Robert Wyatt is a truly unique artist. Ever since Rock Bottom, his 1974 masterpiece, invariably listed among the most outstanding albums in the history of rock, the singer has inspired nothing but respect and passion. In both Soft Machine, one of the first groups to blend rock and jazz with pertinence and daring, and its successor, Matching Mole, he was one of the most creative drummers of his generation, before embarking on a solo career to become, through a string of magnificent releases, the inventor of a haunting, melancholy pop music and a timeless, instinctive and spellbinding singer, one of the most intriguing voices in today's music, cited as an essential reference by the likes of David Bowie, Elvis Costello, David Gilmour…
Conceived as part of a collaboration between Robert Wyatt and Daniel Yvinec specially for the ONJ, this programme pays homage to the universe and protean personality of the singer. In addition to Wyatt himself, Yvinec has invited other well known voices to offer their own versions of a repertoire consisting of Wyatt originals and songs memorably interpreted by the singer. The idea is straightforward: start with the jewel and build the showcase around it. The voices were recorded first, a cappella, naked and intimate in their raw emotion, before being dressed in Vincent Artaud's sumptuous orchestral arrangements, which use the finesse of each inflection to inspire a profoundly original rereading. Around Robert Wyatt allows us to rediscover these enchanting melodies (Shipbuilding, Alifib…) in another light, painting Wyatt's world with the unique sound colours of the orchestra.
On stage, filmmaker Antoine Carlier will create a dreamlike and poetic play of images fully in keeping with the music, the identity of each of the associated artistes, and the musicians of the ONJ.


"AROUND ROBERT WYATT"
THE FIRST ALBUM FROM DANIEL YVINEC'S ONJ
French release April 23rd 2009 BEE JAZZ / Abeille Musique Distribution

LES VICTOIRES DU JAZZ 2009
- Best album of the year - 

★★★★ RECORD COLLECTOR
★★★★ MOJO
★★★     UNCUT
★★★     WIRE



Illustration © Philippe Ramette "Inversion de pesanteur", 2003
Color photograph 150 x 120 cm - Photographer Marc Domage
2009 ADAGP, Paris / Courtesy Xippas Galery (Paris)