Corpse Flower

Description

Jean-Claude and I met while working on a Gainsbourg retrospective in 2011 at the Hollywood Bowl, explains Mike Patton. There was an immediate connection. I was able to observe in him a real attention to detail and boundless dedication. (...) We discussed the idea of working together one day... It took time, but after a few years I reached out to him and we laid the groundwork for our collaboration. "He was able to bring my music to life with his unique vision and interpretations of my songs. He is a wonderful singer, with a great sense of humor. Together we created strong, beautiful, and sincere music, reflecting our friendship," says Vannier. Various musicians from Los Angeles and Paris collaborated on the recording of Corpse Flower. Among the L.A. musicians are Smokey Hormel (Beck, Johnny Cash), Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Air, Nine Inch Nails), and James Gadson (Beck, Marvin Gaye). The Parisian team includes Denys Lable, Bernard Paganotti (Magma), Daniel Ciampolini, Didier Malherbe, Léonard Le Cloarec, and the Bécon Palace String Ensemble. The lyrics of "Ballad C.3.3." are taken from a poem by Oscar Wilde, "The Ballad of Reading Gaol," originally published under the name "C.3.3." The striking album cover is the work of Kenro Izu, a renowned Japanese photographer.