Les Négresses Vertes, which formed in 1987, is a French music group that combines world music and some aspects of alternative rock. Tracks often feature acoustic guitar and accordion, with some containing other traditional instruments such as piano and brass. The group's style is fairly upbeat and energetic on the majority of its tracks, with unusual rhythms, vocals delivered with a generous dose of zeal and vibrant energy, and accompaniment melodies ranging from lilting and distant to eccentric and fast-paced. These two factors give many of the group's pieces a strong sense of direction.
Formed in 1987, Les Négresses Vertes arose from the alternative-music scene in Paris. The original line-up included singer Helno (also known as Helno Rota de Lourcqua, born Noël Rota), Jo Roz (also known as l'Ami Ro; real name Joe Ruffier des Aimes) (piano), Stéfane Mellino (guitar), Jean-Marie Paulus (bass), Gaby (drums), Matthias Canavese (accordion), Michel Ochowiak (trumpet), Abraham Sirinix (also known as Abraham Braham) (trombone), and Iza Mellino (backing vocals).
The original members were a group of friends, many of whom had not played their instruments before forming the band. The group's name translates as green negresses; and arose from abuse hurled at the members at one of the group's first concerts. The insult is a comparison to the kitsch art of Vladimir Tretchikoff. The group was initially signed to the independent Off the Track label and released the punk protest song "200 Ans D'Hypocrisie" in response to its home country's French Revolution bicentennial celebrations.
In 1989, they released their first album, Mlah, to good reviews in both France and the UK, where the single "Zobi La Mouche" just failed to reach the charts. The group also toured and played the WOMAD festival. The group also made a controversial tour of Lebanon. Their second album, Famille Nombreuse, in 1991, featured new drummer Zé Verbalito.
Helno was by this time struggling with serious heroin addiction, and Stéfane Mellino and Canavese replaced him as the main songwriters. Helno died at his parents' house on 22 January 1993.
Several members left the band after Helno's death, but Les Négresses Vertes continued around the nucleus of Mellino, Canavese, Ochowiak, and Paulus. In 1995, the band released the album Zig-Zague, followed by the live album Green Bus. By the 2000s Trabendo, the group's style had shifted to a dub-oriented lounge style.
négresses, vertes, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, septembe. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Les Negresses Vertes news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message Les Negresses Vertes which formed in 1987 is a French music group that combines world music and some aspects of alternative rock Tracks often feature acoustic guitar and accordion with some containing other traditional instruments such as piano and brass The group s style is fairly upbeat and energetic on the majority of its tracks with unusual rhythms vocals delivered with a generous dose of zeal and vibrant energy and accompaniment melodies ranging from lilting and distant to eccentric and fast paced These two factors give many of the group s pieces a strong sense of direction Les Negresses Vertes at Festival des Vieilles Charrues 2018 Contents 1 History 2 Discography 2 1 Albums 2 2 Compilations 2 3 Singles 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditFormed in 1987 Les Negresses Vertes arose from the alternative music scene in Paris The original line up included singer Helno also known as Helno Rota de Lourcqua born Noel Rota Jo Roz also known as l Ami Ro real name Joe Ruffier des Aimes piano Stefane Mellino guitar Jean Marie Paulus bass Gaby drums Matthias Canavese accordion Michel Ochowiak trumpet Abraham Sirinix also known as Abraham Braham trombone and Iza Mellino backing vocals The original members were a group of friends many of whom had not played their instruments before forming the band The group s name translates as green negresses and arose from abuse hurled at the members at one of the group s first concerts The insult is a comparison to the kitsch art of Vladimir Tretchikoff The group was initially signed to the independent Off the Track label and released the punk protest song 200 Ans D Hypocrisie in response to its home country s French Revolution bicentennial celebrations In 1989 they released their first album Mlah to good reviews in both France and the UK where the single Zobi La Mouche just failed to reach the charts The group also toured and played the WOMAD festival The group also made a controversial tour of Lebanon Their second album Famille Nombreuse in 1991 featured new drummer Ze Verbalito In 1990 Les Negresses Vertes contributed the song I love Paris to the Cole Porter tribute album Red Hot Blue which was produced by the Red Hot Organization Helno was by this time struggling with serious heroin addiction and Stefane Mellino and Canavese replaced him as the main songwriters Helno died at his parents house on 22 January 1993 Several members left the band after Helno s death but Les Negresses Vertes continued around the nucleus of Mellino Canavese Ochowiak and Paulus In 1995 the band released the album Zig Zague followed by the live album Green Bus By the 2000s Trabendo the group s style had shifted to a dub oriented lounge style Discography EditAlbums Edit Mlah 1988 Famille nombreuse 1991 An Aperitif 1994 Zig zague 1994 Green Bus 1996 live Trabendo 1999 Acoustic Clubbing 2001 Compilations Edit 10 Remixes 87 93 1993 Le Grand Deballage 2002 L essentiel 2004 A l Affiche 2006 Singles Edit Il 1989 Zobi La Mouche 1989 Voila L ete 1989 I Love Paris 1990 Tribute album Red Hot Blue produced by the Red Hot Organization Face a La Mer 1991 Famille Heureuse 1992 Hou Mamma Mia 1992 Sous Le soleil de bodega 1992 Apres La pluie 1994 Mambo Show 1994 A Quoi Bon 1995 Easy Girls 1999 Leila 1999 Hasta Llegar 2000 Promo CD was never released Spank Abuela 2000 References EditExternal links Edithttps web archive org web 20040325021454 http www negressesvertes com http lnv esy es https web archive org web 20060221055431 http www mellino org Concert photos by Laurent Orseau Black Session Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Les Negresses Vertes amp oldid 1119079632, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
