavinet in order to emphasize the roots of the music. Meanwhile Jean Luc often delivers a Mike Oldfield-like guitar sound whilst also delivering the necessary percussion duties. Thierry even delivers the sound of recorder by means of his keyboard.

Recorded inside the small chapel of Mussonville, France on the 28th and 29th September 2002, the cameras alternate between the two brothers in order to highlight their individual approach. Both musicians are dressed in a sober way, whilst no special visual gimmicks are being used. Only two large black and white pictures are to be seen in the background, serving as alternative stained glass windows. It's amazing what a full sound Vital Duo gets between the two of them, and in what way they really become one with the music. Sometimes, such as in "Gothic," they tend to repeat the same sequence a little too often, turning an otherwise acceptable format into a long repetitive loop. "Gothic" is interesting from a visual point of view because of the chaotic middle piece where Thierry attacks his guitar with a drumstick, whilst Jean Luc almost chops his keyboard to pieces. Clavinet and 12-string cittern make up the nucleus for "Officium," with the solos once again mainly reserved for Thierry. Nine newly composed tracks have been recorded onto eight track digital in order to deliver this contemporary blend between the medieval heritage and authentic progressive rock.

Because nine songs are not enough to keep the DVD buyer happy, Vital Duo, in collaboration with Musea Records, decided to add an interesting bonus feature. You get the entire Les Mondes De Minimum Vital, which in its own right was issued as a VHS tape way back in 1995 featuring the entire Minimum Vital line-up. Compared with Vital Duo, especially the use of real drums and bass, plus the nice vocal range of Sonia Nedelec, it creates a completely different sound. Thierry delivers authentic French accordion by means of his keyboards in order to get closer to the original French medieval ideas that are woven throughout the Minimum Vital output. As is the case with Magma, Minimum Vital also sings in a language they have invented themselves, where the emphasis lies on the sound of the "words" rather than the meaning of the word itself. The band also delivers some instrumental moments, such as the wonderful acoustic guitar solo "Dans Les Ch?teaux." From a visual point of view, some titles are written on parchment, adding to the medieval feel of the music. However for "Modern Trad," the band has opted for some computer graphics to make it more appropriate. "Ann Dey Floh? is written on a piece of paper stuck inside a bottle and washed ashore. The same song even has some dancing by Marie Terré. With the band recorded over two days, on 22nd and 23rd September 1994 at the J. Villard Theatre in Eysines, France, this section of the DVD perfectly illustrates the unique nature of this band. Although recorded nearly ten years ago, already the transfer onto DVD has been well executed, making the "old" VHS tape something of a true collector's item. The combination of both Vital Duo and Minimum Vital onto one disc is ideal, as both projects perfectly complement each other. Although both recordings don't really deliver a true live image of both bands, as all footage has been recorded without an audience; it nevertheless gives us a good image as to how skilled all musicians really are. Although Minimum Vital managed to play at prestigious festivals such as Progfest in Los Angeles in 1994, Rio Art Rock Festival in Brazil in 1996 and Baja Prog in Mexico in 1998, I'm sure a lot of people will be interested to finally see the magic of this unique French collaboration in the comfort of their own home.


Tracklisting:
Introit / Se Me Dame (Ma Dame M'a Trahi) / Zlideline Danse / Sliman' / Gothik / Le Jardin Au Statues / Officium / Mauresque / Louez Son Nom?! / Bonus: 'Les Mondes De Minimum Vital'?: Les Mondes De Miranda / Modern Trad' / Dans Les Ch?teaux - Porte Sur L'été / Ann Dey Floh / Mystical West / A Bien Des Egards / La Source

Musicians:
Jean Luc Payssan - electric guitar, 16 strings cittern, mandolin, drums, percussion, classical guitar, vocals
Thierry Payssan - digital church organ, Hammond organ, Steinway grand piano, synthesizers, sampler, percussion, vocals

Discography:
Ex Tempore (2001)

Le Jardin Hors Du Temps (The Garden Out Of Time) (DVD) (1994/2002)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin FR

Added: December 24th 2003
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website:
Hits: 2074
Language: english

  

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