Raoul Vignal - Oak Leaf
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 22 / 2 / 2019
Label:
Talitres
Format: CD
intro
Enthralling second album from French acoustic singer-songwriter Raoul Vignal which is influenced by jazz and ambient music
At the turn of the millennium, at around the time I began writing for Pennyblackmusic, the NME attempted to counterbalance the then in vogue craze for skate-punk and rap-metal with what it called the ‘New Acoustic Movement’. No sooner had they launched this ‘scene’ than they turned against it, but there was enough time for the Kings Of Convenience to release an album that seemed to define this brief uprising of acoustic guitarists, ‘Quiet is the New Loud’. Was Raoul Vignal, then a teenager living in Lyon, following the NME’s machinations? Who knows – but I would not be at all surprised. Not only is his hushed vocal delivery eerily similar to the Kings of Convenience, but he seems to have absorbed their mentality wholesale. On ‘Oak Leaf’ he gives a masterclass in what the ‘New Acoustic Movement’ would have been aiming at – purposeful, atmospheric acoustic music. One thing it very much is not is folk music. Vignal may have a background busking in Berlin, but his vocals are only a part of the experience – his voice and guitars are part of an ensemble where the other elements often play the most decisive role. This is moody, atmospheric music that owes as much to jazz and – though performed entirely on organic instruments – ambient music. His hushed and slightly slurred vocals are never uninviting, but it’s hard to focus on the words when the musical accompaniments are so good. I doubt you will be able to hum back any of these songs when you get to the end of ‘Oak Leaf’, but it’s a delightful listening experience. Saxophones evoke the best of modern jazz, while the vibraphones create a gorgeous atmospheric hum. It’s clear that everyone involved in the making of this record was at the very top of their game. This comes very highly recommended.
Track Listing:-
1 Pepa's Eyes2 No Faith
3 The Dream
4 Blue Raven
5 I Might
6 I Have Sinned
7 The Waves (Pt. 1)
8 The Waves (Pt. 2)
9 Mirror
10 The Valve
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/raoulvignalmusic/https://raoulvignal.bandcamp.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.talitres.com/en/https://www.facebook.com/talitres.rds
https://twitter.com/talitres
https://instagram.com/talitres/
Have a Listen:-
soundcloud
reviews |
Years in Marble (2021) |
Exquisite and rich folk on latest album from French singer-songwriter and guitarist Raoul Vignal |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart