title: The Black Session: Paris, 10 May 2011
text: # The Black Session: Paris, 10 May 2011
  
  Professional ratings :
  
  | Aggregate scores ||
  | - | - |
  | Source | Rating |
  | Metacritic | 70/100 |
  | Review scores ||
  | Source | Rating |
  | AllMusic | |
  | BBC Music | (favorable) |
  | Consequence of Sound | |
  | The Independent | |
  | Pitchfork | 6.3/10 |
  | Uncut | |
  
  The Black Session: Paris, 10 May 2011 is a live album by English rock band Wire, released on 7 February 2012 through the band's own label, Pinkflag.
  
  ## Background
  
  The album was recorded for the Black Sessions, named for the series of radio broadcasts hosted by Bernard Lenoir for French radio station France Inter and featured on the C'est Lenoir show. The name is a pun based on Bernard Lenoir's name, translated literally as "Bernard the black". Recorded at the radio station's Paris studios on 10 May 2011, Wire performed in front of an invited audience.
  
  The Black Session focuses on tracks from Wire's latest album Red Barked Tree from 2011 but also includes songs from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as "Comet" from 2002's Read & Burn 01 EP. It is the first Wire album to feature touring guitarist Matthew Simms, who would become a permanent member in 2012. The album was initially available as an exclusive tour item during Wire's 2011 UK autumn dates, but was released worldwide in February 2012.
  
  ## Track listing
  
  All tracks are written by Robert Grey, Graham Lewis and Colin Newman, except where noted.
  
  ## Personnel
  
  ### Wire
  
  * Robert Grey – drums
  * Graham Lewis – bass, vocals
  * Colin Newman – guitar, vocals
  * Matthew Simms – guitar
  
  ### Production
  
  * Rémi Fessart – engineering, mixing
  * Denis Blackham – mastering
  * Jon Wozencroft – design, photography
  