Customer Reviews

Caravane

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful album, both well-produced yet raw at the same time. I found this album a few weeks ago and it was the first I have heard of Raphael.

I don't understand any of the lyrics since I don't know French, yet the music, melodies, instrumentation locked me in either way.

I've been searching for translated lyrics for Caravane to no avail. If anyone has English translations of Caravane, please send them my way. My E-mail is: cashiado@yahoo.com

If you like music with romantic style, grace, instrumentation, and melodies, you'll enjoy this album.

Marco

Raphael Haroche is relatively popular in his home country of France, and with good reason. His music is well thought out, and his lyrics are thought provoking and interesting. He is lamentably unknown in America, however. This is mostly due to the fact that his lyrics, a truly central focus of his music, are in French.

This is hands-down Raphael's best cd. My favorite songs are Caravane (the most popular song from the CD in France) and Shengen. This music reminds me greatly of Norwegian singer Sondre Lerche, who has garnered some popularity in the States.

His voice and his words are a perfect mix of so many ingredients: both naive and sage, raw and gentle, compassionate and mocking, delivering heartbreak and betraying a broken heart. Returning from France this summer, I heard "Schengen" on the plane, and from the very first second I was hooked. It's a light, airy, Manu Chao-giddy tune that becomes addictive immediately. Having bought the album and giving it its first few spins, I was astounded by Raphael's range of styles. So many elements, so many inflections. When I heard "Chanson pour Patrick Dewaere," I thought, "wow, it's Jeff Buckley, only actually French!" Then there were moments that were positively Bowie-esque. Russian gypsy airs, appropriately accompanying "Caravane." The playful insouciance of "Ne partons pas faches," which resonates in the quieter, more thoughtful, yet equally optimistic "Et dans 150 ans" and "C'est bon aujourd'hui," and is transformed into introspective contemplation in "Les routes de nuit." An unselfconscious generosity of spirit and compassion permeates every song. Can't wait to hear more. *** UPDATE*** Hotel de l'univers is rougher, but equally fascinating.

Oh mon Dieu!! quel beau! what can i say about raphael....well i love his music and just everything about him. It was just last month when i visited France that i heard his music. Schengen!! oh my God the French love this song it was on the radio like every ten minutes!! and of course you can't help loving this song, nor the artist. His music and the lyrics are so beautiful and full of life; whenever i hear his music it reminds me of France et je vis encore!! I just love Raphael what else can i say. Je lui aime, il est le mieux et duh le plus beau!!

This CD is amazing and so is Raphael. His voice blended with the music is a wonderful combination that will make anyone appreciate him. I would recommend buying this CD and I can't wait to own the rest of his albums.

I love this CD. Having only listened to it once so far, I would say the best songs are "Caravane", "Ne partons pas fâchés", and "Peut-être a-t-il rêvé". Normally artists don't remind me of other artists, but when I listened to "Peut-être a-t-il rêvé" it actually reminded me of Rufus Wainwright, whose music I also enjoy.
The only song on the CD that I don't really like is "Funambule", which is an instrumental and quite repetitive. I agree with others that Raphael's lyrics are a central focus of his songs, so to have a song without any lyrics kind of made me sad.
That being said, the rest of the album is strong, so I still give it 5 stars.
Also, you can enjoy this music without knowing French, but I think you'll enjoy it more if you understand the lyrics. If you don't know any French you can always Google the lyrics to get a basic idea of what the songs are about.

Thanks to my satelite TV in Arabia I tune into MCM French Music Channel. Here I discovered Raphael. Sex on legs!!! Not only does he look great in a hippish kind of way but what a voice to go with it. Brings to mind a mix between Bob Dylan and Neil Young but yet has Raphael has his own magical voice. I will be buying the CD Caravane and telling my friends to get listening to his music.

I just got finished listening to the CD "Caravane," which I ordered from Amazon, having been alerted it by my daughter, who was in Paris two weeks ago. This album reminded me of Dylan, of about the time of "Don't Think Twice," or Patrick Bruel, in the era of "Alors Regardes." There is skillful use of gypsy dance rhtymn in one song; Arab music in another. At times, the voice of the singer is plaintive, in the style of Alain Souchon or Stephen Eicher. I noted from a sticker that the artist will be at The Olympia Music Hall the third week in March 2006. With a booking like that, it is evident that this young singer will be big, for years to come.

This is my first time hearing of Raphael. This is his third album and in my opinion (after listening to his other two.) this is his best work! Best songs are caravane, petites bateaux, peut etre a t il, Schenegen, Et dans 150 ans, I almost named the whole album. As I said, Magnifique work!

It's a rare occurrence when I purchase an album and like every song on it... but it happened with this one. You don't need to speak French to tune into the undercurrent of emotion on this album. The title track is quite possibly one of the most gracefully beautiful, romantic songs of all time. Raphael is a true artist.