Customer Reviews

Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba (Special Edition)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I confirm what Kim Alexandre said in a previous review. This CD is just awesome. I disagree with the reviewer who suggested one would need to see the show to appreciate the music. I heard the CD first and fell in love with Dessy Di Lauro's voice, style, and application. I'm not sure what heaven sounds like, but the farthest reach of my imagination tells me it sounds like her. The urban/jazz (at times an almost Russian style) in between her vocals serve to animate the "spiritual journey." Incredible. Just incredible.

PS Having just returned from Orlando and "Downtown Disney", I finally saw the show and it did indeed live up to my expectations. Indeed, it was the highlight of my Orlando trip.

La Nouba being Cirque latest permanent production is French for "to party" and thus leaves you with a certain expectation level of the music, especially when you know that Benoît Jutras, the man who gave us the magical, wonderful music of "Quidam" and "O" wrote all the titles.

Having said that La Nouba is a good album, very good at times, although neither of the songs have the wonderful, dramatic sound of which makes "O" so great. La Nouba makes this up with One thing: Rhythm. All but a few songs are very danceable, yet not think party music put more of a house/techno style: "music with balls".

As with almost all Cirque albums so far, you really need to get used to the music, this One evens tops Mystere Live in that department. Although the rhythm is good, a bit more melody would not have hurt the songs at all; a bit less of guitars wouldn't be so much of a problem either. Lead vocalist Dessy has a good voice, however it would be nice to hear some phonetic words instead of the "lalalas" and "ohohos" such is the case on all the other albums except for the very first three.

The opening song, [Once Upon a time] has a great beat to it and the melody in the background is heavily borrowed from two of Jutras's earlier pieces from Quidam: [Atmadja] and [Steel Dream]. [A Tale] is a wonderful combination of rap, rhythm and blues and choir singing. One of the most melodic songs is Porte, which is a bit dreary, in the style of [Desert] from "O". [La Nouba] and [ À la lune] are sort of modern waltzes. Liama is great melodic song in the style of Amazonia building up to a climax middle and then going back to wonderful singing again.

One more thing: for the ones of you who are desperate to find the "diabolo song" which is not on the Quidam CD but is in the show: It is on La Nouba! O.K. in a slightly different mix, but I am quite sure that [Jardin Chinois] has the same basic tones as the diabolo song from Quidam... This counts also for the second part of Queens, which borrows heavily from the song that is played during the handbalancing act in Quidam.

In short La Nouba is Cirque on steroids: rougher, less lyrical and has more beat to it that all Cirque albums combined. If this is your first Cirque album or if you did not see the show, you are most likely to need quite a few times before enjoying this album. If you are a Cirque "freak" like I am you need to buy La Nouba, if only just for hearing [Jardin Chinois] and new mixes of old themes... I can't wait to hear Dralion!

Of all the provocative Cirque du Soleil albums, this one is the darkest and most challenging.... It weaves in the subversive energy of contemporary urban/electronic beats in mind-bending ways. Benoit Jutras finished "La Nouba" right on the heels of "O," which had an utterly different, much more symphonic sound with African tinges. Here we flirt ecstatically with the unrestrained energy of hip hop, of gospel, of rap, as Jutras quietly sculpts them into something new and breathtaking, an emotional rollercoaster. The level of musical mastery is beyond reproach here. This is the fullest realization of director Franco Dragone's darkest, wildest fantasies. Unlike the mainstream genres it samples, it is not just ear candy. From the shuddering dystopia of Track 1 through the final burst of bliss, La Nouba expresses an artistry without apologies -- it will make you want to dance, scream, laugh, cry, drive fast, change your life, experience the extremes of love and passion. Can I give this 6 stars? I mean, holy cow.

my marching band is playing the songs Distorted, Reve Rouge, Ala Lune, and Urban for our show. THese songs are cool

This soundtrack is amazing, I bought it at La Nouba after going to the show in Downtown Disney... they are amazing live!!! and the music is really calming and soothing... this is a definate must buy for anyone who, like me, truly loved the show OR who just enjoys great music.

Well... I've been reading these reviews and I don't think many people have that great a taste in music(no offense^_^')Alot of negetive stuff... Well... I bought the CD "La Nouba" and I loved it! It made me a fan in an instant! Now, I'm a teen-ager and I usually listen to other styles of music like rock and stuff and don't normally listen to things like opera. But this... this changed the way I listen to music forever! I love the circusie kind of tune to it! And some of the songs are really marvolis(don't mind the spelling please...)Also the singers in there did a great job! Benoit Jutras is a marvoulas music writer/composer, but If you love new age and opera put together as one, I'm deffinetly sure and suggest that you buy "La Nouba".You'll love it. I even saw the show in Downtown Disney! Loved it also!

I recently saw the show in Orlando and I was mesmerized by the female's voice. I was in such an awe that after the show I purchased the cd. I love every song especially the ones that dessy's is lead singer. I find the music quite fun and uplifting. This is a great cd and you're missing a treat if you don't purchase it.

wow i didnt know so many schools would be doing la mouba for their marching band show this year because my high school is doing it too. i think the music is great especially urban, distorted, reve rouge, and a la lune.

The creativity of the Cirque du Soleil troop never ceases to amaze and delight me. At the core of their world class, and breath taking performances, beats the heart of their original and finely crafted musical compositions. All of their musical numbers have a unique identity with subtle influences that paint lavish images of a place, a time, and a mood. La Nouba's soundtrack is clearly the most urban, post-modern of all of their works, and sets the mood for some high energy, stimulating yet soothing reflections. This is truly World Class.

I have four other Cirque soundtracks and LN is by far the most dynamic. There are whimsical numbers, jazz influences, serious guitar work and soaring vocals. After many listens, it is still enjoyable and fresh.