WEIDORJE

This group was formed after bassist Bernard Paganotti and keyboardist Patrick Gauthier left Magma after recording the Udu Wudu album. Their name is taken from a song on that album. I'm not exactly sure how the word is pronounced, but I like to refer to them as "weed orgy". The sound here is similar to Udu Wudu. But compared to Magma these guys are more accesible and rock harder. Like Eskaton, there is more emphasis on guitar than most French Zeuhl.

This was originally an EP with 3 songs, but the CD release has two live bonus songs. It starts off with the 16 1/2 minute "Elohim's Voyage". I'm not sure what the title refers to but "elohim" is the plural of "god" in Hebrew. There are no actual lyrics on the album but there is vocals. The song starts off with bass, synths and hi-hat. Then some vocals in unison with the synths. Then drums play a steady beat with some awesome bass playing. I love Paganotti's bass tone. Guitars then join in and there is more vocals, but now in unison with the guitar. Then a great "hey nah hey" vocal part with back up singers.

After we get some trumpet. Then an awesome riff and a mini-bass solo. Operatic singing with Fender Rhodes and then back to that riff. Then operatic male voice and trumpet. Everything gets more dissonant sounding now. Later bell sounds with marching drums. Some more trumpet. The "hey nah hey" part comes back near the end. Great song. "Vilna" has some fusion-y Rhodes to start it. Then drums and percussion noises, followed by bass and guitar. Maybe some trumpet in there too. Later some vocals saying "vilna". After some trumpet. Later a guitar solo with fast bass playing. A trumpet solo. Tempo increases, getting almost punk sounding. More vocals in a scat style. Ends with drum fills and a beautiful Rhodes sound.

"Booldemug" is the shortest and weakest song. You can hear this one on PA. Starts with two Rhodes pianos. Then bass, drums and trumpet. What sounds like a violin comes in. The music is fast and uptempo at this point. The song calms down and picks up again throughout. Over halfway thru a guitar solo. The bass drops out at one point then comes back playing fast. Some synths near the end. Rhodes gets sped up to end it.

The two live bonus tracks have bad sound quality and are not as good as the three album tracks. Of note is "Kolinda" where an audience member keeps clapping because they think the song is over. Hilarious. Weidorje recorded a second album but it was never released; the songs on it were later recorded for Paganotti's and Gauthier's solo albums. This along with Eskaton's 4 Visions is a great place to start with Zeuhl. I would suggest getting one of Magma's live albums and those two albums before getting further into Zeuhl. Not a masterpiece but very close. 4 stars.