Elvis Costello recruits Isabelle Adjani for the French version of ‘Revolution # 49’

next Iggy PopElvis Costello’s French language cover “No flag“, Costello called on the talents of singer / actress Isabelle Adjani for a French version of” Revolution # 49 “, on her latest album Hey Clockface.

On this atmospheric reimagining, Adjani contributes spoken word passages (written by Muriel Teodori) to the instrumental opening track – “Revolution # 49 (Parlé)” – off Hey Clock face.

“When [the Attractions’] Steve Nieve’s partner Muriel Teodori told me that she thought Isabelle Adjani might consider reading Muriel’s French adaptation of my original text, I assumed I must have been dreaming, ”said Costello in a statement. “What I didn’t know was that Isabelle and Muriel had been friends for a long time but they hadn’t seen each other for over twenty-five years.

The instrumental stand also features a traditional wind instrument called “the serpent”, which dates back to the French town of Auxerre in the 1580s.

“By imagining Isabelle reading the adapted verses of Muriel, I felt that she would know instinctively what to do, because she had put in scene several characters who lived on the border between love and madness, in particular in” The story Adèle H “by François Truffaut”. Costello added.

The two collaborated in Paris for the recording, with Costello hinting at an original composition for Adjani in the future. For Hey Clockface, Costello also worked with Parisian musicians on nine of the album’s 14 tracks.

“It’s never great to have a lot of conversations about how to make music,” Costello said. Variety. “We didn’t have to theorize, because we couldn’t – because I don’t speak French. So nobody asked for my passport in the sense of: Is this jazz? Is it classical music? Is it pop music in some way?

Hey Clockface marks the 31st studio album by the prolific performer and composer. After its release in October, it received critical acclaim.

“Alternating between loud, lavishly produced rock and softer songs inspired by Tin Pan Alley, the British singer-songwriter delivers a series of sullen songs about the relentless march of time,” wrote Pitchfork.

Later this month, Costello will receive his Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Americana Awards on January 28, where he will also perform, with Emily Barker, Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, Gillian Welch and David Rawling for the virtual livestream.

Hey Clockface can be purchased here.