Bonjour is the eighth studio album by French–Algerian singer Rachid Taha. It was released by Wrasse Records on 26 October 2009.[1]
Bonjour | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 26 October 2009[1] | |||
Genre | Raï, rock, world | |||
Label | Wrasse, Universal | |||
Producer | Gaetan Roussel & Mark Plati[2] | |||
Rachid Taha chronology | ||||
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Singles from Bonjour | ||||
Critical response
editReview scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
The Guardian | [5] |
Financial Times | [6] |
MSN Music (Consumer Guide) | A[7] |
Pitchfork | 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."[5] 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."[6]
Songs
edit"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
edit- "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
editChart (2009) | Peak position |
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French Albums Chart[12] | 132 |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Label | Format(s) | Catalog |
---|---|---|---|---|
Europe | 19 October 2009[13] | Wrasse Records | Digital download | Wrass251 |
26 October 2009[1] | CD |
Personnel
edit- 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
edit- ^ a b c (in French) "Rachid Taha sort "Bonjour" le 26 octobre" Archived 2009-11-01 at the Wayback Machine. Metro. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b c (in French) "Rachid Taha" Archived 2009-11-07 at the Wayback Machine. Universal Music France. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ (in French) "Bonjour - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Tamarkin, Jeff. Review: Bonjour. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-12-26.
- ^ a b Denselow, Robin. "World Music: Rachid Taha: Bonjour". The Guardian. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ a b Honigmann, David. "Music: Rachid Taha: Bonjour". Financial Times. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (December 24, 2010). Consumer Guide: Bonjour. MSN Music. Retrieved on 2010-12-26.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e "Rachid Taha - Bonjour". WrasseRecords.com. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ a b c d e (in French) "Bonjour: Nouvel album de Rachid Taha" Archived 2009-10-31 at the Wayback Machine. RachidTaha.fr. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ (in 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.