Borders, barriers, ‘I want to destroy them’, growls Eric Cantona (57). And he did it: the ex-footballer, superstar of Manchester United in the 1990s, is now a singer of his own heartfelt ballads on the border between rock and chanson, which you can (with a lot of good will) hear somewhere on the same level as the old Leonard Cohen can post.
The Amsterdam Meervaart is far from full for his Dutch stage debut, but we are curious: that crazy bird of paradise Cantona, what will this be? Well, it’s not good. The pianist and cellist consistently operate above the pain threshold, while Cantona (black hat, white shirt, dark trousers and bright red walking boots) sings fervently, growling, with a pocket flask within reach to lubricate the throat.
He keeps his microphone pressed against his mouth at all times, even when he is not singing, so that he sounds as if he is calling from his racing bike all evening long.
In terms of stage presentation it is a delight. Martial statue poses, spread arms like Christ the Redeemer, you can laugh out loud (we did too), but he does prove one thing, albeit unintentionally: you compensate on such a stage with the physical self-confidence of a former top scorer not everything, but a lot.
It’s phenomenal. Not in a qualitative sense, but differently. Cantona spots his father’s ghost in the rafters of the theater and points, “Daddy!” He sings a song for Palestine. And indeed: The Friends We Losthis most beautiful song, is also quite beautiful live.
The two stars for this piece could also have been five. Or a. It just depends on how you see it. Cantona is coming to Rotterdam in October. That doesn’t get any better, but nevertheless: highly recommended.
Cantona Sings Eric
Pop
Eric Cantona
★★☆☆☆
26/4 Meervaart, Amsterdam. Repeat: 29/10 Oude Luxor Theater, Rotterdam.
