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
La danseuse
Lo'Jo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Récolté le pistil des fleurs profanes
Dans le jardin incendié du monde
Et distillé l'impatience
J'ai dansé dans mon cœur le feu
Et les hayons de l'histoire
Et les maladresses humaines
The first line of these lyrics of Lo'Jo's song "La danseuse" describes dancing the tango in a setting that is not romantic, but rather the Lilacs Bar. Despite the unconventional nature of the setting, the singer gathers "pistil des fleurs profanes" or the seemingly intimate parts of flowers, creating a metaphor. The second line sees the singer metaphorically navigate through the burning garden of the world, implying that they have experienced the world's turmoil, war, and conflict, and collected the raw emotions that come with it. The third line, "Distilled impatience," is an essential detail that signifies how the singer not only witnessed but also internalized the world's tangible feelings, boiling them down to understandings they can carry with them.
The second half of the lyrics of "La danseuse" speaks of dancing in the singer's heart the fire and the errors of history and humans. The fire in their heart refers to a passion that embodies the essence of living, whereas the "hayons de l'histoire" or the gates of history imply the possession of knowledge, and the understanding of past human endeavors. Despite making mistakes, heading down a wrong path, and human imperfections, they repeatedly try to balance emotional highs with excess tenderness.
This song is about the dancers living a life full of adventure and memories, taking it all in and enjoying the moment while being aware of the complexities that coexist life, such as hurt and love: a life that is ongoing and, ultimately, a fight for survival.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai dansé le tango au bar des lilas
I danced the tango at the bar of lilacs
Récolté le pistil des fleurs profanes
Harvested the stigma of profane flowers
Dans le jardin incendié du monde
In the world's blazing garden
Et distillé l'impatience
And distilled impatience
J'ai dansé dans mon cœur le feu
I danced with fire in my heart
Et les hayons de l'histoire
And the hindrances of history
Et les maladresses humaines
And the human awkwardnesses
L'excès de la tendresse
The excess of tenderness
Writer(s): Lo'jo
Contributed by Cameron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@francelibre26
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