MANU LANVIN: Tribute To Calvin Russell (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Manu Lanvin owes his love of the blues to Calvin Russell. Before his decisive encounter with the Texan with the craggy face and gravelly voice, the Frenchman had dabbled in many styles: rock, electro, film music... But it was his friendship with Calvin Russell, marked with the red-hot iron of the blues, that enabled him to find his way at the end of the 2000s, to the point of co-writing and producing the American's testament album, "Dawg Eat Dawg". Since the death of his idol in 2011, Manu Lanvin has never stopped paying tribute to him, so much so that this "Tribute To Calvin Russell" album is an obvious choice, both musically and in terms of the extremely touching respect the bluesman inspires in him, so much so that he had the ingenious idea of including excerpts from Calvin's very last interview between each track, for posterity's sake.

As well as putting the spotlight back on the great artist Calvin Russell was, this album also reminds us of his immense talent as a songwriter. Manu Lanvin selected each track with the greatest care and surrounded himself with the artists best able to interpret them, each in their own style. From Beverly Joe Scott and his velvety voice on the magnificent ballad 'Crossroads' to Neal Black ('Time Flies') and Charlélie Couture ('Too Old Too Grow Up Now') for the blues tracks, from Johnny Gallagher ('Trouble') and young prodigy Théo Charaf ('Nothing Can Save Me') for the folk songs, to Poppa Chubby and Manu Lanvin himself for the bluesiest rock tracks ('Wild Wild West', 'All We Got Is Rock And Roll'), this "Tribute To Calvin Russell" explores the Texan's career in all its musical guises, and gives us the shivers more than once.

On this emotionally-charged, well-produced album, Manu Lanvin celebrates his friendship with Calvin Russell, his love of the music that makes him tick, and his attachment to his family of heart and blood (with '5M2', a duet with his father Gérard). He gives his fellow musicians some wonderful nuggets to perform, such as the beautiful 'Soldier' arranged and translated into French for the occasion, which allows Axel Bauer to sublimate one of the album's most beautiful songs. This "Tribute To Calvin Russell" is the perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover the great Calvin Russell. Manu Lanvin has put into it all the fervor, humility and respect that the Texan bluesman deserves. - Official website

MANU LANVIN

TRIBUTE TO CALVIN RUSSELL

PIAS

ROCK