BLAISE ET BENJAMIN

The last two "Versailles" albums were really good ones. Their symphonic music is mixed with some very sexual oriented lyrics (mainly to be noticed on " Don Giovanni").

This album only features four songs. From nine to nineteen minutes. Plenty of time to be able to develop their ideas. The sound is also harder during the title track. We'll even get some portions fully sounding like "The Knife" (around 4'30"). This song might not have the brilliance of their wonderful epic "Une Saint Barthelemy Dévote" released on "Le Trésor de Valliesres" but some great guitar breaks are really the highlights.

Vocals are somewhat "opera" oriented. I am not very much keen on these ones. This epic probably lacks in the fantasy of their earlier work but the more I listen to it, the more I get into (especially during those "The Knife" moments which are really plentyful). Not original but such a nice trip back to my youth. Actually, since I have just reviewed the excellent "Lycanthrope" from "Mangala Vallis" it is a nice extension. Maybe a good idea to listen to these albums consecutively.

This epic is definitely on the hard side of their music. Very pleasant, I have to say.

The second epic (almost twenty minutes) is more in the symphonic style. Some nice flute, spacey passages are available. Vocals parts are also more "normal". There is an incredible guitar solo (but this album is very much a guitar one). So, if this instrument does pleases you, do not hesitate). Some parts will also remind you "Supper's Readdy" (like during "The Mask" from "Mangala"). Most of this song is instrumental. Some spacey breaks combined to "Watcher" ones for the finale concludes this pure nostalgic track. Even some fluting to complete the picture (but more on the Tull side).

"Poison De Passion" is a good song, but maybe not enough personal. To integrate all of these elements is maybe a bit too much. Still, if you like the music I have been describing, you should like this album.

Now, the last two "short" tracks. Just over nine minutes. "La Haine De L'amour" sounds like the early "Ange" (Caricatures"). This song is more keyboards oriented. It is quieter and fully symphonic. Lyrics are sexually oriented. It's about the discovery of love in a brothel and all its consequences (syphilis etc.). A very good song again. Sounds almost as a Crimson one during some instrumental parts as well as during the closing section.

I feel somewhat sad when I see the very little interest for this band on PA. Please, do yourself a favour. Have a try on "Versailles", you won't be disappointed. It is their last album. My recommendation is their fabulous "Le Trésor de Valliesres". Even if you might not get into French lyrics. But come on you guys from France, and the French speaking parts of Switzerland, Canada and Belgium. Just have a listen and please share your views about their work.

The closing number is also very much "Genesis" oriented. A mix between "Broadway Melody of 1974" (from "The Lamb") and "The Kinfe" again. The fourth good song of this album. Nice vocals and again more keyboards than during the two epics.

This album is the third straight good one of "Versailles". I am expecting my order of their debut album to be able to review it on PA. It should arrive next month. This one is a solid four star work.

Forth album and aswell their final one, before some of the members left the band to reform famous '70 french prog band Mona Lisa. Blaise et Benjamin both the album and the opening track is another worthy one for sure and my second best after Don Giovani. Released in 1998 issued at same Musea records, this album is no less fantastic then predecesors. The title track is a killer one, nearly 16 min of pure magic with little jazzy hints on intro, I guess one of the best pieces Versailles ever compose, excelent. Thetrical arrangements, both on vocal department and on music, like a small opera, with omni present keybords , good guitars and very strong druming. Lots of breaks, the musicians going with an amazing ease from mellow parts to a more up tempo, each time with intelligent manuvres and captivating parts. A real solid band that goes rather to unoticed in prog circles, they need a far more wider recognition even they are disbanded for more then 10 years now. Very intelligent band that I think at least in the '90 has no competition from other french prog bands. 4 stars again easely, all 3 albums are recommended , maybe their first one is only ok, but after that they realy break ice and created something unique.

This was the last of the four studio albums that VERSAILLES released in the 90's. That third one from 1994 is my favourite despite feeling like the shorter tracks weren't nearly on the level of the longer ones. On this record they eliminate the short tunes as we get four long pieces over 54 minutes of time. And while I feel this final record is more consistent than the third one I'm going against my own rule and going for that third one as my favourite warts and all.

This record feels more mature, more confident even the vocalist getting more passionate at times. The album opens with two monster tracks, the opener the title track at over 15 minutes then "Poison De Passion" at over 19 minutes. The opener is led at first by the keyboards and guitar and I like the sound before one of many calms arrives. When it kicks back in the vocals become the focus which isn't as good but the contrasts between the powerful and mellow continue. I do like the vocals 4 minutes in as synths continue. We get some organ the guitar starts to light it up followed by a calm. A MAGMA vibe with the vocals and bass which goes on for some time. Nice. This might be the best track on here.

"Poison De Passion" is a beast at over 19 minutes and I love the start but also the flute during that pastoral section which is a good contrast to that determined sound that follows 5 1/2 minutes in. There's a 4 minute calm between 8 and 12 minutes in that I really like. Oh and that guitar solo after 15 minutes is a treat. The final two numbers are just under 10 minutes each beginning with "La Haine De L'amour" which has it's moments but is my least favourite. The closer "Cruel Duel" has some power early on and I like that bass. Vocals follow and they will trade off with the guitar the rest of the way.

Three of the four members here would become part of the comeback album by MONA LISA also released in 1998. I have a great appreciation for the band's final two albums, it's where the talent and ideas shone the brightest.