Nino Ferrer - Nino And Radiah Et Le Sud '1974

Tracks list

Taking into account Nino Ferrer's personal view of his discography, the album
Nino and Radiah should be perceived as his third album (although chronologically
this was in fact number seven). It followed the prog rock approach of 1971's
Métronomie and the rock & roll leanings of the Mickey Finn collaboration Nino
Ferrer & Leggs from 1973. The album is partly named after Afro-American singer
Radiah Frye, and her pinup presence flanking Ferrer substantially upgraded the
original album cover. Accompanied by the Lafayette Afro Rock Band (aka Ice),
Ferrer set out on yet another shape-shifting exercise. Building on the groovy
vibe of Métronomie, the album ultimately steers toward majestically
orchestrated, laid-back funk. Entirely different from his earlier take on
Southern soul, the result requires several listenings before it gently entangles
your subconscious and reveals its addictive qualities. Reminiscent of the New
Orleans-inspired funk of Little Feat and California singer/songwriters from the
same era, it's perfect company for driving the French countryside or West Coast
highways. It was recorded in November 1973 and sung in English with one
exception. Ferrer's longtime accomplice Bernard Estardy rearranged the track
"South," adding some widescreen organ touches. The resulting "Le Sud" had huge
commercial appeal, much to the chagrin of Ferrer: he felt the artistic
compromise of aiming at chart success had rendered everything else on the album
pointless in a similar way to what had happened previously to Métronomie and
its leadoff track, "La Maison Près de la Fontaine." However, the royalties
did enable him to buy a 15th century fortress in the Quercy region, where he
would retreat between albums and divide his time between his family and
painting. "Le Sud"/"South" refers to a Louisiana-style mansion situated in
Italy: a pleasant and idyllic place where the moody Ferrer seeks refuge from his
dark side. Both versions serve as bookends to the album, which works best as a
whole. Still, standout tracks are the funky "Mint Julep" (a relative of the
Mojito cocktail) with its fuzzy guitar and the lengthy but mesmerizing "Hot
Toddy." "The Garden" with its lazy organ and the bongo-laden "New York" sound
fairly close to what the French band Air would build an entire career on.
Remaining a relatively undiscovered gem, Nino and Radiah is in fact up there
with classics like Melody Nelson and Polnareff's. [This CD release of the album
adds the slightly disappointing, less coherent follow-up album Suite en Oeuf and
unfortunately sports a different album cover.]

Tracklist:
1.01 - Nino Ferrer - South (Album Version) (5:01) 
1.02 - Nino Ferrer - Moses (Album Version) (4:45) 
1.03 - Nino Ferrer - Mint Julep (Album Version) (4:02) 
1.04 - Nino Ferrer - Hot Toddy (Album Version) (8:40) 
1.05 - Nino Ferrer - Vomitation (Album Version) (2:36) 
1.06 - Nino Ferrer - The Garden (Album Version) (4:20) 
1.07 - Nino Ferrer - Looking For You (Album Version) (5:50) 
1.08 - Nino Ferrer - New York (Album Version) (5:04) 
1.09 - Nino Ferrer - Le sud (Album Version) (4:36)

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