Fragile (Steve Anderson Studio Version) ~ Quite honestly, I do enjoy when Steve Anderson takes over directing popstars on tour. The results are usually very pleasing (see below for more). I'm sad that I didn't get to see Christophe's latest tour, but perhaps if he takes off in the UK that will become more of a possibility... The original album version is a stripped down ballad built around a string instrument and a rich, resonant piano accompaniment. The tour version (above) makes a more haunting vision for the tune, with an elegant yet almost ghostly hollow sounding synth backdrop with a muted string sound and sparse drum effect adding in as the song develops. What this essentially does is make Christophe's voice sound very delicate and vulnerable as his emotions become the focal point of the track - and makes a lovely symmetry with the song title. It (I imagine) also made it quite a powerful track to perform live, and therein lies the magic of Mr Anderson - understanding how to subtly recreate a track for a live venue. Ethereal and mystically hypnotic.
Bombe Anatomique/Erotica (Steve Anderson Remix) ~ A slightly crazed Christophe is all red eyed and straitjacketed in the (presumably tour backdrop) visual to accompany this song. It's a far more dance-driven affair than Fragile, being bought right up to date with a more industrial feel than the original version on his debut album ever had. The addition of Madonna's Erotica in the middle 8 works well and creates a jarring, unhinged effect when matched to aforesaid visuals. The song and performance is incredibly sexual and this raw energy flows from it. Again, this must be a very intense experience live...PS be sure to check out State of Grace, a great mid-tempo pop track from Christophe that Larry Flick has been playing recently...
More Steve Anderson:
- Elouise ~ Fireman of my dreams: Transformed an already quirky cute number into a dreamy romantic ballad that will last longer than a Ruth Wallis song and soon be performed by drag queens everyhere. And that, my friends, is how it should be. Performance from Elouise's opening slot for Miss Polly Rae (who is coming back in Sept! SQUEAL!!)
- Westlife - Flying Without Wings: I exhibit no shame ever in loving Westlife. They have clearly filled a necessary niche in the pop market and continue to produce straightforward, instantly familiar pop gems. Their latest Where We Are tour was a brillo fun night out with rampantly enthusiastic crowds, excellent lighting effects and a wonderful mix of ballads combined with uptempo fun. This song showcased their excellent vocals & harmonies and proved that it could still give you goosebumps over ten years on... (Now if Westlife could return with a Steve Anderson produced version of this, they would be number one for a month)!
- Kylie - Come Into My World: Kylie live in the USA from a year or so ago was a marketing triumph. It allowed long time US fans to see her live and gave the rest of the Kylie adoring world some new versions of old favourites. The highlight for me was the perenially amazing Come Into My World being given a harder synth edge to add to it's disco fabulosity. Magnifico :)
Soon! The Pipettes & The Like! Girl groups rule :P
Ooo, I do like what Steve has done in that second Christophe song! Really like it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to see Christophe appreciation (albeit via the Steve Anderson connection). He's a great popstar to have around. I agree that the Kylie connection wasn't necessary in order to prove his quality of work.
On another note, the Pipettes' latest album is very good. I think "I Need A Little Time" is my favorite at the moment--as XO mentioned, the middle eight is fantastic.
I expected something else after Kylie's mention, very beautiful and fragile stuff. First version sounds more special and original so I prefer it :) Just have realized that didn't hear some beautiful French ballads too long.
ReplyDeleteOoh, "Fragile" is kind of understated and lurvly.
ReplyDeletePG - they are both really good aren't they? I wish i'd gotten into CHristophe a little earlier but better late than never. I do remember people talking about him last year but didn't pay attention til i heard Lost In Berlin!
ReplyDeleteDamian - he does ballads so well. i think the original version of Fragile works well on the album but the Steve Anderson version really makes it magical for the stage.
D'Luv - yay! So pleased :)
L’effet Steve Anderson – les chansons de la tournée de Christophe Willem
ReplyDeleteQu’est-ce que j’aime une petite dose de Christophe Willem. Je l’ai remarqué pour la première fois l’année passée lorsque son album Caféine est sorti avec un visuel de pochette plutôt frappant et des mélodies pleines de charme. Le battage médiatique a tourné autour de son duo avec Kylie sur Sensitized, mais franchement Christophe n’avait pas besoin de l’association avec Minogue (même si c’était plutôt bon) parce qu’il a rayonné à lui tout seul. J’ai écrit à son sujet quelques fois cette année (une vue de l’album ici, une critique plus approfondie ici, une revue de sa tournée ici) et je reviens à son album assez régulièrement. Donc j’étais super content cette semaine de voir quelques versions studio de ses chansons de tournée sortir sur youtube…
Fragile (Version studio Steve Anderson) Très honnêtement, j’ai vraiment du plaisir lorsque Steve Anderson se met à diriger des popstars en tournée. Les résultats sont généralement très plaisants (voir ci-dessous). Je regrette de ne pas avoir vu la dernière tournée de Christophe, mais peut-être que s’il décolle au Royaume-Uni, ça deviendra plus du domaine du possible…La version originale album est une ballade dépouillée construite autour d’un instrument à corde et d’un accompagnement piano dans une riche tonalité cuivrée. La version de la tournée (ci-dessus) apporte une note plus lancinante à la mélodie, avec un fond sonore de synthé, élégant mais presque fantomatique et caverneux, et un son de corde feutré et un léger effet de batterie qui s’ajoutent au fil de la chanson. Ceci a surtout pour effet de donner à la voix de Christophe un côté très délicat et vulnérable, tandis que ses émotions se retrouvent au centre du titre – en harmonie avec le titre de la chanson. Le titre devient aussi (j’imagine) puissant à chanter en live, et là réside la magie de M. Anderson – comprendre comment subtilement recréer un titre pour un live. Aérien et mystiquement hypnotique.
Bombe anatomique/Erotica (Remix Steve Anderson) Un Christophe légèrement barré, tout en yeux rouges et camisole de force dans le visuel (le fond pour la tournée, je présume) qui accompagne cette chanson. C’est beaucoup plus dansant que Fragile, mis au goût du jour avec un côté plus industriel que la version originale de son premier album. L’ajout de Erotica de Madonna est efficace et crée un effet qui sonne faux et désaxé, assorti aux visuels mentionnés. La chanson et la performance sont très sexuelles et dégagent de l’énergie brute. A nouveau, cela a dû être une expérience live très intense…PS : n’oubliez pas de jeter un coup d’œil à State of Grace, un énorme titre pop mi tempo de Christophe que Larry Flick a récemment programmé…
Merci Heidi (christophe willem forum Gestionnaire modérachris)
Firstly, Agreed! - Steven Anderson is AMAZING with his Tour Mixes! -
ReplyDeleteElouise is absolutely amazing- So that's NEVER a bad thing - and I'd just adore an Almighty mix of one of her tracks, just personally!
And Kylie, yes, very much so! - Love the fact we got a CD release, and I really absolutely love the Steve Anderson Tour Mix of Speakerphone - HEAPS!
Love Fragile. So, uh, fragile! It must be quite mesmerising to watch live. I'll try to track down some you tube footage but it never does it justice does it?
ReplyDeleteOh please hurry back Elouise. I'm wearing out my Stardust EP. Stardust Volume 2?!
Aaron - ooo imagine a nice almighty mix of Another Day :)P How bonza!!
ReplyDeleteBen - yay i'm loving the love for Fragile :) And yay, i believe their is more Stardust on the way...