"Spirit in the dark" - reviews
2008
The Christian Artist Magazine from Holland: March 2008 "Signs"
2008
Askel= (Step Magazine)
(you can also read the Askel review in Finnish)
Askel English translation: (Step) Finnish Christian Magazine April Edition 2008 Cd review
When listening to "Spirit In The Dark!" your leg starts to shake from the first notes.
It feels like you have been taken straight to the birthplace of the Memphis style. If this band would perform at the Annual International Pori Jazz festival you would have to make a journey there just to see Christian-Charles.
It's no wonder that the black churches are full if the music is like this.
Christian-Charles de Plicque's interpretation is so full of Spirit that a light starts to shine even in the darkest soul.
It's unnecessary to review track by track. Fourteen magnificent Rythm'n Blues tracks speak for themselves. It's not just question of the singer but the entirety is more than the sum of its parts. The big orchestra where every part is in its place deserves clapping, hurray-shouts and other praising thanks.
If faith is like this it's worth taking it.
International distribution The Radiance Internet Store (Dei-kauppa).
www.deplicque.net
www.deikauppa.fi
2008
En väg tidning=(Magazine) interview (Våren)=Spring 2008
2008
Gospel!
Christian-Charles de Plicque: "Spirit in the dark!", Angel House Records
Onsdag (Wednesday) 12 mars 2008
HUFVUDSTADSBLADET
(Helsinki's Daily finnish Swedish-language Newspaper)
Kultur avdelning (Cultural Deparmtent) : skivor (Records)
Det här kan mycket väl vara den snöfattiga vinterns bästa inhemska gospelskiva. Redan när första spåret Prayer Meetin’ drar igång med full fart och sedan ökar hela tiden är det lätt att kapitulera.
This record just might be this snowy winters' best national gospel record. Already as the first song starts, it is full speed ahead and then the energy just rises over time.
Den naturaliserade finländaren Christian-Charles de Plicque med rötterna i Texas har gjort sin tjugosjunde skiva efter 18 års paus, och samtidigt samlat kring sig några av de bästa bland de österbottniska musikerna kring egna och andras låtar.
The nationalized finn, Christian-Charles de Plicque, with roots in Texas, has made his 27 recordings after an 18 year break, and at the same time he has gathered some of the best musicians around in The finnish (Swedish-speaking) Ostrobotnia region and others material.
Det svänger som i en sydstatskyrka, och de lugnare balladerna är fyllda av känsla och stämning. Ibland är bandet inklusive blåssektionen nästan för bra, och då sjunker sångarens röst aningen för långt in i ljudbilden, men helheten är alltid njutbar.
It grooves like in a southern State church, and the smoother ballads are filled with feeling and mood. Sometimes the band with the hornsection is almost too good and then the singers voice sinks a little too deep (is overridden) in the recording, but overall it is very enjoyable.
Det här är kanske inte en renodlad gospelskiva i vanlig mening, mera en intensiv stämningsskapare med konsekvent sound. Stilmässigt ligger skivan på linjen Aretha Franklin, Ralph Carmichael, Sister Rosetta Tharpe...
This is maybe not a pure (old-time classic) Gospel record after all, it is more a intense mood-builder with a sound that goes with it. When it comes to genre or style the record is at the line of Aretha; The great arranger Ralph Carmicheal, Sister Rosetta Tharpe.......
Missa inte bonusspåret Sweet Lorraine.
Do not miss the bonustrack Sweet Lorraine...
köp ny! (Buy now!)
websida (website):
www.deplicque.net
Dan Kronqvist
2008
Gospelista valoa pimeyteen (note: image almost 1Mb)
(or scanned article as pdf)
Uusitie 17.1.2008
2008
Tosimies review (or scanned article as pdf)
2007
Sielukasta tulkintaa!
Seinäjoki Finland 12.12.07
Upeaa tulkintaa. C-C:llä on sielukas ääni CHRISTIAN-CHARLES DE PLICQUE "Spirit In The Dark!" (Angel House International Records).
Teksasista Kokkolaan kulkeutuneen C-C de Plicquen nimi ei välttämättä ole heti tuttu, mutta kyseessä on pitkän linjan tekijä joka on vaikuttanut musiikkiympyröissä aina 1960 –luvulta lähtien. Joku muistaa hänet varmasti heti kun kerrotaan miehen yhteistyöstä Pepe Ahlqvistin kera, tai mainitaan hänen päivätyönsä Radio Deissä. Mihinkään helppoon saumaan ei C-C tähtää, hän ammentaa musiikkiinsa gospelia, bluesia ja vähän jazziakin. Tulkinnallisesti hänestä tulee mieleen sellaiset suurnimet kuin Ray Charles, tai BB King, kuitenkin niin että C-C tekee selkeästi ”oman” juttunsa. Materiaalia on levylle poimittu raskaasta sarjasta ja täällä kierrätetään mm. Aretha Franklinia, Sister Rosetta Sharpea ja Nat King Colea. Gospel soi levyllä ilona, blues toivona ja musiikin pulssi sykkii äiti Afrikan tahtiin.
Miehellä on todella sielukas ääni ja laulusta kuulee kuinka hän nauttii tulkitessaan näitä sävelmiä. Pohjalaisista muusikoista koottu suuri orkesteri (=isooo pänri) toimii ja svengaa kuin hirvi konsanaan. Toki osa materiaalista on säestyksellisesti hieman vähäisempää ja tunnelmaltaan intiimimpää.
Lopputuloksena on se, että C-C säestäjineen vie kuulijansa sujuvasti bluesin sykkeen kautta suorastaan hurmoksellisesti latautuneeseen gospel-riehaan, -ilosanomastahan tässä on kyse. Ja pienimuotoisien balladiosuuksien myötä annetaan tilaisuus vähän hengähtää, että jaksetaan taas kokea koko musiikillinen ilotulitus uudelleen.
MIKKE NÖJD.
English Translation
Sielukasta tulkintaa!= Soulful interpretation!
Seinäjoki Finland 12.12.07
Upeaa tulkintaa. C.-C.:llä on sielukas ääni=
Magnificent interpretation. C.-C. has a soulful voice.
CHRISTIAN-CHARLES DE PLICQUE "Spirit In The Dark!" (Angel House International Records)
www.deplicque.net
The name of Christian-Charles de Plicque who has wandered from Texas to Kokkola may not be instantly familiar to some, but he has been working in music circles for a long time ever since the 60's. Someone may remember him quickly by his work as songwriter, singer with Finland's great blues singer, Pepe Ahlqvist or his work at Radio Dei's Christian Broadcasting Corporation is mentioned.
Christian-Charles is not playing it easy on this project, as he is influenced by Gospel, blues and a little bit jazz too. Interpretation-wise he brings to mind such greats as Ray Charles or B. B. King, with the difference that C.-C. does clearly his "own" thing.
The recorded classic material, has been chosen from heavyweights such as Aretha Franklin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nat King Cole and they are tastefully being re-cycled here. Gospel rings on the record as joy, blues as hope and the pulse of the music beats in rhythm with Mother Africa.
The man has a really soulful voice and from his singing you can hear how he enjoys interpreting these melodies. The Big Band, which is made up of musicians from Botnia ( de Plicques' own Dynamite Band!), works and "swings like a moose." (it's a saying in finnish)...which means it is dynamite! Of course part of the material has less instrumentation and has a more intimate feeling.
The end result is that Christian-Charles, with his accompanists, takes the listener with ease through the rhythm of blues to the downright ecstasy-filled Gospel-frenzy-it's all about the joy of Gospel. And through ballads with less instrumentation, the listener has a chance to take a breath, so that they have the strength to experience the whole musical fireworks again!
MIKKE NÖJD
2007
spririt in the dark review: En väg 17.12.07 (or pdf version for printing)
English translation of En väg
Music
Spirit In The Dark!
Christian-Charles de Plicque
December 2007
Christian-Charles de Plicque "Crille" (his Finnish Swedish nickname), who was born in the USA, has toured around the world for over 35 years. He has lived in London, Paris and came to Karleby (Finland), and settled down in 1988.
"Spirit In The Dark!" is "Crille's 27th recording. This is his first record (of new material), since 1988 (actually 1989)... This project takes us back to the '50's and '60's, to Christian-Charles' roots.
The arrangements are done by de Plicque's Musical Director, Mikael Svavar, who among other things, is known as as a producer, composer, TV personality and an established christian artist.
de Plicque's: "Dynamite Band!", is composed of five musicians and four background vocalists, who all come from (Finlands') Östebotten's region.
Also there are several guest guitarists on the record. "Spirit In the Dark!" is tastefully spiced with Big Band arrangements done by Peter Nordwall from Sweden.
The String Ensemble is led by Anna-Marie Helsing, who is First Chair violinist in the Jakobstad City's Symphony.
This First Class project was recorded in the famed Music House in Jakobstad. It is a splendid mixture of Black Gospel, Soul and Traditional Jazz...and it swings!
Jessica Taipale, Editor-In-Chief
En väg Magazine (On The Way Magazine)
(translated by de Plicque)
2007
Tampere City's Aamulehti
(The Morning Paper)
marraskuu 29, 2007 | Markku Makkonen
Kokkolan laulava sielunveli Christian-Charles de Plicque vetää komeasti. Spirit in the Dark! merkitsee gospelin hengessä soivaa bluesia, soulia ja groovea, jollaista näillä leveyksillä ei usein kuule. C-C:n ja ison yhtyeen vääntö on jo levyllä aitoa ja syvää. Siksi musiikin tauottua melkein harmittaa: tämähän pitäisi kokea livenä!
Tampere City's Aamulehti (The Morning Paper) English Translation
Cd rating from 1 to 5.. The red stars indicate 4.
Kokkola's singing soulbrother Christian-Charles de Plicque does it with style. "Spirit In The Dark!" contains gospel-spirited blues, soul and groove that you don't often hear in this part of the world. C.-C. and the Dynamite Band! sound real and deep even on the record. That's why when the music ends you almost feel aggravated: you should experience this live!
2007
Näky
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(also in English, below)
Näky Magazine December/Joulukuu 2007
Originally american-born, moved to Finland in the beginning of the 80's and now residing in Kokkola, Christian-Charles de Plicque has released many records eventhough it is almost 20 years from his last own record. He has been in Lasse Heikkilä's Simon Kyreneläinen musical and on many other records.
The record now under review is 1950's and 1960's R&B, jazz and big band music. There are many styles and the arrangements vary from quiet acoustic ones to big band orchestrations. The record has been made honoring de Plicque's idols from his youth. The songs have been made by such greats as Aretha Franklin. There are also some de Plicque originals on the record.
The record is well-made both musically and production wise. It lays of course heavily on de Plicque's voice as it should be. There is power in the voice, when needed also sensitivity and the voice doesn't drown out even though there is a gospel choir in the background.
Fine record - you can get more information from www.deplicque.net or www.deikauppa.fi where you can also order the record. You can also ask for the record from well-equipped christian bookstores.
2007
PoriTidning
English Translation of Pori City's Daily Satakunnan Kansa
Musician-evangelist Christian-Charles de Plicque is a strong spiritual man straight from Kokkola. Don't get me wrong Risto-Kalle is not some cheap believer but a genuine and a heart-touching musician. As a proof let it be known that de Plicque who is originally from Texas used to be in the same groups with guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan at the end of 1960's.
You can't blame de Plicque for releasing records too often. "Spirit In The Dark" breaks up an 18 years long silence and does it with a bang. The album is dedicated with respect to de Plicque's singer-idols from his youth like Aretha Franklin and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. So the music is 1950's and 1960's soul, gospel, rhythm 'n' blues and big band jazz so it is the so-called real thing.
Although your personal beliefs may be something else it's not worth it to non-chalance the album because of the spirituality and christian message surrounding it. On the contrary, de Plicque blows the dust off the old classics, like dynamite, with his big vocal chords . The music swings touchingly and with emotion. Instrumentation is heavy: guitar and Hammond organ gets a lot of space and in addition, an extra layer is added with a strong horn section.
I didn't remember that attending a prayer meeting could be so nice!
Journalist Harri Aalto.
2007
Karjalainen
2007
Aalloilla
and in English (below)
Pori City's Daily Satakunnan Kansa
Musician-evangelist Christian-Charles de Plicque is a strong spiritual man straight from Kokkola. Don't get me wrong Risto-Kalle is not some cheap believer but a genuine and a heart-touching musician. As a proof let it be known that de Plicque who is originally from Texas used to be in the same groups with guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan at the end of 1960's.
You can't blame de Plicque for releasing records too often. "Spirit In The Dark" breaks up an 18 years long silence and does it with a bang. The album is dedicated with respect to de Plicque's singer-idols from his youth like Aretha Franklin and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. So the music is 1950's and 1960's soul, gospel, rhythm 'n' blues and big band jazz so it is the so-called real thing.
Although your personal beliefs may be something else it's not worth it to non-chalance the album because of the spirituality and christian message surrounding it. On the contrary, de Plicque blows the dust off the old classics, like dynamite, with his big vocal chords . The music swings touchingly and with emotion. Instrumentation is heavy: guitar and Hammond organ gets a lot of space and in addition, an extra layer is added with a strong horn section.
I didn't remember that attending a prayer meeting could be so nice!
Journalist Harri Aalto
2007
Han gillar att spela utnför kyrkan Fredag 16 november 2007 Österbottningen
(review of Spirit in the Dark ) if you have trouble with the type size there's an extra large image.
2007
PORE review: Mustan Gospelin kultakurkku, Teksasiss kasvanut Christian-Charles "Risto-Kalle" de Plicque säteilee nykään Kokkolassa.
Keskipohjanmaan Viikkolehti on perjantaisin ilmestyvä lehti Nro. 8. www.keskipohjanmaa.net/pore
sivua 6-8. Jouni Nikula, Teksti. Päivi Karjalainen, kuvat
Mustan Gospelin kultakurkku, Teksasiss kasvanut Christian-Charles "Risto-Kalle" de Plicque säteilee nykään Kokkolassa.Sivua 6-8:"Risto-Kalle Kokokkolasta"
English Translation
Keskipohjanmaa Daily Newspapers'
Weekend magazine: "Pore" interview November 2007
Cd reviews in Finnish, Swedish and English:
www.deplicque.net
(The journalist got some dates and information incorrect in this interview and so corrections have been made in the English translations, along with added info to clarify finnish matters, for english-speaking people).
"Risto-Kalle from Kokkola"
My band is too loud for some churches in Finland it seems. One time an old lady thought that my band was angry because we she said I was: "shouting" all the time and the musicians played so loud. I kindly replied to her that Black Gospel has to be played with emotion and power.
Along the cold stone street in Kokkola lives a warm man full of life energy. He is the Golden Throat of Black Gospel, Christian-Charles de Plicque who was raised in Texas, and he is lovingly called in finnish conveniently: "Risto-Kalle".
"Terve jätkä!" he shouts without the finnish accents: "ä-dots", yet with a face full of smile. Risto-Kalle is so talkative that you can lay your notes down for the day after the interview. There is so much to tell because the man who got to know even louder music as a teenager as lead singer along with Stevie-Ray Vaughan in that great Texas band "Blackbird", has got so much soul that a single notepad isn’t enough for him.
The great-voiced de Plicque’s 27 records long life is full of stories but there is happening also now: he has just returned from being to near to the doors of death earlier this year and at last, released his new record: "Spirit In The Dark!" which the production was started already three years ago.
- I almost died before the record was finished. The place where I was to be buried was arranged and my Last Will & Testament was done, but then, suddenly, I got healed. The doctors could not explain it. I returned back home from the Vasa hospital this past March. When I recovered, well strong enough around June, I decided, at last, I will to to the studio to mix my long overdue songs. The record was released in November of this year around 3 years after the scheduled planned release.
It’s hard to believe that de Plicque’s story is true because there is nothing reminisant of the most recent serious sickness in the man telling his life's story in the comfy apartment on Isokatu =(Storgatan). The only reminder of the hardship is all the get well-cards from friends which fill two whole walls in the kitchen. The sickness was horrific for my stomach and throat. I am beginning to get my voice back with the assistance of a famed finnish treatment called: "Voice Massage" which found the nerves and muscles that have caused major problems in my throat. In addition I took a couple of singing lessons from a professor friend at Kokkola's Conservatory, Mari Sillanpää. Otherwise I have never studied music. I was raised up singing in church. I believe that too much training will take off the power and the originality from the voice (if we are speaking about Black Gospel in any case).
"Spirit In The Dark!" is truly soulful and is the groove of Black Gospel. On the 14 song record you can find for example, an interpretation of “the queen of soul”, Aretha Franklin’s classic original: "Spirit In The Dark"-song also from her own cd of the same title in 1970.
This is my first "solo" record in almost 19 years, with mostly revived songs, originally recorded by these Gospel Greats. I dreamed for a long time of recording my childhood favorite songs.
His band: The Dynamite Band!, are musicians and singers from Pietarsaari. The group, which is praised by de Plicque, has been together already for over 6 years.
We have been touring mostly outside of Finland. The problem is that our big group of 12 members, is thought to be too expensive for many churches in Finland. We are not expensive, but usually in Finland, a christian band is often fortunate if they get travel money to and from a performance. It is still very hard here when it comes in particular, to this specific style of music. If you do traditional christian music, then of course, there is basically no problems for churches to invite you. Still there is a great love for Black Music here. It is just not promoted very much. Not yet...
Poland is a poor country but even there Christian-Charles has been touring for many years, more than in Finland.
"Over the decades I am spending so much time abroad that I haven't had time to learn finnish properly,
laughs de Plicque, though he speaks it very well, along with Finland's other national language, Swedish. Christian-Charles also speaks French, Spanish, some German (as his late wife was German) and even some Polish.
The Official Record Release concert will be in the Snellman-auditorium in Kokkola, Seinäjoki, Vasa, Pori, Jyväskylä, Helsinki and surrounding regions, Tampere, and other major cities in Finland beginning in the Summer of 2008.
"My band plays a bit too strong, in general, for many traditional finnish churches. By that I mean that these historical churches were not built for such electric groups, but are great for acoustic music. One time an old woman thought that we were "angry" because we played so loud. I told her that Black Gospel has to be played with emotion and this powerful sound comes from what one feels on the inside and has to be released in praise. It pours the real essence of Life out and onto others. In most finnish churches I prefer to perform with only a piano or an acoustic guitar. And I think that the older members of the congregation prefer this too!"
All of the rythm tracks, including most Lead Vocals, of: "Spirit In The Dark!" were recorded "live" at the famed Music House's recording studio in Pietarsaari. The record was mixed in Kärsämäki and Mastered in Jyväskylä. There are several other guest musicians on this production, along with real symphonic strings. The quality including the cd cover art is World Class.
"Like many Black Gospel singers, I don't care too much for doing my vocals in a sterile studio. When recording the Lead Vocals, you just have to close your eyes and try to find the right feeling."
Most of the singing in any case, was recorded "live" at the same time as the band rythm tracks. de Plicque wanted to do it the way the vocalists used to record, back in the States, during the '50's-70's era.
In Risto-Kalle’s living room there are two walls full of cds, jazz, (Mostly Black Gospel), soul, rhythm ‘n’ blues, rock...along with tens of framed pictures of musician friends and a motion cycle that he used to get in shape after serious sickness. Through the window you can see Kokkola's Mannerheim Square.
de Plicque takes his French: "Francois-pet-monkey Puppet" (that he uses when working with children), on his lap and climbs on the motion cycle’s saddle. His two cats, (Bijou and Mélange), who have run from their high-rise luxury climbing tree in the kitchen, to the Living Room, are at their master’s feet.
Coffee, champagne?
he grins. "No thanks I reply". The reason is simple: Risto-Kalle has so much to share that there wouldn’t be time for coffee-drinking, from my having to quickly write down all he is talking about in my notes. So for now we pass on the invite for champagne, for our mood is already pretty high, as he shares about his interesting and exciting life.
de Plicque’s and Finland’s paths crossed by chance in 1980. I begin to cry, suddenly, during an Annual Christian Arts Seminar's performance in Holland. (The lyrics of the song really began to touch my heart, as I was reminded of how good God had been to me. This took place while I was singing at a place called Debron, near Amsterdam. There were seemingly hundreds of people in attendance, along with major christian record companies where I had hoped possibly to have the opportunity to discuss an eventual recording contract.
In the middle of a song I started crying and I couldn’t stop because the words of God touched me so strongly. I thought I had made a fool of myself and was really embarassed.... Suddenly a journalist, from the city of Lahti came and said:
Your performance was incredible. We need people like you in Finland. You are not ashamed of your faith and you are so open to showing your emotions in crying, even on stage. In Finland, we men have a hard time showing our feelings at all and we need to teach our young boys and men that it is ok and that men do cry and have feelings!I was living in Paris at the time and returning there after the seminar with my french band. IAn idea came to mind to phone this journalist in Finland, while I was on working with Youth For Christ Denmark, with my friend Per-Erik Hallin (Swedish gospel pianist & singer). I told him that I was now a little closer to Finland than Paris. Long story short, the journalist convinced a pastor in the Free Church of Turku, who had never read or heard anything about me, to invite me to Finland. I arrived with my Texas cowboy boots on my feet and it was snowing… One finnish woman said, when I slipped down in the snow after debarking the plane:
You need Finnish shoes now!
After de Plicque eventually moved to Finland in 1988, he has collaborated with such famed artists as Pepe Ahlqvist, Jarkka Rissanen, Jouko Kantola, Pepe Willberg, Esa Kaartamo and Anssi Nykänen... He has also toured with Wentus Blues Band in the period, when their lead singer, Antti Sjöberg, took his summer holiday with his family. We did a Freddie King-tribute tour in Sweden with the band and it was great fun.
de Plicque’s wife of 15 years, passed away in 1982.
There is a saying, in French and translated in English, that Christian-Charles has always loved, on the inner sleeve of his new cd: "Spirit In The Dark", which he dedicates to his 90-year old father who lives in Dallas: “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.”
de Plicque moved to Kokkola in 1994, from the southern city of Tampere, after Head Pastor Johan Candelin invited him there after so many times of him ministering with the youth and young adults of Karleby,(Kokkola), lecturing in schools, etc.
"Before moving to Kokkola, I had lived in Nastola, Lahti, Tampere, Ikaalinen. Part of his Ministry has been lecturing at high schools, Bible Institutes, Universities and congregations."
He also has a weekly column for the past 7 years, in our finnish Swedish-language daily newspaper and his own program: "Fat City!" that airs two times a week on Radio Dei’s frequency.
The nickname: "Risto-Kalle" originates from the time he lived in Ikaalinen. -An old person got tired of trying to pronounce my difficult french name. She translated Christian-Charles to: "Risto-Kalle". This is the literal translation in Finnish and he has been "Risto-Kalle" to us for decades."My Finnish, Swedish-speaking only friends don’t like my finnish nickname, he laughs. They call me instead: "Crille", which is very swedish! I like the both.
Risto-Kalle released his first record when he was 16 in Dallas.
As a young man he also signed to Columbia Records but the record was never released because he had differences with his manager in those days. The Texas oil-millionaire wouldn’t even let me jam with any band, without his permission
, says Risto-Kalle. If I had broken the contract rules I would have been sued in Court
. My first solo record was recorded in Dallas and maybe, someday, we will release it from the Columbia Records Master Vaults.
de Plicque doesn’t understand musical pigeon-holing, as we often do in Finland. To him moving between blues and Black Gospel is a natural thing, musically speaking at least. Risto-Kalle says: For many traditional pastors here say, that is a problem as to many of them, it does not seem to be real christian music because it is full of rythm, etc...(this style of Black Gospel) This style comes from our African heritage and we are not ashamed of that. ... And my response to this kind of attitude is only to say, alright I’ve had enough of this pigeon-holing and go on about my way. The more open-minded folk love it however and are always very receptive and encouraging. To me the music is very important, but not the most important. It’s a nice bonus indeed, if someone hears the words and reflects on them
In musical terms, blues only differs from Black Gospel, in the sense of the lyrics content and of course the Spirit in which it is written. Black Gospel brings hope, and in the blues, it is not always a bad thing. It usually tells just how things are in life, but there is no escape usually in its lyric content or no eventual good outcome in most blues. Hence the name. 'My baby left me and I am going to drink until I fall and then go and drown myself in the river...' There is another way
says de Plicque...
One of the differences between finnish christian music and Black Gospel, is in the rhythm, says de Plicque. I like finnish hymns too. They remind me of hymns that I used to sing in church as a child (and still do). I also dream of doing a real Finnish “humppa”-Gospel record, in finnish, with the great humppa recording artists de Plicque exclaims. One day I believe I will!
Singing in Finnish isn’t a new thing to him for in the beginning of the 90’s, he starred in Finland's prolific composer, conductor, Lasse Heikkilä’s: Simon Kyreneläinen ("Simon of Cyrene")-Film-musical. It is about the black man in the Bible that helped to carry the Cross of Jesus (when He became too weak).
"I learned the finnish text of the script to the two hour film, by memory. I had absolutely no idea of what I was saying or singing in those days. First we began the production: "live" on stage as we toured the country for a year, with a team of over 200.makeup artists, stage designers, choir, technicians, orchestra... We finally filmed it and made a cd that is still airing on the stations since 1989..."
Nowadays I could perform the role of "Simon" much better as my finnish has greatly improved over the years! I didn’t understand a word I was singing then
laughs Christian-Charles de Plicque who hopes that his next record will be released in two-year's time.
Jouni Nikula, Journalist:
Keskipohjanmaa Newspaper, Kokkola (Karleby) Finland
2007
Juurevaa Gospelia!!
Rooty Gospel!!
Maanantai 12. marraskuuta 2007. Kulttuuri. Karjalainen Lehti
Monday, 12th November 2007. Cultural section of the Newspaper Daily Newspaper from the Karjala area of Finland
Christian-Charles de Plicque: Spirit in the dark! (Angel House International Records)
Christian-Charles de Plicque on sen verran outo nimi täkäläisessä musiikissa, että hänen uusi levynsä tuli laitettua koneeseen lähes sattumalta. Vaan hetkinen, bändi näyttää olevan Pohjanmaalta, ja laulaja on muka samalta suunnalta? Ei sentään ihan, ”Risto-Kalle” on syntynyt Texasissa, mutta vaikuttaa nykyään Kokkolassa ja Radio Deissä.
Christian-Charles de Plicque is a somewhat unfamiliar name in the music business here that it was almost a coincidence that I put his new cd in the player. But just a moment, the band seems to be from Pohjanmaa and the singer also? Not quite, "Risto-Kalle" was born in Texas but resides nowadays in Kokkola and is a disc jockey at Finland's Radio Dei.
Levy toimii maukkaasti ja sen bändissä tuntuu livekeikan eloisuus, vaikka suuri osa materiaalista onkin studiokamaa. Vaivattomasti etenevä, tyylipuhdas soittotapa ja bigbandin sointi ovat kohdillaan. Kuorolaisten lausuminen kielii härmäläisestä syntyperästä, mutta tässä kokonaisuudessa heitäkin voisi hetken pitää aitoina etelävaltojen gospel-laulajina.
The record works in a tastful way and the band feels like it's playing live even though all of the material was done in studio. The effortless flow and tasteful playing and big band sound are right on the spot. The pronounciation of the backing singers let's one know that they are from Finland, but in this context, even they could be considered, for a moment, to be genuine Gospel-singers from the South, in the States.
Pehmeällä äänellä soulin ja bluesin tunnelmaan eläytyvä de Plicque tuo esityksiin aidon leiman. Levy pyörähtääkin vaivatta perinteisen bluesin ystävien soittimiin, onhan tyylin taustalla pitkälti gospelin perinne. Sanoma taas tekee levystä tyylipuhdasta gospelia. Alan harrastajille se on ehdoton lisäpisteiden aihe, eikä asian pitäisi vanhemman bigband-soinnin ystäviäkään häiritä.
With his soft voice de Plicque getting into the soul and blues feeling gives the genuine feeling for the performances. The record will find easily its way to the blues friends's players because behind the style is mostly Gospel tradition. To the afficianados it is a bonus and it shouldn't bother the friends of older big band sound too.
Mikko Nortela
2007
Greetings, witnessing and one of the 5 songs from Radio Dei's: "Record Of The Week" November 2007.
Don't You See? One of the 14 songs from the new release: Spirit In The Dark! Christian-Charles de Plicque, Angel House International Records Finland. listen to or download the excerpt from Radio Dei's: "Record Of The Week" (9mb, mp3)
2007
Finland's Blues News Magazine cd Review: November 2007
2007
Inhemska musiktalanger tar ut svängarna i äkta svart gospel
. Krykpressen (Torsdag 11.10.2007).
2007
Det här är bra hela vägen.
(This CD is great from start to finish.
)
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