Bonjour (album)
| Bonjour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Rachid Taha | ||||
| Released | 26 October 2009[1] | |||
| Genre | Raï, rock, world | |||
| Label | Wrasse, Universal | |||
| Producer | Gaetan Roussel & Mark Plati[2] | |||
| Rachid Taha chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Bonjour | ||||
Bonjour is the eighth studio album by French–Algerian singer Rachid Taha. It was released by Wrasse Records on 26 October 2009.[1]
Critical response
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [4] |
| Robert Christgau | A[5] |
| The Guardian | [6] |
| Financial Times | [7] |
| Pitchfork Media | (7.5/10)[8] |
| Socialist Worker | (positive)[9] |
Bonjour received mixed reviews from music critics. The Guardian reviewer Robin Denselow called the album a "A highly commercial set" that was "not [Taha's] most exciting."[6] David Honigmann of the Financial Times rated the album three out of five stars, but wrote that its emphasis on "technology...stops [Taha] cutting loose."[7]
Songs
"Je T’Aime Mon Amour", Bonjour's opening track, was written about Taha's partner. Its lyrics are a declaration of love for life and his partner.[10] The second track, "Mokhtar", describes the lonely life of a vagrant living in a city.[11] "Ha Baby" was inspired by country music singer Kenny Rogers and Egyptian musician Farid El Atrache.[10] The song, which blends western and Arabic musical styles, is about universal peace and love.[11] The title track, "Bonjour", is a duet with Gaetan Roussel. It was released as the album's lead single and is sung in both French and Arabic.[2] "Mine Jaï", the fifth track, asks a series of questions. In the song, Taha asks the listener where they come from and where they are traveling to.[11]
In the song "Mabrouk Aalik", Taha reflects on the fractured relationship between Jews and Muslims.[10] The seventh track, "Ila Lika", explores life and death.[11] "It's an Arabian Song" is a rock song about the French treatment of Algerians during colonialism. The track features fellow Algerian singer Bruno Maman.[10] "Sélu" is a flamenco song that pays tribute Arab writers and philosophers such as Averroes and Naguib Mahfouz.[10] The album closes with "Agi", a ballad about love.[11]
Track listing
- "Je T’Aime Mon Amour"
- "Mokhtar"
- "Ha Baby"
- "Bonjour" with Gaetan Roussel
- "Mine Jaï"
- "Mabrouk Aalik"
- "Ila Lika"
- "It's an Arabian Song" with Bruno Maman
- "Sélu"
- "Agi"
Charts
| Charts (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French Albums Chart | 132[12] |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format(s) | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 19 October 2009[13] | Wrasse Records | Digital download | Wrass251 |
| 26 October 2009[1] | CD | |||
Personnel
- Rachid Taha: Composer, Primary Artist
- Sylvain Bernard: Clapping, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Piano (Electric), Vocals (Background)
- Everett Bradley: Vocals (Background)
- Rodolphe Burger: Guitar (Electric)
- Marc Copely: Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
- Hakim Hamadouche: Arranger, Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals (Background)
- Steve Hillage: Arranger
- Bruno Maman: Composer, Featured Artist, Guitar (Electric), Interpretation, Synthesizer Bass, Synthesizer Strings, Vocals
- Karim Mansour: Guitar (Electric)
- Morgan Marchand: Clapping, Drum Programming, Keyboards, Percussion Programming, Synthesizer Bass
- Konrad Meissner: Drums
- Daniel Mintseris: Harmonium, Keyboards
- Mark Plati: Bass, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Loops, Mixing, Producer, Programming, Synthesizer Bass, Vocals (Background)
- Nicki Richards: Vocals (Background)
- Gaëtan Roussel: Composer, Featured Artist, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Interpretation, Keyboards, Loops, Piano, Producer, Vocals (Background)
- Catherine Russell: Vocals (Background)
- Arthur Simon: Trumpet
- Sóley: Clapping, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
Source: [14]
References
- 1 2 3 (French) "Rachid Taha sort "Bonjour" le 26 octobre". Metro. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- 1 2 3 (French) "Rachid Taha". Universal Music France. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ↑ (French) "Bonjour - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ Tamarkin, Jeff. Review: Bonjour. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-12-26.
- ↑ Christgau, Robert (December 24, 2010). Consumer Guide: Bonjour. MSN Music. Retrieved on 2010-12-26.
- 1 2 Denselow, Robin. "World Music: Rachid Taha: Bonjour". The Guardian. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- 1 2 Honigmann, David. "Music: Rachid Taha: Bonjour". Financial Times. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ Tangari, Joe. Review: Bonjour. Pitchfork Media. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010
- ↑ "Bonjour - Rachid Taha". Socialist Worker. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Rachid Taha - Bonjour". WrasseRecords.com. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- 1 2 3 4 5 (French) "Bonjour: Nouvel Album De Rachid Taha". RachidTaha.fr. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ (French) "Discographie Rachid Taha". LesCharts.com. eMedia Jungen. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
- ↑ "Bonjour by Rachid Taha" Archived November 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.. 7digital. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
- ↑ "Bonjour (Credits)". allmusic.com. Retrieved 22 November 2014.