Renaud revisits “Manhattan-Kaboul” in a symphonic version, with singer Noée

The singer unveils a new version of this emblematic title as part of a symphonic album released Friday.

One of Renaud’s greatest hits is adorned with symphonic orchestration. The singer unveiled a rearranged version of Manhattan-Kaboul, a 2002 hit, which he performed at the time with Axelle Red. The Belgian singer was replaced by Noée, a young artist whose first EP Sleepless nights was unveiled in September.

This new title is accompanied by a clip in which the singer of Song for Pierrot drives a yellow New York taxi in the rain. Sitting in the back seat, her singing partner gives her the cue.

This new song is taken from In my ropes, a new album composed of around twenty titles from his catalog, re-recorded in the studio with two string quartets. Five of these songs are live recordings from his latest tour, also called In my ropes: Knocked up, Manu, As soon as the wind blows, Morgana from you and finally The Northern Irish Ballad.

“I have made progress vocally”

The title of his album of course refers to his vocal cords “damaged by years of wandering and alcohol”, as he told AFP yesterday.

“But, strangely, I have made progress vocally, I don’t sing to perfection – which is what we expect from a great singer – but compared to the ‘Phoenix Tour’ (2017 live album, Editor’s note), I I’ve made progress.”

The album In my ropes also addresses the “ill-intentioned” who predicted “chaos in the ring ropes” for Renaud when he returned to the stage in 2023, after six years of absence in concert.

“No one bet a cent on my tour, but we extended it,” rejoices the artist. He now begins to dream of “a tour in 2025”, for his 50th anniversary of recording career.