Zen (Zazie album)
Encyclopedia
Zen is a 1995 album recorded by French
pop
singer Zazie
. It was her second studio album and was released on 7 January 1995. The album achieved success in francophone countries and provided five singles (two of them were only released as promotional singles): "Larsen" (#38 in France), "Zen" (#23 in France) and "Un point c'est toi" (#24 in France).
, Phil Baron
and Vincent-Marie Bouvot also participated in this album.
"Zen" was recorded in a cellar named Unrealworld Studios, as reference to Realworld Studios of Peter Gabriel
where he had recorded his first album. This album was supported by a 42-concert tours throughout France, including three shows at La Cigale
in Paris
.
The music video for "Larsen" was produced by Phillippe André and won the prize of 'best music video' at the 1996 Victoires de la Musique
. And for the song "Je t'aime mais", it was a tribute to Serge Gainsbourg
.
1 Only available on the 1996 issue
Recording and photo
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...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer Zazie
Zazie
Zazie is a French singer and songwriter. Zazie co-produces all her albums.-Early life:...
. It was her second studio album and was released on 7 January 1995. The album achieved success in francophone countries and provided five singles (two of them were only released as promotional singles): "Larsen" (#38 in France), "Zen" (#23 in France) and "Un point c'est toi" (#24 in France).
Recording
The vast majority of the lyrics and the music of the album were written and composed by Zazie. However, Pascal ObispoPascal Obispo
Pascal Michel Obispo is a French singer/songwriter.Pascal Obispo started singing in 1980. He got his first record deal in 1990, Le long du fleuve. With his second album, Plus que tout au monde, selling over 2 million albums, his songs became a popular success...
, Phil Baron
Phil Baron
Philip Mitchell Baron is an American voice actor, puppeteer and songwriter who voiced Piglet in the Disney Channel live-action/puppet television series Welcome to Pooh Corner...
and Vincent-Marie Bouvot also participated in this album.
"Zen" was recorded in a cellar named Unrealworld Studios, as reference to Realworld Studios of Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
where he had recorded his first album. This album was supported by a 42-concert tours throughout France, including three shows at La Cigale
La Cigale
La Cigale is a theater at 120, boulevard de Rochechouart near Place Pigalle, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. The theatre is part of a complex that is connected to Le Trabendo and the Boule Noire. The hall can accommodate 1389 people or 954 people...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
The music video for "Larsen" was produced by Phillippe André and won the prize of 'best music video' at the 1996 Victoires de la Musique
Victoires de la Musique
Victoires de la musique , is an annual French award ceremony that recognizes the best musical artists of the year.- Male artist of the year :*1985 : Michel Jonasz*1986 : Jean-Jacques Goldman*1987 : Johnny Hallyday...
. And for the song "Je t'aime mais", it was a tribute to Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...
.
Track listings
| Title | Length | Author(s) | Composer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Fou de toi" | 3:19 | Zazie | Vincent-Marie Bouvot, Zazie |
| "Homme sweet homme" | 3:36 | Zazie | Zazie |
| "Larsen" | 4:21 | Zazie | Vincent-Marie Bouvot, Zazie |
| "Un point c'est toi" | 3:32 | Zazie | Vincent-Marie Bouvot, Zazie |
| "Je t'aime mais" | 4:18 | Zazie | Zazie |
| "Zen" | 3:53 | Zazie | Pascal Obispo Pascal Obispo Pascal Michel Obispo is a French singer/songwriter.Pascal Obispo started singing in 1980. He got his first record deal in 1990, Le long du fleuve. With his second album, Plus que tout au monde, selling over 2 million albums, his songs became a popular success... |
| "Craque monsieur" | 3:45 | Zazie | Vincent-Marie Bouvot |
| "Au diable nos adieux" | 4:37 | Zazie | Vincent-Marie Bouvot, Zazie |
| "Hissée haut" | 3:50 | Zazie | Zazie |
| "Une souris verte" | 3:40 | Zazie | Zazie |
| "J'envoie valser" | 2:51 | Zazie | Phil Baron |
| "La la la" | 4:00 | Zazie | Zazie |
| "Homme sweet homme remix / les moutons…" 1 | 13:41 | Vincent-Marie Bouvot, Zazie | Vincent-Marie Bouvot, Zazie |
1 Only available on the 1996 issue
Credits and personnel
Musician- Accordion : Phil Baron
- Acoustic guitar, background vocals : Pascal Obispo
- Bass : Nicolas Fiszman, Laurent Gueneau and Pierre Jaconelli
- Clavichord : Vic Emerson, Vincent-Marie Bouvot and Zazie
- Cristal bachet : Thomas Bloch
- Djembe, fute de pong : Nicolas Fiszman
- Drums : Nicolas Ackermann and Yvan Ackermann
- Electric guitar : Laurent Gueneau and Pierre Jaconelli
- Guitar : Michael Ohayon, Nicolas Fiszman, Stéphane Reichart, Kamil Rustam, Laurent Gueneau, Pierre Jaconelli and Vincent-Marie Bouvot
- Multi instruments : Steve Shehan
- Organ (hammond) : Jean Mora
- Organ, piano : Zazie
- Percussion, scratching : Dee Nasty
- Udu and shakoeuf Yvan Ackermann
- Uillean pipes : Marc Pollier
- Strings : Vincent-Marie Bouvot
Recording and photo
- Mixing : Nick Davis, Zazie, Phil Delire and Vincent-Marie Bouvot
- Mixing assistant : Shaun DeFeo
- Executive producer Caroline Molko
- Programming : Zazie, Vincent-Marie Bouvot and Pascal Obispo
- Photo : Youri Lenquette and Jean-Christophe Polien
Certifications and sales
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Gold | 1996 | 100,000 |
Charts
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart | 15 |
| French SNEP Albums Chart | 8 |
| End of year chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| French Albums Chart | 33 |
| End of year chart (1997) | Position |
| Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart | 77 |