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Les Négresses Vertes — Face a la mer (Massive Attack remix)
Album: 10 Remixes 87-93
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3219









Released: 1993
Length: 5:26
Plays (last 30 days): 6
Sur le sable, face à la mer
Se dresse là, un cimetière
Où les cyprès comme des lances
Sont les gardiens de son silence.

Sur le sable, des lits de fer
Sont plantés là, face à la mer
Mon ami, la mort t'a emmené
En son bateau pour l'éternité.

Si on allait au cimetière
Voir mon [ton] nom gravé sur la pierre,
Saluer les morts face à la mer,
Ivres de vie dans la lumière.

Dans la chaleur, le silence
A l'heure où les cyprès se balancent
Les morts reposent au cimetière
Sous le sable, face à la mer.
Comments (140)add comment
amazing french gypsy band. the concert shows are amazing. I like, it smell the Camargue, les étangs salé, les gitans, le soleil ..... south of France.
 S-curvy wrote:

Following that annoying The National song with the very boring monotonous voice, this tune has a similar bass vocal, but this whole song is soooo much better.


why can’t both of these songs be good?  why do people get so weird with music that it’s one or the other
 DunstanBurke wrote:

French is a challenging language to sing in. Few artists can pull it off successfully. This band is not one of them. Even the name of the band is ugly.



For me, the "storyteller" style "songs" and the West African French speaker style singing is best, but the other stuff tends not to bother me much. 
Parfait. 
EXCELLENT!!  Thanx RP!   
 DunstanBurke wrote:

French is a challenging language to sing in. Few artists can pull it off successfully. This band is not one of them. Even the name of the band is ugly.



I really like the phrasing of this.  Being English I don't speak  a word of French though so that probably makes me less critically capable.
For all that is sacred:

Jeez!! I *LOVE* MASSIVE ATTACK!!

THANK YOU, RP, FOR INTRODUCING ME TO  THIS (and SO much other!) PROFOUNDLY ENJOYABLE MUSIC!! 
Bill should add Ce Pays from this self-same group- channeling The Doors "The End"
 
Anoth fine example of what I LOVE about RP 
 S-curvy wrote:

Following that annoying The National song with the very boring monotonous voice, this tune has a similar bass vocal, but this whole song is soooo much better.




100%.  National sucks.  This song is great.
SO very good. Thx Paradise.
fantastique remix des Négresses Vertes .... je kiffe grave !
fantastic remix of Négresses green .... i lov it so much
Following that annoying The National song with the very boring monotonous voice, this tune has a similar bass vocal, but this whole song is soooo much better.
What i was thinking when i grade this 8 ?!?!?!
Moved to 10 !!!
Un après-midi très français ;) merci radio paradise :)
Makes me feel so good everytime I hear it. I bought the original version at the time and loved it. Then I heard this remix, bought it too (20 years ago?) and loved it even more. Godlike!
 Vero_Luxemburg wrote:
Calogero did this so much better and so much more intensive... a weak cover.
 
How can you compare Calogero (bof, la pleurnicheuse)  to Negresses Vertes ? 
 Mannick wrote:
Vero_Luxemburg wrote:
Calogero did this so much better and so much more intensive...

I do hope this was meant to be ironic! Otherwise, the level of ignorance is way too high!

Calogero's song came out in 2004 and has nothing (but like, really nothing) to do with this one. The original (this is a remix) came out in 1991.

a weak cover

You're weak.
 

Mandatory "like" for use of the proper "you're":) 
French is a challenging language to sing in. Few artists can pull it off successfully. This band is not one of them. Even the name of the band is ugly.
Sous le Soleil de Bodega ?
 martymoose15 wrote:
Bill, please play more LNV ... especially Zobi La Mouche, Voila l'Ete, .. Or anything from Mlah really!!!!
 

Vero_Luxemburg wrote:
Calogero did this so much better and so much more intensive...

I do hope this was meant to be ironic! Otherwise, the level of ignorance is way too high!

Calogero's song came out in 2004 and has nothing (but like, really nothing) to do with this one. The original (this is a remix) came out in 1991.

a weak cover

You're weak.
 haretic wrote:
...
In the heat, the silence
At the time when the cypresses are swaying
The dead lie in the cemetery
Under the sand, facing the sea.

(Understanding these fine lyrics elevates the song to a 9 for me).
 
Emotive lyrics remind me of the Souda Bay cemetery in Crete.  Beautiful and moving place to visit.  Sprinkler system under the turf comes on late afternoon and every one creates its own rainbow.  Touching.



What a sound! I'd love to see this group live.
For those of us who are language limited/French challenged:

Google translate says:

On the sand, facing the sea
Stands there a cemetery
Where the cypresses like spears
Are the guardians of his silence.

On the sand, iron beds
Are planted there, facing the sea
My friend death took you away
In his boat for eternity.

If we went to the cemetery
See my [your] name engraved on stone,
Greet the dead facing the sea,
Drunk with life in the light.

In the heat, the silence
At the time when the cypresses are swaying
The dead lie in the cemetery
Under the sand, facing the sea.

(Understanding these fine lyrics elevates the song to a 9 for me).
10 in memory of a great band and lead singer, god bless him ...
ooooh, the layering of percussive sounds is yummy in my ears
just one word..... merci
 john.spencer wrote:
this motivated me to make my first ever comment. clearly...it got me :)
 
It must be the two guys playing ping pong in the background that got to you

 Froggy_Matt wrote:
Hi RP and RP listeners
Happy 2020 to everybody
My two cents about this song of the Négresses Vertes : it's not an intrumental it's a beautiful and moving poem.
Here are the words, if you will excuse my french :-)

"Sur le sable, face à la mer
Se dresse là, un cimetière
Où les cyprès comme des lances
Sont les gardiens de son silence.

Sur le sable, des lits de fer
Sont plantés là, face à la mer
Mon ami, la mort t'a emmené
En son bateau pour l'éternité.

Si on allait au cimetière
Voir mon [ton] nom gravé sur la pierre,
Saluer les morts face à la mer,
Ivres de vie dans la lumière.

Dans la chaleur, le silence
A l'heure où les cyprès se balancent
Les morts reposent au cimetière
Sous le sable, face à la mer."


I'm ready to discuss the "mon" instead of "ton" in line 10" : the general meaning is more "ton" but this "mon" is hearable in most of recorded performances of les Négresses Vertes.
Some kind of tragical premonition ?

Bisous à tous, Matt, la grenouille de Versailles.
 
"Voir mon nom gravé sur la pierre" cher ami
Calogero did this so much better and so much more intensive... a weak cover.
In all of the madness right now, this music is being incredibly helpful. Thank you for all that you do, RP.
 ExploitingChaos wrote:
Enjoying the sounds, peace to all
 

peace
 Froggy_Matt wrote:
Hi RP and RP listeners
Happy 2020 to everybody
My two cents about this song of the Négresses Vertes : it's not an intrumental it's a beautiful and moving poem.
Here are the words, if you will excuse my french :-)

"Sur le sable, face à la mer
Se dresse là, un cimetière
Où les cyprès comme des lances
Sont les gardiens de son silence.

Sur le sable, des lits de fer
Sont plantés là, face à la mer
Mon ami, la mort t'a emmené
En son bateau pour l'éternité.

Si on allait au cimetière
Voir mon [ton] nom gravé sur la pierre,
Saluer les morts face à la mer,
Ivres de vie dans la lumière.

Dans la chaleur, le silence
A l'heure où les cyprès se balancent
Les morts reposent au cimetière
Sous le sable, face à la mer."


I'm ready to discuss the "mon" instead of "ton" in line 10" : the general meaning is more "ton" but this "mon" is hearable in most of recorded performances of les Négresses Vertes.
Some kind of tragical premonition ?

Bisous à tous, Matt, la grenouille de Versailles.
 
Wow - loved this track already.
Thanks for posting the lyrics, it elevates the song another notch.
Hi RP and RP listeners
Happy 2020 to everybody
My two cents about this song of the Négresses Vertes : it's not an intrumental it's a beautiful and moving poem.
Here are the words, if you will excuse my french :-)

"Sur le sable, face à la mer
Se dresse là, un cimetière
Où les cyprès comme des lances
Sont les gardiens de son silence.

Sur le sable, des lits de fer
Sont plantés là, face à la mer
Mon ami, la mort t'a emmené
En son bateau pour l'éternité.

Si on allait au cimetière
Voir mon [ton] nom gravé sur la pierre,
Saluer les morts face à la mer,
Ivres de vie dans la lumière.

Dans la chaleur, le silence
A l'heure où les cyprès se balancent
Les morts reposent au cimetière
Sous le sable, face à la mer."


I'm ready to discuss the "mon" instead of "ton" in line 10" : the general meaning is more "ton" but this "mon" is hearable in most of recorded performances of les Négresses Vertes.
Some kind of tragical premonition ?

Bisous à tous, Matt, la grenouille de Versailles.
this motivated me to make my first ever comment. clearly...it got me :)
This just sucks you right into Paradise.  Nice.
Ima slap a solid 8 on this.
Bill, please play more LNV ... especially Zobi La Mouche, Voila l'Ete, .. Or anything from Mlah really!!!!
 Jelani wrote:
This is so very cool to my ears. Hearing the bass line without the sub engaged, I decided to check it out and flipped the switch.
YOW!
 
I had a similar reaction....and why I went 8 to 9 some time ago on this grove....freaking awesome...and another reason I say Long Live RP!!
This is so very cool to my ears. Hearing the bass line without the sub engaged, I decided to check it out and flipped the switch.
YOW!
I am reminded of the weird, wonderful effect of being "transported" to a distant place or time I get when I hear certain Santana songs; here "Jingo" sticks in my mind... similar syncopation maybe.  Quite lovely. 
This is beautiful...
Enjoying the sounds, peace to all
Wonderful! What a band to see - privilege of seeing them twice. Friend of mine dancing very badly at front of stage, lead singer (Helno) stops and stares at him .... ah
{#Dancingbanana_2} Viva occitània et le Paratge {#Notworthy}
Les Negresses Vertes is one of the best French bands, and this is Massive badass cover!!!
 coloradojohn wrote:
Yes, The Green Negro Women are definitely underground heroes. Never heard 'em played on any radio in any country. They're here, though; YEAH! I think they take things to a B-52s-kind of level, and I worship that kind of artistry. Makes me wanna hear their MLAH...

 
this is a pretty tight mix...makes me wonder what the original track sounds like.  I'm liking the Massive Attack influence and that's without knowing what's different about it.  A big 8 from me (as I face the sea myself.)
Wow! Saw Les Nergresses Vertes YEARS ago! Haven’t heard them for so long. Love this track, thanks RP{#Dancingbanana_2}
Yes, The Green Negro Women are definitely underground heroes. Never heard 'em played on any radio in any country. They're here, though; YEAH! I think they take things to a B-52s-kind of level, and I worship that kind of artistry. Makes me wanna hear their MLAH...
{#Hearteyes}
This is cool!....
 VV wrote:
What the hell is this? Turkish Spa music?

 
And you would know how turkish spa music sounds like exactly how? Are you a regular? {#Rolleyes}{#Bounce}
 zeod wrote:
Great to hear Les Negresses Vertes !
hello from France 

 
Came here to say this! {#Music}
Wife hates this stuff but I just love it.  Note to self, get out the old CDs and load them up in the player.  Never saw them live but wish
I had.  

Bill, your playing this just proves how big your ears are. I have never heard them ever on US commercial radio.   
It's such a joy to hear old 'secret' gems in RP. I had the luck to see them live in Switzerland back in the 90ies (or was it even 80ies). Unforgettable! 
I have loved these guys since I got turned onto them in the late 1980s. They're such a trippy kick! Their world-spanning rhythms are always infectious, their sarcasm is often hilarious (Les Yeux de Ton Pere; Le Faim des Haricots), and their style completely unique. 
GODLIKE!!!
Great to hear Les Negresses Vertes !
hello from France 
 VV wrote:
What the hell is this? Turkish Spa music?

 
no dude, it's the awesome Negresses Vertes AND Massive Attack. double whammy {#Dancingbanana_2}
whatever you call it, it's working! samba samba baby : )
 VV wrote:
What the hell is this? Turkish Spa music?

 
No dude....It's Massive Attack
 
What the hell is this? Turkish Spa music?
Rollin' along.  Great tune.
proud to say I saw them twice and they were greaT .... everyone from my trailer got out of bed that day and went and danced their nates off... grand so it was
 catnip wrote:
For some reason this reminds me of a rather long camel ride through the Moroccan desert to the town of Mhamid, right in the south of the country, right on the Algerian border. The sea was miles away, all there was to see was desert scrub, scattered greying palm groves and the odd dune: I didn't even have any music with me (and possibly at that time didn't even own this song). Still, the beats were going through my head as my trusty (smelly) beast and I lollopped our way through the sand and heat, after a dusty night in a Berber tent in the middle of nowhere.

Strange how things stick in your head- it's a bit chilly here at the moment, but the song definitely brings its own warmth. 

 
I was gonna say the same thing! How weird is that?

like the song too.
 
Love this band. Have this original tune on a CD somewhere. Going to have to dig this out. Was waiting for this to finally appear on RP. Bill, other than the fatal Byrne addiction you are the best. ever. 
Awesome synchronicity, RP! I was jogging in the park earlier, wishing it would come on my iPod, and it did...and when I got home just now, after riding my bike through Cranmer, Robinson and Crestmoor Parks, I was wanting to hear it again...and -- VOILA -- here it is!
Well, this is bloody wonderful.
So good for me les negresses vertes sont un groupe de musique trop peu écouté, i love them and these remix by massive attack is so fun.. Thanks you radio paradise...
I love you so much {#Hearteyes}
Great tune, and for what it's worth, the Café del Mar albums feature a lot of really cool artists, well worth checking out.
Marginal at best....
For some reason this reminds me of a rather long camel ride through the Moroccan desert to the town of Mhamid, right in the south of the country, right on the Algerian border. The sea was miles away, all there was to see was desert scrub, scattered greying palm groves and the odd dune: I didn't even have any music with me (and possibly at that time didn't even own this song). Still, the beats were going through my head as my trusty (smelly) beast and I lollopped our way through the sand and heat, after a dusty night in a Berber tent in the middle of nowhere.

Strange how things stick in your head- it's a bit chilly here at the moment, but the song definitely brings its own warmth. 
Oh my God. I love this band and cannot believe, check that, I can believe that Bill has put them on the rotation. 

Makes me want to go to France if these guys are still together.  
Cooooooooooooooooooolllllllllllllllllllllllllll love them since the 80s {#Jump}
..ear input elicits instant 8..

..and, as usual, gratitude RP's way..
Awesome!

THAT was nice!!!

Oh, how Atlas Mountain!  I luv it!
I've loved Les Negresses Vertes since 1988, when a cool co-worker in Shizuoka turned me onto them...such incredible grooves (and lots of tongue-in-cheek lyrics!) that stick in the brain for days, weeks, years...Mais oui, bien sur! it is always a joy and thrill to hear them!
Outstanding seque, as usual.   The fact I usually have this station running on multiple machines on my desks and labs is due to the Genius of Bill.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Les Negresses on Radio Paradise!!!!  COOOOLLL

and THIS is my favorite from them


That was kinda fun!
Massive can attack me anytime {#Hearteyes}
 mavi wrote:
it's not the best of "les negresses vertes " .i prefer "zobi la mouche " ou "les yeux de ton père"ou "voila l'été"
 
especially the william orbit remix for zobi la mouche...outstanding!

 sporkster wrote:


Cafe del Mar is great!  Some of the music snobs out there may disagree, but it is the perfect dinner party or, er, bring a new friend home after the dinner party music.
 
First time I've heard this, but I was thinking the same way...

Les Négresses Vertes sur Radio Paradise !! Merci Bill !

Never heard this before, but cool. Though it kinda also feels like I walked into a Gap. Regardless, Miles Davis Concierto De Aranjuez into this is exactly why I listen to RP
 scruzer wrote:
If you have yet to check out one of those Cafe Del Mar compilations. They are all pretty great — if you like this, you should like the collections.
 

Cafe del Mar is great!  Some of the music snobs out there may disagree, but it is the perfect dinner party or, er, bring a new friend home after the dinner party music.
{#Moon} sounds so  friggin International...Bond.....James Bond....Don't get me wrong ...I like it....It probably pisses off narrow minded butwigs...(see intro)  lol
I agree, zobi la mouche is better mavi wrote:
it's not the best of "les negresses vertes " .i prefer "zobi la mouche " ou "les yeux de ton pÚre"ou "voila l'été"
Beyond the Sunset is one of my favorite Cafe Del Mar tracks. I think it's on vol.9 or vol.10. They are all really great
cool.
dang...just missed it..:(
If you have yet to check out one of those Cafe Del Mar compilations. They are all pretty great -- if you like this, you should like the collections.
I like this a lot.
Groovy
I like
Radio Paradise = Music Heaven I love this sound...
This has a nice kinda summer's on it's way feel about it - fancy a cubalibre!
... would travel Miles to listen to this ...
it's not the best of "les negresses vertes " .i prefer "zobi la mouche " ou "les yeux de ton pÚre"ou "voila l'été"
PrintError wrote:
And that's why we tune in, right? Where else can you hear techno, rock, and reggae back to back to back?
Egg-ZACT-ly!
Ah, something I haven't heard a gazillion times. Thanks.
nice....still should have stayed with the original...original is Z best
liser wrote:
Me, too - I was nodding off. Miles is better for nighttime, at least for me.
And that's why we tune in, right? Where else can you hear techno, rock, and reggae back to back to back?
hippiechick wrote:
This is much more my type of music than Miles. I need a beat!
Me, too - I was nodding off. Miles is better for nighttime, at least for me.
Haven't heard this one, but Cafe Del Mar's #2/Dreams is sublime.
If you've got a pool, or you go to the beach, or you're doing anything on a hot summer day, or it's the deep of winter and you wish it was a hot summer day, get any of the Cafe del Mar series. It's a fixture in my summer rotation.
This is much more my type of music than Miles. I need a beat!
not a fan.
I'm diggin' it!
Such cool song! OScar
Good remix for one of my favourite Negresses' songs. I've never heard it before. Thanks RP
Zum zum zumma zumma zum zum zum... MLAH! Mlah! Zobi la mouche! Voila l'ete! Les yeux de ton pere... Le faim des haricots... Oh, you gotta love these guys... glad to finally hear them on RP...
Ici, en Canada, on peut pas dire ''négresses'' parce que c'est un espece de racisme. On dit ''noirs.'' But, on the other hand, we have the Barenaked Ladies here, whose name got them banned from a venue in Toronto. Go figure! A bientot!
MissIncendium wrote:
Ok, there's a french rock song 'face a la mer' but it's not by these guys I don't think. Anyone heard of it? I want really want it.
Yes, as lixy suggested, it's by Calogero (not a group, but just a guy), featuring Passi. My kids love that song. They like to sing "Face a la merde..."