Search - Hadrien Feraud :: Hadrien Feraud

Power, passion and beauty

Kerst!n | 07/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Power, Passion and Beauty", those words occurred to me while listening to my favourite songs of the album "Clair Obscur", "Shall we Love" and "Jet Sun Dance".



I feel the power in the vigorous drums and the virtuoso guitar solos, passion in the masterly accordion and lyrical bass tunes, which are literally telling a story to me - and all of a sudden the tension culminates in pure beauty like a window that opens...



Vintage keyboards and alienated noises are complementing the sound collages.



I know that I didn't came up with that expression "Power, Passion and Beauty".



It's actually a book title from the book about "The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra" by Walter Kolosky. it seems fitting, though, somehow, because the founder of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin proved again his sense for new talents. Only after listening a minute to Hadrien Feraud's demo track, which someone had forwarded to him, he knew that he wanted to work with the (at the time) 20 years old bassist. This led to Hadrien's participation on John Mc Laughlin's last album "Industrial Zen", on which he plays on two songs, "Senor C S" and "For Jaco".



Now, on "Hadrien Feraud", John McLaughlin not only returns the favour. It's more like a walk into the future with an amazing new talent, a compliment! One of John Mclaughlin's former pieces "Hijacked" from the album "Que Alegria" finds a new interpretation with Hadrien in "High Jacked". None of them ranks behind in brilliance and breathtaking tempo.



And there's more to it than that, also the American jazz-pianist Chick Corea asked him for a recording session and invited him to participate in his new electric band "The Freedom Band".



Every lover of fusion jazz must not miss the opportunity to enjoy this exceptional album of "The Next Jaco" Hadrien Feraud."

Jaco? No, but great nonetheless.

Tom L. Pittman | Eagle River, Alaska | 02/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've noticed that some people on Amazon.com vote a review as not helpful when in truth they just didn't agree with it. I'm sure I'll get some of those retaliation votes for this review, but I am honestly trying to be helpful.



If you buy this album thinking you are getting "the next Jaco," you will be disappointed.



While I DO LIKE THIS ALBUM and greatly admire Hadrien Feraud's natural gift as a bass player, Hadrien Feraud's debut album has no where NEAR the compositional brilliance of Jaco's debut album.



That's not to say it isn't a worthwhile purchase, because it is.



In fact, Hadrien Feraud debut album is a MUST HAVE all students of the electric bass.



But it would be more accurate to compare Hadrien Feraud to Matthew Garrison or Gary Willis than to Jaco (more Garrison than Willis, especially in tone).



Besides, calling Hadrien the next Jaco does Hadrien a disservice. It sets expectations high enough to leave you disappointed if he wasn't Jaco enough for you, and could cause you to not appreciate the talent that is there in the music. And there is plenty of talent in the music.



Hadrien's speed and technique are astonishing. Thankfully, Hadrien doesn't just fly through scales and licks in an effort to impress us with his chops; most of his playing says something.



This isn't a bass album per se, like Victor Wooten often does. All instruments have nearly equal prominence carrying melody lines and trading solos.



The disc comes in a "tri-fold" cardboard case, which meticulously outlines details such as the musicians on each song. It does not tell us, however, what basses Hadrien is playing, what rigs he is using, or what effects.



The album appears to have been made in a home studio, which I LOVE. Today's technology has changed the rules for today's music, and it is nice to see an album aware of that. Of course, record companies or the RIAA may not see it that way, but I'm glad I could buy this on Amazon. It couldn't be more convenient.



You know how sometimes an album needs listening to many times before you can appreciate it? I've had this album for more than a month now, and while Hadrien's tone does nothing for me, I am enjoying the album more than when I first heard it.



Hadrien Feraud has a promising career ahead of him, and if he continues to grow at the rate he has so far, could become an important figure on every bass player's radar. Having his first album is a must then.

"