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
Rambling talk
Lo'Jo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the lip of slavery
A shape of beauty
Crossing the southern cross
In the bush,
A shape of beauty
When a bongo man a come
Remembering a dance for black-mesa.
Spoiled, betrayed, tracked down
Like the Tasmanian tiger.
Rambling tlak, rambling talk, Jo!
A shape of glory on the pupil of poverty
I'd brek up into the jive'talk of beggar's prophecy,
Into the faint differences of shade, in the hand of the bass
Riding the algebraic comet.
A shape of beauty
On the lip of slavery
Crossing the southern
Cross in the bush,
When a Dublin'suburb whispered a smile to sadness.
Rambling tlak, rambling talk, Jo!
The lyrics of Lo'Jo's song "Rambling Talk" explore themes of beauty, cultural diversity, and resistance against oppression. The song starts by describing a "shape of beauty" that exists on the edge of slavery. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the resilience and strength of marginalized communities. The mention of the southern cross and the bush suggests a location in Africa, where these struggles are depicted.
The lyrics then shift to a nostalgic remembrance of a bongo man and a dance dedicated to Black Mesa, which could refer to a historical event or a symbolic representation of resistance. The following line, "A stretch of flavor and signs into the Tamasheck's tongue, spoiled, betrayed, tracked down like the Tasmanian tiger," further emphasizes the singers' feelings of nostalgia and the loss of a cultural heritage. The reference to the Tasmanian tiger, an extinct species, adds a layer of tragedy to the song, highlighting the destructive impact of colonization and cultural erasure.
The repeated refrain of "rambling talk, rambling talk, Jo!" can be interpreted as a call to action, urging listeners to engage in conversation and dialogue about these important issues. It serves as a reminder of the power of words and the need to speak up against injustice. The lyrics also touch upon the concept of poverty and the potential for glory or beauty existing within it. Additionally, the reference to a Dublin suburb whispering a smile to sadness suggests that even in unlikely places, hope and joy can be found.
Overall, "Rambling Talk" portrays a complex blend of emotions, from nostalgia and loss to resilience and resistance. It encourages listeners to recognize the beauty in diversity, remember and honor their cultural heritage, and engage in conversations that challenge oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
A shape of beauty
Something that is visually pleasing and appealing
On the lip of slavery
In the midst of oppression and forced labor
A shape of beauty
Still maintaining its visual attractiveness
Crossing the southern cross
Traveling across the constellation of stars known as the Southern Cross
In the bush
In the wild and remote areas
A shape of beauty
Continuing to possess aesthetic appeal
When a bongo man a come
When a drummer with African influence arrives
Remembering a dance for black-mesa
Recalling a dance performed in honor of the black community
A stretch of flavor and signs into the Tamasheck's tongue
Bringing a unique blend of tastes and cultural symbols to the Tamasheck language
Spoiled, betrayed, tracked down
Subjected to mistreatment, betrayal, and pursuit
Like the Tasmanian tiger
Similar to the extinct Tasmanian tiger, facing the threat of disappearing
Rambling talk, rambling talk, Jo!
An expression of scattered and aimless conversation or speech
A shape of glory on the pupil of poverty
A remarkable and admirable presence in the midst of deprived circumstances
I'd break up into the jive'talk of beggar's prophecy
I would immerse myself in the lively language and predictions of a destitute person
Into the faint differences of shade, in the hand of the bass
Exploring subtle variations in musical tones created by the bass instrument
Riding the algebraic comet
Experiencing a journey or adventure guided by mathematical principles
When a Dublin'suburb whispered a smile to sadness
When a region outside Dublin conveyed a message of happiness to counteract sadness
Rambling talk, rambling talk, Jo!
Continuation of scattered and aimless conversation or speech
Writer(s): Mathieu Rousseau, Nadia Nid El Mourid, Denis Pean, Nicolas Meslien, Yamin Nid El Mourid, Richard Rousseau, Philiippe Brix
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.