Lazuli - The Musician Leicester

Really looking forward to seeing French Prog Rockers for the third time. It's a short UK tour for November and December, The highlight being their appearance at Planet Rockstock, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at Trecco Bay.
 The band recently released their latest album “11” or “Onze,” I failed French at school so I can't elaborate much more I'm afraid. Tonight is the first night of the tour at 'The Musician' in Leicester. A new venue for me just over the County border. Certainly a new one for Lazuli too. They seem to specialise in the smaller more obscure locations. Tucked away in a quiet back street in the heart of Leicester, The Musician is the Midlands premier independent music venue. With live music at least six nights a week, it holds 220 people.As we arrive a few band members are braving the cold to enjoy a smoke. They are very friendly and we exchange greetings like old friends.

Since opening in 2000, The Musician's reputation has been built on presenting the very best home grown and international performers in a relaxed and friendly environment. With a supremely eclectic booking policy the venue regularly features everything from contemporary singer-songwriters to rock, blues, folk, ska, punk, world, bluegrass, reggae, metal, soul, indie, avant-garde and Americana. They also serve a more than decent pint of Beer too. Burton Bridge Brewery 'Festival Ale' 5.5%  dark Amber in colour the choice tonight.

Dominique Leonetti

Things get off to something of a stuttering start though. Claude Leonetti looks suspiciously at the Léode, which despite his best efforts is not producing any sound. Brother Dominique offers an explanation that it is a South of France Léode,and doesn't like the cold English weather. Some minor tinkering and we are back in business again. As always all the songs are in their native French. As you would expect much of the new album is played tonight. By my reckoning  seven of the eleven album tracks were played. Eleven tracks on an album called Eleven, their eleventh album released. Nicely balanced, I like that. I was a bit surprised that they had actually released that many. The first album was released in 1999 and wasn't particularly well received I understand. The band are in great form though, 'we are a bit rusty' Dominique tells us.We haven't played for a week now! Any cobwebs are soon blown away. 

Arnaud Beyney

Vincent Barnavol

Claude Leonetti

I think I've said it before?  There are times when If I close my eyes I think I'm listening to Geddy Lee of Rush singing. That really is a big compliment. The music as a whole is hard to categorise. The sounds coming from the Léode are wide and diverse. From eastern Asian sounds to haunting Pink Floyd 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' intro comparisons. It seems to have a sound for every occasion. Something else I've said before is that they deserve to playing bigger venues. Having said that I love the intimacy that goes with the small ones. So maybe I need to be careful what I wish for. 

A happy band of brothers ' lazuli'

I'm not sure that the vibrancy and 'Joie de vivre' of a live performance can be matched by the album. I heard two guys talking and one said to the other 'they don't sound like like they do on my CD. He may well have a point? As the set draws to a close the five band members join up to sing along to 'les mots désuets' (Obsolete Words). A song from the new album. Of course no Lazuli performance would be complete without '9 hands around the Marimba'. Such a beautiful sound that it makes too. After the opening the band divert into The Beatles 'Eleanor Rigby' and the 'Her Comes the Sun'. A great night amongst incredibly talented musicians. The crowd at 'Planet Rockstock' are in for a real treat!