Boucan d'enfer
Encyclopedia
Boucan d'enfer is a studio album
from French
artist Renaud
. It was released in 2002 and published by Virgin Records
. It was Renaud's first production with original material since 1994's À la belle de mai
.
It marked Renaud's comeback to the musical scene after years of alcoholism
. Some of the songs thus refer to this period, especially the first track, Docteur Renaud, Mister Renard which opposes the good and the bad sides of the past and present Renaud in an obvious parody of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. The track was released as a single and proved a minor success hitting number 25 on the French charts.
His separation from his wife is also very present in the lyrics, but the usual social themes haven't been left out either. Petit pédé is the story of a homosexual who left his country town after his coming out. But the song Manhattan-Kaboul, a duet with Belgian
Axelle Red
, became the most recognised song of the album, and one of Renaud's biggest hits (the single spent five months in the French top twenty with two weeks at number 2). In Manhattan-Kaboul Renaud talks about a Puerto Rican
immigrant worker who died in the 9/11 attack, while Axelle Red tells the story of a young Afghan
girl who died when the US-led coalition attacked her country in retaliation. "Corsic'armes" focuses on nationalism in Corsica, the song being dedicated to 'Christel' (Christelle), the widow of assassinated nationalist François Santoni.
Some of the album's songs have more humorous tones, for example Baltique, which is about François Mitterrand
's dog, who wasn't allowed to attend his master's funeral. Renaud writes "But one day, I know God will recognise dogs". L'entarté, on the other hand, is an all-out attack on philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy
, although he is only mentioned as "l'entarté", a reference to his numerous encounters with cream pie flinger Noël Godin
.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
from French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
artist Renaud
Renaud
Renaud, born Renaud Séchan, is a French singer, songwriter and actor.Renaud may also refer to:* Renaud , a male French given name* Renaud , a 1783 opera by Antonio Sacchini* Renaud, Quebec, part of Laval, Quebec...
. It was released in 2002 and published by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. It was Renaud's first production with original material since 1994's À la belle de mai
A la belle de mai
À la Belle de Mai is a studio album from French artist, Renaud. It was released in 1994 by Virgin Records and was awarded a platinum disc for sales in France...
.
It marked Renaud's comeback to the musical scene after years of alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. Some of the songs thus refer to this period, especially the first track, Docteur Renaud, Mister Renard which opposes the good and the bad sides of the past and present Renaud in an obvious parody of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. The track was released as a single and proved a minor success hitting number 25 on the French charts.
His separation from his wife is also very present in the lyrics, but the usual social themes haven't been left out either. Petit pédé is the story of a homosexual who left his country town after his coming out. But the song Manhattan-Kaboul, a duet with Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
Axelle Red
Axelle Red
Axelle Red is a Belgian singer-songwriter.-Biography:She was born at Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, the daughter of Roland Demal, a solicitor in Hasselt and Councillor for the Flemish Liberals and Democrats in the City Council.Nowadays a committed artist and a militant humanist, back in 1993 Axelle...
, became the most recognised song of the album, and one of Renaud's biggest hits (the single spent five months in the French top twenty with two weeks at number 2). In Manhattan-Kaboul Renaud talks about a Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
immigrant worker who died in the 9/11 attack, while Axelle Red tells the story of a young Afghan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
girl who died when the US-led coalition attacked her country in retaliation. "Corsic'armes" focuses on nationalism in Corsica, the song being dedicated to 'Christel' (Christelle), the widow of assassinated nationalist François Santoni.
Some of the album's songs have more humorous tones, for example Baltique, which is about François Mitterrand
François Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
's dog, who wasn't allowed to attend his master's funeral. Renaud writes "But one day, I know God will recognise dogs". L'entarté, on the other hand, is an all-out attack on philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy
Bernard-Henri Lévy
Bernard-Henri Lévy is a French public intellectual, philosopher and journalist. Often referred to today, in France, simply as BHL, he was one of the leaders of the "Nouveaux Philosophes" movement in 1976.-Early life:...
, although he is only mentioned as "l'entarté", a reference to his numerous encounters with cream pie flinger Noël Godin
Noël Godin
Noël Godin is a Belgian writer, critic, actor and notorious cream pie flinger or entarteur. Godin gained global attention in 1998 when his group ambushed Microsoft CEO Bill Gates in Brussels, pelting the software magnate with cream pies...
.
Track listing
- "Docteur Renaud, Mister Renard"
- "Petit pédé"
- "Je vis caché"
- "Coeur perdu"
- "Manhattan-KaboulManhattan-Kaboul"Manhattan-Kaboul" is a French song written by Renaud and composed by Jean-Pierre Bucolo, sung by Renaud in duo with Axelle Red, in the album Boucan d'enfer, released in 2002. It was written in the aftermath of the incidents of September 11, 2001 and the War in Afghanistan...
" (with Axelle RedAxelle RedAxelle Red is a Belgian singer-songwriter.-Biography:She was born at Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, the daughter of Roland Demal, a solicitor in Hasselt and Councillor for the Flemish Liberals and Democrats in the City Council.Nowadays a committed artist and a militant humanist, back in 1993 Axelle...
) - "Elle a vu le loup"
- "Tout arrêter..."
- "Baltique"
- "L'entarté"
- "Boucan d'enfer"
- "Mon nain de jardin"
- "Mal barrés"
- "Corsic'armes"
- "Mon bistrot préféré"