Author: Richie Troughton

‘Brian Jones Zahjouka Very Stoned’ recorded at Centre George Pompidou, Paris in 2016 is available now on the Live in Paris album.

Today marks 52 years since the death of The Rolling Stones’ founder and lead guitarist Brian Jones (28 February 1942 – 3 July 1969).

Jones visited Joujouka in 1968 and recorded the LP Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka, later released on Rolling Stones Records in 1971.

Following his visit Mohamed Hamri wrote the song ‘Brian Jones Zahjouka Very Stoned’ in his memory.

The track is still performed by the latest group of Master Musicians from the village – and a new recorded version can be heard on the recently released Live in Paris LP on Unlistenable Records.

Listen to ‘Brian Jones Zahjouka Very Stoned’ from Live in Paris

In his liner notes for Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka album Jones wrote: “I don’t know if I have the stamina to endure the incredible strain of the festival.

“What exists here is a specially chosen representation of the type of music which is played and chanted during the festival.”

To mark 50 years since Jones’ death in 2019 the Master Musicians of Joujouka held A Requiem for Brian Jones – a special edition of the annual festival in the village to commemorate his visit.

Live in Paris double gatefold LP release is available now from all good record shops.

For downloads and limited edition cassette visit Unlistenable Records on Bandcamp

Read more on Brian Jones and the Master Musicians of Joujouka

Brian Jones in Morocco – Ugly Things feature on The Rolling Stone’s guitarist’s recordings in Joujouka

A Requiem for Brian Jones – 2019 Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival in pictures

Pick up a copy of the July 2021 edition of The Wire to read their verdict on Live in Paris by the Master Musicians of Joujouka.

The recently released Live in Paris album by the Master Musicians of Joujouka is reviewed in the July 2021 edition of The Wire magazine – out now.

Phil Freeman writes:

“This album features the original Joujouka group and was recorded at a 2016 concert that was part of a Beat Generation exhibit at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. It begins with five relatively concise pieces running between four and nine minutes each, but concludes with a massive 44 minute performance of “Boujeloud”, a ritualistic suite performed in tribute to the god known elsewhere as Pan. In addition to the pounding drums and intricate handclapping, cadences, call and response vocals, and shrill flutes and reeds, Sheik Ahmed Talha takes numerous lengthy solos on the kamanja – a violinlike instrument played while being held vertically, perched on the player’s knee.

“Lead vocalist Abdeslam Boukhzar and backing vocalist Mustapha El Attar have died since this performance, which only adds to the feeling that one is hearing something not only ancient, but somehow imperilled. But when the music is surging and roaring around you, it’s hard to feel anything but thrilled and alive; somewhat surprising, given its desert origins, it can feel like being swirled around in the ocean.”

The Wire July 2021 edition is available now from all good newsagents

More from The Wire – Listen to live recordings from the 2019 Master Musicians of Joujouka festival here

More recent reports for Live in Paris:

Live in Paris album review published on Ele-King in Japan

James Hadfield writes:

“I’m confident in saying that nothing has kicked out the jams quite as emphatically as “Live in Paris,” which captures a 2016 concert at the Center Georges Pompidou, held as part of an exhibition dedicated to the Beat Generation.

“Short of catching the group live, this is trance music in its purest form―sounds to lose yourself in, surrender to― and my only criticism of the vinyl edition is that you have to turn the damn thing over halfway through.”

Read the report in full translated in Japanese and English here

Live in Paris double gatefold LP release is available now from all good record shops

For downloads and limited edition cassette visit Unlistenable Records on Bandcamp

Interview with Live In Paris producer Frank Rynne on working with the Master Musicians of Joujouka published on The Quietus.

The feature interview with Frank Rynne, published on The Quietus, explores in depth the challenges of recording the powerful new album Live In Paris and how the Master Musicians of Joujouka became only the second group ever to inspire a stage invasion at the Centre Pompidou.

Frank Rynne, who has worked with the Master Musicians of Joujouka for the last three decades, is interviewed by Harry Sword – author of the recently published Monolithic Undertow: In Search Of Sonic Oblivion (White Rabbit Books).

“This is the first time that the weight – not to mention the searing, face-melting volume of the Masters – has been captured,” writes Sword on the new Live In Paris album.

Recalling the concert at Centre Pompidou, Rynne said: “Everyone was on their feet in the hall and by the end we had about 50 to 60 people on the stage. And the only two bands who have ever done that to the Pompidou were Suicide in the late 1970s and the Masters in 2016!”

Read the interview in full at thequietus.com/articles/29960-jajouka-joujouka-frank-rynne-interview

Live In Paris available now on Unlistenable Records