Jay-Jay Johanson lastest album “Poison”(BMG) is a Hitchcockian exploration of the darker side of the traditional love ballad and broken-hearted chanson. The mood is low, but his enervation stems from the fact that he writes songs directly from his diary, translating from Swedish to English. “I’m singing in my own words, but not in my mother tongue,” explains the crooner. “It would be too much to think some of the things that have happened to me in my own language. It feels good to have a little distance.”
If this sounds completely depressing, his live set is more upbeat. “There is more energy on stage and the songs become more rapid in delivery than on the album,” he reassures us. “When I first played in France, we were booked to play small venues with a seated audience and I hated that. When they realized we brought much more energy to the live show, we changed to standing audience venues.”
So, stand up and listen to Jay-Jay’s sweet warbling at the suitably non-seated Elysée Montmartre, 72 bd de Rochechouart, 18e, M°Anvers, Nov 20, 7.30pm, 132F.
Rock/Pop
Placebo The androgynous Brian Molko and the audacious guitar rocked-pop of Placebo get dressed up at L’Olympia, Nov 4 & 5, 8pm, 170F
Chris Rea In town following his recent tour with Dire Straits. The guitarist is said to be suffering from Dire-Rea. Zénith, Nov 8
Coldplay Their “Parachutes” LP led to Radiohead comparisons, but these freshers are much more modest and ego-free. For now. La Cigale, Nov 10, 7pm, 168F
Savage Garden Australian duo Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones showcase new single “Hold Me” at an exclusive gig at L’Olympia, Nov 12, 8pm, 156F
Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes Led Zeppelin guitarist shakes his “money-maker” to songs previously released in his Zoso days. Zénith, Nov 13, 8pm, 242-352F
Jefferson Starship After the Airplane took off and left orbit in 1972, Paul Kantner fell to earth and formed the Starship. They’ll be flying high at the Bataclan, Nov 16, 8pm, 154F
Ryan Adams No, not Bryan but Ryan. Paris solo debut from the Whiskey Town singer and “Heartbroken” guitarist at Hôtel du Nord, Nov 22, 8pm, 120F/100F
Electro/Hip Hop/Soul
FFF Funky French Farmers? Not quite, but this rap crew will still cause a road block at the Zénith, Nov 2, 8pm, 146F
Jill Scott Philly home-girl bumps out lazy funk and spoken word hip hop at the Elysée Montmartre, Nov 10, 7.30pm, 138F
St. Germain Ludovic Navarre’s tourist inspired jazz-house cuts with Eric Mingus and Tommy Hools at L’Olympia, Nov 9, pm, 168F
Roni Size Reprazent Bristol’s explosive drum’n’bass crew tear up La Cigale, Nov 10, 7pm, 168F
Kelis Space age R&B from the 21-year-old face of psychedelic soul, with Romanthony and Gonzales. La Cigale, Nov 12, 7pm, 168F
Asian Dub Foundation Aggressive, Asian underground revolutionaries mark the release of their “Community Music” remix album. Zénith, Nov 16, 7.30pm, 154F
Jazz
Ahmad Jamal The piano-jazz master plays a one-off gig to celebrate his 70th birthday. Unmissable! L’Olympia, Nov 6, 8.30pm, 181-258F
Carlos Maza Trio The young Chilean pianist plays neo-latin jazz from serene album “Tiera Fertil.” L’Européen, Nov 6, pm, 100F
French Roast US Acid-jazz duo showcase their new caffeine-inspired single “Frappacino.” Venue to be announced on www.theloveempire.com, Nov 6
Taj Mahal Afro-american blues guitarist takes his Phantom Blues Band back to the ’70s. Le Trabendo, Nov 14, 8.30pm, 158F
Front Page Hold the presses! Franco-american trio make headlines at New Morning, Nov 15 & 16, 9pm, 130F
Paolo Fresu Acclaimed Italian trumpet player comes to town with his Quintet. New Morning, Nov 17, 8pm, 100F
Chanson/World
Patricia Kaas Cavernous voiced chanteuse gives it her all with the Paris Symphonic Orchestra at the Palais des Congrès, Nov 2, 8.30pm, 192-322F
Patrick Bruel “Patr- ee-eek” rediscovers his Algerian roots just in time to miss the raï craze. Zénith, Nov 6 & 7, 8.30pm, 215F
Axelle Red Belgium’s flame-haired one sets alight L’Olympia, Nov 7 & 8, 8.30pm, 214-302F
Fania New arrival on the African pop scene sings songs from debut album “Sopi” at the Péniche Boer 2, Nov 9, 18, 23, 30, 9pm, 112F
Etienne Daho Still riding high on the outstanding success of comeback album “Corps et Armes” at L’Olympia, Nov 14-19, 8.30pm, 219F
Venues
Bataclan 50 bd Voltaire, 11e, M° Oberkampf, tel: 01 47 00 30 12
La Cigale 120 bd de Rochechouart, 18e, M° Anvers/Pigalle, tel: 01 49 25 89 99
L’Elysée-Montmartre 72 bd de Rochechouart, 18e, M° Anvers, tel: 01 55 07 06 00
L’Européen 5 rue Biot, 17e, M° Place de Clichy, tel: 01 43 87 97 13
Hôtel du Nord 102 quai de Jemmapes, 10e, M° Jaurès, tel: 01 53 19 98 88
New Morning 7-9 rue des Petites Ecuries, 10e, M° Château d’Eau, tel: 01 45 23 51 41
L’Olympia 28 bd des Capucines, 9e, M° Opéra, tel: 01 47 42 82 45
Palais de Congrès 2 pl Porte Maillot, 17e, M° Porte Maillot, tel: 01 40 68 00 05
La Péniche Boer 2 Quai de la Gare, 13e, M° Quai de la Gare, tel: 01 45 85 40 32
Le Trabendo La Villette, av Jean Jaurès, 19e, M° Porte de Pantin, tel: 01 49 25 89 99
Zénith 211 av Jean Jaurès, 19e, M° Porte de Pantin, no box office
