We took pictures of ourselves and tried
to imitate the monkeys of our minds...
Think of me when I'm close.
A mirror for your heart.
Real seasons make reasons.
Don nino makes domino.
A
puzzle for your heart.
photo of don nino with lori chun berg
and shane aspegren
©
L. Braunshausen 2001
Raised between Europe and America and shaped through years of numerous musical experiences, Nicolas Laureau a.k.a Don Nino is one of those French artists who builds up their own musical idiosyncrasy. This first solo album is a collection of songs which were composed throughout the years he's spent in various musical projects (Prohibition, nlf3 (trio)…). His voice tends to synchronize with the intricate melodies and rhythms created using his various instruments of choice (acoustic guitar, organ, piano, harmonium, electronics).The sober, minimalist poetry of his lyrics, touch a surface and hint at what seems to be a deeply personal source of inspiration.
His uncommon approach to modern urban folk music gives an original form to the songs. The album shifts from a mixture of deconstructed pop and bittersweet bossa nova ("Few seconds a day" and "I'm the weathercock") to shades of jazz ("Falling trees" and "Southern sister") to darker atmospheres ("You & Polly" and "Case ifÉ") to the deeply introspective ("We all look the same", "To the east" and "My number one"). Far from easy listening, Don Nino still uses a great sensitivity, an original sense of composition, and the combination of acoustic and electronic sounds to show a new path into a modern universe of various melodies, rhythms and sounds.
The album was produced and recorded by Fabrice Laureau (a.k.a. F.Lor) who has also recorded as of late: Yann Tiersen, Francoiz Breut, Herman Dune, Dirty Three, Patton… Again, one will recognize his subtle way of using fine tone qualities, natural dynamics and room sounds all together to help capture the subtleties of the music.
The guitar, voice, drums and piano were recorded live in Paris at PUSH and at Les Instants ChavirŽs (one of the best avant garde clubs in France), in February 2001. Don Nino composed and arranged all of the songs.
Guests on the album are: Ludovic Morillon :drums, Lori Chunberg : drums and trumpet. André Herman Dune -clarinet on and cornet.
For the "Real seasaons make reasons" tour, Don was accompanied by Lori Chunberg on Wurlitzer, guitar, and trumpet and Shane Aspegren on drums. see pictures of shows
