Slightly Unusual (Waiting For Cousteau - Jean-Michel Jarre)

Member Name: jamesbevis2

Product:	Waiting For Cousteau - Jean-Michel Jarre
Date:	23/11/08 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful Title Track

Disadvantages: Unusual and Totally Oddball Opening Track

Jarre dedicated Waiting for Cousteau to Jacques-Yves Cousteau, whose 80th birthday coincided with the release of the album. Early promos had the title track named "Cousteau on the Beach", but it was later renamed because of Cousteau's belief that beaches were an environmental disaster.

The opening track, Calypso, is one of the most uncharacteristic JMJ tracks ever - a lively Caribbean flavoured track filled with steel drum samples, which leaves the listener feeling slightly awkward. The remaining two Calypso pieces are slightly darker and play out more towards the brilliant ambient title track, which is the main focus of the album at just over 45 minutes.

On both vinyl and cassette tape this title track was edited down to a mere 20 minutes due to these mediums lacking the necessary capacity. Jarre utilised the unedited version as an ambient audience "warm-up" in the hours prior to the Paris La Defense concert in 1990; it was also produced (and initially written for) Concert d'Images; an exhibition which contained photographs and selected objects from Jarre's concerts.

After the disappointment of the first three tracks, Jarre re-focuses to create a highly enjoyable if slightly samey ambient piece which is worlds away from the other material written for the album. Regardless of whether one appreciate that the music was written for an exhibition or not, it is a relaxing and beautiful piece reminiscent of Harold Budd's typical work.

Summary: ***