Jean Michel Jarre performs Oxygène at The Royal Albert Hall - using original analogue synthesisers
I have a problem with Jean Michel Jarre. I should see him as an electronic music pioneer, but after years of dull soundscapes, praise doesn't come easily. Never mind - let's forget everything past 1976 and go back to Oxygene, which is getting a rare live outing at London's Royal Albert Hall on 30th March. And even better - he's blowing the dust off all the original analogue synthesisers for one night only.
According to Jarre, a man seriously lacking in modesty: "I've composed Oxygène on extraordinary instruments, part of electronic music mythology as Stradivarius was for classical music or Fender Telecaster was for rock music. I wanted the public to discover those and I am so excited about performing for the fans in London".
Tickets are £45 and go on sale from Monday 21st February. You can buy them via the link below.
Get tickets at the Bookings Direct website
I've changed my opinion about Jean Michel Jarre after he gave away the above record for free with the Daily Mail.
It's gone down even further.
Posted by: David Walker | 01/21/2008 at 10:42 AM
Sounds like we have somebody who purchased a copy of Oxygene for the 30th anniversary, only to find it was given away free... Such a sorry loser.
Of course, he will naturally come back and deny this, such is the predictability of these kinds of people.
Still, I'm not sure how this translates to the concert not being worthwhile going to. What's up, can't afford it, eh David?
Posted by: David Wanker | 01/22/2008 at 11:31 AM
Well (whoever you are - not learned to spell your name yet?)
The comment was with regard to him giving away a so-called landmark album for free with the Daily Mail. Not only does it devalue the album and the artist, it's also a strange choice of media. I guess they just offered the most money.
If I read that Kraftwerk were giving away a copy of Computer World with the Daily Express, I would have choked on my Corn Flakes. Why? Because it's a band of integrity. Oh yes - and a band that has moved on from analogue synths and past glories. Ok, they do play old material live, but in a changed/remixed form, embracing new technology as it comes.
Jarre embraced new technology once...but now he's as 70s as a Chopper bike and Spacehopper. And that lack of progress is why he's yesterday's man.
Posted by: David Walker | 01/22/2008 at 11:54 AM
Yeah, his new album is full of analogue synths and old technology... Whatever kid, whatever.
I respect artists for NOT feeling they have to go with the flow and please idiots like yourself. I'm happy to stick to the Chopper Bike and Spacehopper style. After all, both of those things you mention are right back in fashion now, so clearly, you have no idea what you are talking about.
Oxygene is a classic album, and to hear it played live with the original instruments is something you will never be able to appreciate.
Posted by: David Wanker | 01/22/2008 at 01:30 PM
Haha, Kraftwerk have moved on from analogue synths?! You're having a laugh aren't you? Their music sounds as old now as it ever did. At least Jarre makes bold moves with his modern material, and his latest is about as far from analogue as you can get. You might want to think about what you say before spurting verbage like that.
Just because he has re-visited Oxygene does not mean he is stuck in the past.
Posted by: Bryony | 01/22/2008 at 01:35 PM
The last two comments seem to have come from the same place under different names. If you're going to comment, at least be honest with it.
And rather than revisit Oxygene, can't Jarre just leave it to Air?
Posted by: Electric Roulette | 01/22/2008 at 01:52 PM
"Oxygene is a classic album, and to hear it played live with the original instruments is something you will never be able to appreciate."
I'm waiting for Jean Michel Jarre Unplugged. That's more my thing.
Posted by: David Walker | 01/22/2008 at 01:59 PM
In fairness Jarreheads, Jean Michel is a bit of a tart when it comes to his music. If he's not giving his 'art' away free with a right-wing newspaper, then he's the bloke who soundtracked a crap health programme with Miriam Stoppard called 'Where There's Life' on ITV.
Posted by: mof gimmers | 01/22/2008 at 02:06 PM
Let's be honest, Jarre was music for school spods.
Posted by: Clever Trev | 01/22/2008 at 02:16 PM
The truth is, coming on here and posting if you have no interest in Jarre or his music is pathetic. It's like you get off on the fact that if you "insult" his music you somehow insult us... I grew up and rose above that childish behaviour. I like music for what it is, regardless of artist or status, and Oxygene is an absolute classic. You seem too focussed on the present, where I agree, he's lost the plot. Does that suddenly mean we shouldn't appreciate the classics still? Don't be stupid.
How does his free CD change anything, apart from in your puny little mind?
Posted by: David Wanker | 01/22/2008 at 04:07 PM
"The truth is, coming on here and posting if you have no interest in Jarre or his music is pathetic."
It's a music website, with open comments, so that anyone with any opinion is free to share it. Though it's always preferable when someone expresses their thoughts in a rational manner without resorting to petty name-calling, Mr "Wanker"
Posted by: Orla | 01/23/2008 at 10:07 AM
'The truth is, coming on here and posting if you have no interest in Jarre or his music is pathetic. It's like you get off on the fact that if you "insult" his music you somehow insult us... I grew up and rose above that childish behaviour.'
Hang on...I made a point that my opinion had gone down since he gave away a supposed classic album with a right-wing tabloid newspaper and you came on here with a hurl of insults.
Who is behaving like a child?
Posted by: David Walker | 01/23/2008 at 10:42 AM
You made a point that had no relevance to the article whatsoever. Your second post harping on about Chopper bikes and that he has not moved on from analogue synths is proof enough.
He moved on from analogue synths decades ago. I suggest you move on too, because your expectation that everything from now on should be new and non-analogue is beyond comprehension.
If you are not going to the Oxygene Live concert, take your wasted comments elsewhere.
Posted by: David Wanker | 01/23/2008 at 11:51 AM
"I respect artists for NOT feeling they have to go with the flow"
You mean artists who don't jump on the giving their albums away for free bandwagon, at least six months after it rolled out of town. Talk about desperation!
Posted by: kissoffboardy | 01/23/2008 at 10:32 PM
Somebody likes him, somebody doesn't.
One thing is sure : the album is classic. No doubt.
Posted by: Robi | 01/28/2008 at 01:22 PM