Covering a famous artist is a risky bet. Being France's favourite singer & covering Bob Marley's songs is riskier. However, Yannick Noah finally recorded a cover album of songs by the late Jamaican singer, who encouraged rastafaris. We remember "Could You Be Loved?" & "Redemption Song", 2 songs with politically-charged lyrics. Also, Bob Marley's lyrics were about brotherhood, peace & tolerance. Yannick Noah told the same themes on his album Frontières (2010). Both artists' universes are not far away, even if Yannick Noah continued the message since Bob Marley's death. Not a surprise because "Saga Africa" singer is a real fan of Marley. He covered some of his songs on stage, like "Redemption Song", here re-arranged in a dynamic version, to avoid the cut/paste. "I've sung it a hundred times live but on the album, we took the uptempo & dancing option." It's true, it sounds catchy. A good first single.
Yannick Noah's admiration for Bob Marley recalls us of the childhood of France's favourite personality. In the late 70's, when he was just a teenager, he saw Bob Marley on television for the first time. Later, he became a famous tennis player. Once he got into Bob Marley's music, Yannick Noah used it as a force that has accompanied him so many times : "He guided some of my decisions. He's been an energy."
But the emotion isn't the same. Yannick not only covered Bob's songs, he also lost the emotion. The songs have changed a little but they're recognizable, like "Jammin'". The former tennisman called Siméo to produce all the songs. "With Siméo, I've been working on melodies but softly, with acoustic instruments, as if they were nursery rhymes." But Bob Marley's songs are not simple nursery rhymes & Yannick Noah sings lyrics without getting the point. He used a lesser tone, leading to a more enjoyable & lighter harmony.
We don't mind about the songs covered by Yannick Noah. There are famous songs & less popular songs : "I Shot The Sheriff" & "Jammin'" have been hits but "Burnin' And Lootin'" isn't one of Bob's standards. We mind about what Yannick Noah wants to say behind each word that he said & behind each sound that he wanted different. Finally, we understand that Hommage must be considered as entertainment, either for the singer or the listener. Not more, not less.
To know more about Yannick Noah, check yannicknoah.com or his Facebook.
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