The band was founded in 1982 in Angers, France by singer/keyboardist Denis Péan and Richard Bourreau (violin/kora). These two have remained central to Lo'Jo throughout their history. For several years, with a rotating cast of members, they played events locally, working with acrobats, street theatre, mime, dancers and film as part of their overall presentation. They have subsequently maintained a communal lifestyle, based in Angers.
By the end of the 1980s, they were playing throughout Europe and had appeared in New York as part of an artists' collective. Including Nicholas 'Kham Meslien (bass) and Matthieu Rousseau (drums) (later replaced by Franck Vaillant), they consolidated their line-up, and their first album, Fils de Zamal, was released in 1993. In 1995 the group added Berber singer/saxophonist Yamina Nid El Mourid and her sister, Nadia Nid El Mourid, who brought a strong North African influence to the music. In 1996, the new lineup recorded Sin Acabar, and 1997 saw them complete Mojo Radio, both with English producer Justin Adams. Upon the latter's release they found more acclaim in the world music community, getting them on the WOMAD circuit.
In 1999, they journeyed to Bamako, Mali, to begin work on Bohème de Cristal. While in Mali, they became involved in the organization of the Desert Music Festival held in January 2001. They have also collaborated with a wide variety of musicians, including Tinariwen.
In 2002 they released the acclaimed Au Cabaret Sauvage (originally issued in France as L'une des Siens). This was followed by a live album Ce Soir Là (2003), and a new studio album Bazar Savant (2006). In 2009 they released the album Cosmophono, and toured in the UK.
Discography
Studio:
1990 The International Courabou
1993 Fils de Zamal
1994 G7 of Destruction & Artisans of Peace
1996 Sin Acabar
1998 Mojo Radio
2000 Bohême de cristal
2002 L'une des siens
2006 Bazar savant
2009 Cosmophono
2012 Cinéma el Mundo
Other:
1989 Depuis très longtemps (K7)
1995 Le disque dort (33 tours)
2003 Ce soir là... (Live)
2007 Tu connais LO'JO ? (Best of)
Website (Bandinfo): http://www.lojo.org/
Facebooksite: http://www.facebook.com/lojomusic
MusicBrainz:http://musicbrainz.org/artist/a1c1fb23-38e0-4d7f-8fed-3c81fef5ad0f
C'est la vie
Lo'Jo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faite de parfums de trésors insolite
C′est la vie
Grand marché d'apocalypse
C′est la vie
Étales de croyance
De surpassement, de nos limites
C'est la vie
Grand marché d'apocalypse
C′est la vie
Accepte ceci ce raga
Cette mélodie du matin
Cette étrange sonate de la première heure
Si d′aventure le même soleil nous frappe
La nuit, pleine d'épice
Lame nos yeux de paillettes pointues
Ma nuit, s′en allant le matin pour un autre
S'en allant le matin pour un autre
Panier rempli du nombre des heures
D′où l'ont extrait la science, nos nombres d′or
Les formules d'astres dans la bouches des enfant
Les maitres de la poésie d'orient
Et les échos des innombrable bêtes
Les oiseaux qui connaissent
Tous les courants de l′air
Tous les courants de l′air
Accepte ceci ce raga
Cette mélodie du matin
Cette étrange sonate de la première heure
Si d'aventure le même soleil nous frappe
La nuit pleine d′épice
Lame nos yeux de paillettes pointues
La nuit, s'en allant le matin pour un autre
S′en allant le matin pour un autre
(Un autre, un autre)
Bazar savant boutique hétéroclite
Faite de parfums de trésors insolite
C'est la vie
Des chevaux, des destinées
C′est la vie
Les canons de la beauté éphémères
Dans un café chantant quelque part près du Caire
C'est la vie
Grand marché d'apocalypse
C′est la vie
Accepte ceci ce raga
Cette mélodie du matin
Cette étrange sonate de la première heure
Si d′aventure le même soleil nous frappe
La nuit pleine d'épice
Lame nos yeux de paillettes pointues
La nuit, s′en allant le matin pour un autre
S'en allant le matin pour un autre
Sous la toison d′une ville blanche
Surgissent les souvenirs d'enfance
Pour une chanson, pour une danse
L′hiver prends l'âme contre ses hanches
Sur les anomalie de l'existence
Dans la paume de la chance
Une fleur à poussé sur la fange
Sous la toison d′une ville blanche
Lo'Jo's song C'est la vie is a celebration of the diversity of life and the experience of living in the world. The lyrics are all about the vibrant, chaotic energy of markets and bazaars, filled with strange and wonderful treasures, and the many different people and experiences that one encounters there. The song's repeated refrain of "C'est la vie" emphasizes the idea that life is a grand market, full of ups and downs, highs and lows, victories and defeats, and that we must accept and embrace all of it.
The first verse of the song describes a "savant boutique" filled with unusual perfumes and treasures, and celebrates the diversity of goods and people on display. The second verse talks about the importance of numbers, science, and astrology, as well as the wisdom of poets and the knowledge of birds. The final verse takes place in a city, where memories of childhood and the power of chance intersect.
Throughout the song, the singer urges the listener to "accept this raga", "this melody of the morning", and "this strange sonata of the first hour". These lines suggest that the chaos and beauty of the world can be overwhelming, but that we must be open to experiencing it fully, in all its strangeness and complexity.
Overall, C'est la vie is a joyful and optimistic song that celebrates the richness of life and encourages us to embrace all of its experiences, both good and bad.
Line by Line Meaning
Bazar savant boutique hétéroclite
The market is filled with a variety of unusual items and unique finds.
Faite de parfums de trésors insolite
The market is full of intriguing smells and rare treasures.
C′est la vie
This is life, a reminder that not everything can be controlled.
Grand marché d'apocalypse
The market is a place of chaos and destruction, but also of wonder and beauty.
Étales de croyance
There are many beliefs and ideas being shared in the market.
Mesures de rires et de défaites
There are both moments of joy and moments of failure in the market.
De surpassement, de nos limites
The market is a place where people push themselves to go beyond their limits.
Accepte ceci ce raga
Accept this song that is being played (the raga being a type of melody).
Cette mélodie du matin
This morning melody is a reminder of the beauty of life.
Cette étrange sonate de la première heure
This strange composition played at first light signifies new beginnings.
Si d′aventure le même soleil nous frappe
If we are touched by the same sun, we can share in these experiences together.
La nuit, pleine d'épice
The night is full of mystery and excitement.
Lame nos yeux de paillettes pointues
The glittering stars in the night sky dazzle and enchant us.
Ma nuit, s′en allant le matin pour un autre
The night passes and gives way to a new day and new experiences.
Panier rempli du nombre des heures
This basket is filled with the number of hours we have in a day.
D′où l'ont extrait la science, nos nombres d′or
From this, we can extract the science of our existence and the beauty of our world.
Les formules d'astres dans la bouches des enfant
Children speak of the formulas and mysteries of the stars.
Les maitres de la poésie d'orient
The masters of oriental poetry share their knowledge and experiences.
Et les échos des innombrable bêtes
The echoes of countless animals can be heard throughout the market.
Les oiseaux qui connaissent Tous les courants de l′air
The birds know all the patterns of the wind and the sky.
Des chevaux, des destinées
The horses represent our destinies and the paths we take in life.
Les canons de la beauté éphémères
The standards of beauty are constantly changing and transitory.
Dans un café chantant quelque part près du Caire
In a singing cafe somewhere near Cairo, life continues to change and evolve.
Sous la toison d′une ville blanche
Under the coat of a white city, memories of childhood resurface.
Surgissent les souvenirs d'enfance
These memories remind us of the joy and innocence of childhood.
Pour une chanson, pour une danse
For a song, for a dance, we are reminded of the joys of life.
L' hiver prends l'âme contre ses hanches
Winter takes hold of our soul, forcing us to experience life in new ways.
Sur les anomalies de l'existence
Life is full of strange coincidences and mysteries.
Dans la paume de la chance
We hold our own destiny in the palm of our hands.
Une fleur à poussé sur la fange
Even in the darkest places, beauty can still bloom.
Writer(s): Chuck Berry
Contributed by Nora Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.