Écouter takes direct object pronoun?

Question

From the lesson: J'aime l'écouter. (I like to listen to him.)

Écouter = to listen to

Isn't this use of 'him' an example of an indirect object, and therefore, "J'aime lui écouter", correct?

Unless écouter isn't a verb that's usually by à, but it sure seems that it is.

Accepted Answer

J'écoute le prof. -- I listen to the teacher.J'écoute de la musique. -- I listen to music.
But never: j'écoute à....Consequently no lui/leur.
-- Chris. (not a native speaker).

Answer

Bonjour Lewis et Chris !Indeed the verb écouter in French takes a direct object: 
écouter [quelque chose] = to listen to [something]
In "écouter de la musique", the "de" isn't a preposition, but the partitive article [de la = some] used with uncountable nouns (you can't say une musique, deux musiques...).I hope that's helpful!À bientôt !