In Finisterre, I recall my last conversation with Manu, back in Brixton, talking about the ubiquitous use of the word ‘mentira’ (liar) on Clandestino, notably in the song of the same name, with its refrain of ‘todo es mentira en este mundo’ (everything in this world is a lie). I said that Latin songs seem to use the word ‘mentira’ almost as much as ‘corazón’ (heart). Lovers are always suspecting their loved ones of lying to them. ‘Well, lovers lie,’ Manu said. Then, after a pause, he added, ‘but absolute love is not a lie’.
This provoked Manu into a reminiscence about the moment he realised Clandestino might succeed. It was in Mal-pica, the next port around the coast from Finisterre, not long after the album’s release. ‘It’s a fisherman town and there is a club by the sea. They play heavy metal – all the fishermen love Judas Priest and AC/DC. I had a friend who wanted to listen to Clandestino and I kept saying no. I thought these fishermen would hate it. But my friend put it on anyway and they let it play till the end. They accepted it, which was incredible to me. Except one guy, an old fisherman, who got angry at the line “todo es mentiras en este mundo” and started shouting at me – ‘I don’t agree with you! Come outside!’ And so I went outside with him and there was a storm, and he pointed at the sea and said: “The sea is not a lie! The sea is not a lie!”’
Discography
Bibliography
Photo credits
Acknowledgements
Index
Discography
The Manu Chao discography is quite a complex affair, with many guest appearances, in addition to work with his earlier bands. For updates and intricacies, the French wiki site on Manu is worth checking out (fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manu_Chao).
In addition to the CDs and DVDs listed below, Manu and his bands and collaborators feature extensively on YouTube, including footage going back to Hot Pants and even Joint de Culasse. You’ll find links to some of the best material on my website: www.peterculshaw.com
* * *
JOINT DE CULASSE (1982–84)
* * *
Manu Chao (guitar); Antoine Chao (trumpet); Santiago Casariego (drums); Jean-Marc Despeignes (bass).
1982: SUPER BOUM ROCK’N’ROLL (Force Records)
1. Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins); 2. Have You Seen My Baby; 3. My Girl Joséphine (Fats Domino); 4. Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis); 5. My Dear My Dear; 6. Lonesome Train; 7. Memphis Tennessee (Chuck Berry); 8. Tutti Frutti (Little Richard); 9. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry); 10. Let’s Have a Party (Elvis Presley); 11. Keep On Knocking; 12. Wait; 13. Louie Louie (Richard Berry); 14. Oh! Carol.
* * *
HOT PANTS (1984–86)
* * *
Manu Chao (guitar/voclas); Pascal Borne (guitar); Jean-Marc Despeignes (bass); Santiago Casariego(drums).
1984: DEMO [Cassette]
1. Mala Vida; 2. Readyé; 3. Give It Up.
1985: SO MANY NITES [45]
So Many Nites / Lover Alone.
1985: HOT CHICAS (HOT PANTS, LOS CARAYOS, CHIHUAHUA)
Hot Pants tracks: 1. Rosamaria; 2. Blue Jeans Talk; 3. I’m Ready.
1986: LOCO MOSQUITO (All Or Nothing)
1. African Witch; 2. Chicken Chat; 3. Ay Que Dolor; 4. Ball And Chain; 5. Rosamaria; 6. Gipsy; 7. Come On; 8. Ya Llego; 9. Craw-Daddy; 10. Lazy Pal; 11. Junky Beat; 12. Ma Dear; 13. Can’t Let It Down (on 2000 re-release).
* * *
MANO NEGRA (1984–86)
* * *
Manu Chao aka Oscar Tramor (vocals, guitar); Antoine Chao aka Tonio del Borño (trumpet); Santiago Casariego aka Santi (drums); Joséph Dahan aka Jo (bass); Pierre Gauthé aka Krøpöl (trombone); Thomas Darnal aka Helmut Krumar (keyboards); Daniel Jamet aka Roger Cageot (lead guitar); Philippe Teboul aka Garbancito (percussion).
1988: PATCHANKA (Boucherie Productions)
1. Mano Negra; 2. Ronde De Nuit; 3. Baby You’re Mine; 4. Indios de Barcelona; 5. Rock Island Line; 6. Noche De Acción; 7. Darling Darling (with Les Casse Pieds); 8. Killin’ Rats; 9. Mala Vida; 10. Takin’ It Up; 11. La Ventura; 12. Lonesome Bop; 13. Bragg Jack; 14. Salga La Luna.
1989: PU TA’S FEVER (Virgin France)
1. Mano Negra; 2. Rock’n’roll Band; 3. King Kong Five; 4. Soledad; 5. Sidi H’bibi; 6. The Rebel Spell; 7. Peligro; 8. Pas Assez De Toi; 9. Magic Dice; 10. Mad House; 11. Guayaquil City; 12. Voodoo; 13. Patchanka; 14. La Rançon Du Succès; 15. The Devil’s Call; 16. Roger Cageot; 17. El Sur; 18. Patchuko Hop
1991: KING OF BONGO (Virgin France)
1. Bring The Fire; 2. King Of Bongo; 3. Don’t Want You No More; 4. Le Bruit Du Frigo; 5. Letter To The Censors; 6. El Jako; 7. It’s My Heart; 8. Mad Man’s Dead; 9. Out Of Time Man; 10. Madame Oscar; 11. Welcome In Occident; 12. Furious Fiesta; 13. The Fool; 14. Paris La Nuit.
1992: IN THE HELL OF PATCHINKO – LIVE IN JAPAN (Virgin France)
1. Mano Negra 1; 2. Magic Dice; 3. County Line; 4. Don’t Want You No More; 5. Lonesome Bop; 6. Mano Negra 2; 7. Rock Island Line; 8. King Kong Five; 9. Mad Man’s Dead; 10. Bring The Fire; 11. Indios De Barcelona; 12. El Sur; 13. Killing Rats; 14. Mano Negra; 15. Sidi H’bibi; 16. The Rebel Spell; 17. I Fought The Law; 18. Mano Negra 4; 19. Darling Darling; 20. Patchuko Hop; 21. Mala Vida; 22. Junky Beat; 23. Madeline.
1994: CASA BABYLON (Virgin France)
1. Viva Zapata; 2. Casa Babylon; 3. The Monkey; 4. Señor Matanza; 5. Santa Maradona; 6. Super Changó; 7. Bala Perdida; 8. Machine Gun; 9. El Alakran; 10. Mama Perfect; 11. Love And Hate; 12. Drives Me Crazy; 13. Hamburger Fields; 14. La Vida; 15. Sueño De Solentiname.
2005: MANO NEGRA: OUT OF TIME (Virgin France, 2005) DVD.
As well as superb on the road footage, this documentary put together by Mano Negra (without Manu) has fabulous archive material including the Pigalle, Cargo and Colombian tours, mostly shot by François Bergeron.
* * *
MANU CHAO SOLO (1988–)
* * *
1998: CLANDESTINO (Virgin France).
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Antoine Chao (trumpet); Angelo Mancini (trumpet); Anouk Khelifa, Subcomandante Marcos (guest vocals). Produced by Renaud Letang and Manu Chao.
1. Clandestino; 2. Desaparecido; 3. Bongo Bong; 4. Je Ne T’Aime Plus; 5. Mentira; 6. Lágrimas De Oro; 7. Mama Call; 8. Luna Y Sol; 9. Por El Suelo; 10. Welcome To Tijuana; 11. Día Luna … Día Pena; 12. Malegría; 13. La Vie à 2; 14. Minha Galera; 15. La Despedida; 16. El Viento.
2001: PRÓXIMA ESTACIÓN: ESPERANZA (Virgin France).
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Roy Paci (trumpet); Antoine Chao (trumpet); Valeria (guest vocal). Produced by Renaud Letang and Manu Chao.
1. Merry Blues; 2. Bixo; 3. El Dorado 1997; 4. Promiscuity; 5. La Primavera; 6. Me Gustas Tú; 7. Denia; 8. Mi Vida; 9. Trapped By Love; 10. Le Rendez Vous; 11. Mr Bobby; 12. Papito; 13. La Chinita; 14. La Marea; 15. Homens; 16. La Vacaloca; 17. Infinita Tristeza.
2002: RADIO BEMBA SOUND SYSTEM (Virgin France).
Also released as a DVD BABYLONIA EN GUAGUA.
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Madjid Farhem (lead guitar); Gambeat (bass); David Bourguignon (drums); Julio Lobo (keyboards); Bidji aka Lyricson (vocals); Roy Paci (trumpet); Gerard Casajús Gnaita, Philippe Teboul (percussion); B-Roy (accordion).
1. Intro; 2. Bienvenida A Tijuana; 3. Machine Gun; 4. Por Donde Saldra El Sol?; 5. Peligro; 6. Welcome To Tijuana; 7. El Viento; 8. Casa Babylon; 9. Por El Suelo; 10. Blood And Fire; 11. EZLN… Para Tod@s Todo…; 12. Mr Bobby; 13. Bongo Bong; 14. Radio Bemba; 15. Que Paso Que Paso; 16. Pinocchio; 17. Cahi En La Trampa; 18. Clandestino; 19. Rumba De Barcelona; 20. La Despedida; 21. Mala Vida; 22. Radio Bemba; 23. Que Paso Que Paso; 24. Pinocchio 2; 25. La Primavera; 26. The Monkey; 27. King Kong Five; 28. Minha Galera; 29. Promiscuity.
2004: SIBÉRIE M’ÉTAIT CONTÉEE [WITH JACEK WOŹNIAK] (Corida, France; Released as a book and CD in various editions – the tracks multiplying with each release).
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Roy Paci (trumpet); Madjid Farhem (guitar); Cheick Tidiane (keyboards).
1. Le P’tit Jardin; 2. Petite Blonde
Du Boulevard Brune; 3. La Valse À Sale Temps; 4. Les Mille Paillettes; 5. Il Faut Manger; 6. Helno Est Mort; 7. J’Ai Besoin De La Lune; 8. L’Automne Est Làs; 9. Si Loin De Toi… Je Te Joue…; 10. 100.00 Remords; 11. Trop Tot, Trop Tard; 12. Te Tromper; 13. Madame Banquise; 14. Les Rues De L’Hiver; 15. Sibérie Fleuve Amour; 16. Les Petites Planètes; 17. Te Souviens Tu; 18. J’ai Besoin De La Lune (Remix); 19. Dans Mon Jardin; 20. Merci Bonsoir; 21 Fou De Toi; 22. Les Yeux Turquoise; 23. Sibérie.
2007: LA RADIOLINA (Because, France).
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Madjid Farhem (guitar and bass); Gambeat (bass, vocals); David Bourguignon (guitar); Roy Paci (trumpet); Antonio Mancini (trumpet); Beatnik, Flor, Tonino Carotone (guest vocals). Produced by Manu Chao.
1. 13 Días; 2. Tristeza Maleza; 3. Politik Kills; 4. Rainin In Paradize; 5. J’Ai Besoin De La Lune; 6. El Kitapena; 7. Me Llaman Calle; 8. A Cosa; 9. The Bleedin Clown; 10. Mundorévès; 11. El Hoyo; 12. La Vida Tómbola; 13. Mala Fama; 14. Panik Panik; 15. Otro Mundo; 16. Piccola Radiolina; 17. ¿Y Ahora Que?; 18. Mama Cuchara; 19. Siberia; 20. Soñe Otro Mundo; 21. Amalucada Vida.
2008: ESTACIÓN MÉXICO (Alicia Multiforo, 2008; 2 CD semi-bootleg, recorded live in Forum Alicia, Mexico City).
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Madjid Farhem (guitar); Gambeat (bass); Philippe Teboul (percussion); David Bourguignon (drums); Julio Lobos (keyboards); Angelo Mancini (trumpet).
CD1: 1. Clandestino; 2. Por Ti (Libertad); 3. Giramundo; 4. Cabra Da Peste; 5. Para De Beber; 6. El Contragolpe; 7. Carreteiro; 8. Mala Fama; 9. Desaparecido; 10.. Cuándo Llegaré?; 11. Zapato Viejo; 12. Bienvenida A Tijuana; 13. La Vida Tómbola; 14. 5 Minutos.
CD2: 1. El Hoyo; 2. Peligro; 3. Casa Babylon; 4. Mamá Perfecta; 5. Sueño De Solentiname; 6. Tadibobeira; 7. Por El Suelo; 8. Mr Bobby; 9. La Primavera; 10. Radio Bemba.
2009: BAIONARENA (Because, France; Live album recorded at the Bayonne Arena 30 July 2008; 2 CD + DVD).
Manu Chao (guitar/vocals); Madjid Farhem (guitar); Gambeat (bass); Philippe Teboul (percussion); David Bourguignon (drums); Julio Lobos (keyboards); Angelo Mancini (trumpet).
CD 1: 1. Panik, Panik; 2. El Hoyo; 3. Peligro; 4. Casa Babylon; 5. Tumba; 6. Mr. Bobby; 7. La Primavera; 8. Radio Bemba; 9. Bienvenida a Tijuana; 10. El Viento; 11. The Monkey; 12. Clandestino; 13. Desaparecido; 14. Rumba De Barcelona; 15. La Despedida/Mentira.
CD 2: 1. Rainin’ In Paradize; 2. A Cosa; 3. La Vacaloca; 4. Hamburger Fields/Merry Blues; 5. Tristeza Maleza; 6. Dia Luna … Dia Pena; 7. Machine Gun; 8. Volver, Volver; 9. Radio Bemba/Eldorado 1997; 10. Mala Vida; 11. Sidi H’Bibi; 12. Radio Bemba; 13. Forzando Maquina/Mr Bobby; 14. Me Quedo Contigo (Si Me Das A Elegir); 15. La Vida Tómbola; 16. L’Hiver Est Là; 17. Crèv’ La Vie; 18. Pinocchio (Viaggio In Groppa Al Tonno).
DVD Disc 3: 1. Full Concert Live At Bayonne Arena; 2. 30 Minute Tour Documentary; 3. Six Music Videos; 4. Exclusive Photos.
* * *
SINGLES AND REMIXES
* * *
1998–99: CLANDESTINO; Je Ne T’Aime plus; Bongo Bong; Desaparecido.
2001: ME GUSTAS TÚ.
2004-2005: PETITE BLONDE DU BOULEVARD BRUNE;
IL FAUT MANGER.
2007–08: RAININ IN PARADIZE; ME LLAMAN CALLE;
BESOIN DE LA LUNE; POLITIK KILLS; LA VIDA TÓMBOLA; A COSA (Prince Fatty remix).
* * *
SONGS ON COMPILATIONS
* * *
2000: TOUS LES JOURS ON EMMAüS MOUVEMENT (Virgin).
2002: PUT IT ON (version of the Bob Marley song) on La Colifata album; also on 2003 album Per Palestina (Xarxa).
2006: MAMBO ESCUDELLERS on Mariatchi Boogie (CD Baby). Benefit for Barcelona squatters movement.
2007: ALLONS ENFANTS DE L’OVALIE Version of the Mano Negra song “Ronde De Nuit” for the Rugby World Cup in France (broadcast only on Inter radio – but now on YouTube).
* * *
DVDS
* * *
2002: BABYLONIA EN GUAGUA Live concert recorded at Grande Halle de Villette, Paris, 4/5 September 2001. Plus backstage documentary BABYLON’S FEVER including footage of Manu at Genoa.
2009: BAIONARENA Live concert recorded at Bayonne Arena, 2008. See above for track listings.
* * *
MAJOR COLLABORATIONS/PRODUCTIONS
* * *
1997: ANOUK Automatik Kalamity (1997 Virgin). Produced and played guitar throughout the album. Anouk was Manu’s long-term partner during the Mano Negra years.
2002: LA COLIFATA La Colifata (download only). Manu produced the album with La Colifata, the Buenos Aires mental asylum. He plays and sings along with the patients and created a backing track.
2004: AMADOU & MARIAM Dimanche À Bamako (Because). Producer, musician, singer, arranger. Also co-composer of several tracks.
2006: AKLI D’S Ma Yela (Because). Produced album and contributed vocals and guitar for French-Algerian troubadour.
2010: SMOD SMOD (Because). Produced album for Malian hip hop group featuring Amadou and Mariam’s son, Sam.
* * *
OTHER GUEST APPEARANCES
* * *
1991: NEGU GORRIAK Gora Herria (Esan Ozenki).
Guests on album.
1992: TODOS TUS MUERTOS Dale Aborigen (Todos Tus Muertos Discos). Guests on album.
1994: NEGU GORRIAK Hipokrisiari Stop! Bilbo 93-X- 30 (Esan Ozenki). Vocals on live version of “Gora Herria”.
1995: TIJUANA NO! Transgresores De La Ley (BMG).
Wrote and contributes vocals/guitar on “Borregos Kamikazes”.
1996: SKANK O Samba Poconé (Sony).
Guitar/vocals on “Sem Terra”.
1996: JOAQUIN SABINA Yo, Mi, Me, Contigo (BMG/Ariola). Guitar/vocals on “No Sopor… No Sopor…”.
1997: AMPARANOIA El Poder De Machin (Edel). Guitar/vocals on “Sidi Beach” and “Que Te Den”.
1998: FERMIN MUGURUZA Brigadistak Sound System (Esan Ozenki). Guitar/bass on “Maputxe”.
1999: TONINO CAROTONE Mondo Difficile (EMI).
Guitar/vocals on “Me Cago En El Amor” and “Pecatore”.
1999: AMPARANOIA Fiesta Furiosa (Edel). Guests on tracks
“Desperado” and “Caravane”.
1999: IDIR Identités (Sony). Plays on “A Tulawin (Une Algérienne Debout)”, which was reprised as “Denia” on Próxima Estación: Esperanza.
2001: WAGNER PA Brazuca Matraca. Guests on tracks “Folía”, “Cold” and “Circo Místico”.
2001: NOIR DéSIR Des Visages Des Figures (Barclay). Guitar on “Le Vent Nous Portera”.
2001: LUMBALú Me Voy Con El Gusto (Ventilador).
Backing vocals on “Maria Angola”.
2001: KARAMELO SANTO Los Guachos (Benditas).
Production and vocals.
2002: “People Dance” with MIKI-LEZ on Barcelona Zona Bastarda (Double Compilation, Organic Records).
2003: MOUSS & HAKIM “La Gnake” on compilation True Colours – The World In Union (Virgin, France). Composed and produced the track, and plays guitar.
2003: GO LEM SYSTEM Viaje (Go Lem System).
Guitar on “See Me Dubbing” and “Salvavidas”.
2004: JANE BIRKIN Rendez-Vous (Capitol).
Duets on “Te Souviens-Tu?”
2004: SMOD Ta I Tola (Mali release).
Plays on several tracks, with Amadou & Mariam.
2005: GO LEM SYSTEM Cacería (K Industria).
Vocals/guitar on “Calle Go Lem”, a version of “Me Llaman Calle”.
2005: OS PARALAMAS DO SUCESSO Hoje (EMI).
Guests on “Soledad Cidadão”.
2005: F.UR.T.O. Sangue Audiência (Sony/BMG).
Vocals on “Todos Debaixo Do Mesmo Sombrero”.
2006: TOOTS & THE MAYTALS True Love (V2).
Duets on a version of “Merry Blues” with Toots.
2006: EL GAFLA Pa/Ris-Casbah (La Veille/Sequenza).
Duets on version of “Clandestino”.
2007: LA PEGATINA Al Carrer! (Kasba Music).
Guitar on “O Camareiro”.
2007: ROY PACI & ARETUSKA Suonoglobal (Etnagigante).
Vocals on “Toda Joia Toda Beleza”.
2007: FERMIN MUGURUZA Asthmatic Lion Sound Systems (Talka).
Vocals/guitar on “Milaka Bilaka“.
2008: MOKOBÉ DU 113 Mon Afrique (Sony/BMG).
Vocals/guitar on “Politique” (version of “Politik Kills”.
2008: TONINO CAROTONE Ciao Mortali! (Nacional).
Vocals/guitar on “Me Cago En El Amor” and “Pecatore”.
2008: PLAYING FOR CHANGE Live (online video).
Vocals/guitar on “One Love”.
2012: TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA Walkin (Avex/Sony).
Vocals/guitar on “Let Me Come The River Flow”.
Bibliography
In English
MANO NEGRA by Cathy Lamri, Olivier Aubry, Tom Dard and La Mano (Patchanka/Syros, 1994). A wonderful LP-sized scrapbook of Mano Negra photos and ephemera.
MANU & CHAO by Wozniak (Because Music, 2012). Another winning large-format illustrated book, created by Manu’s regular collaborator, the Polish-born illustrator Jacek Wozniak. A playful, meditative collection of photos and images centred around Manu’s life and causes.
THE TRAIN OF FIRE AND ICE: MANO NEGRA IN COLOMBIA by Ramón Chao (Route Publishing, 2010). Manu’s father goes on the Colombian train trip and lives to tell the (evocatively written) tale.
ROCKIN’ LAS AMERICAS: THE GLOBAL POLITICS OF LATIN/O AMERICA edited by Deborah Pacini Hernandez, Hector Fernández L’Hoeste and Eric Zolov (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2004). Fascinating collection of essays on the often criminal history of rock in Latin America, including a chapter on Manu by Josh Kun.
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