The Whole Music Experience

Le Vent du Nord Tromper Le Temps Borealis Records Hailing from Quebec, Le Vent du Nord also performed at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in 2003, as part of a celebration of traditional Quebecois music.   I interviewed the quartet, who at the time had a different line-up than the band has today.   Six albums and ten years later, Le Vent du Nord (the north wind) still rallies on, fired by founding members Nicolas Boulerice (hurdy-gurdy, piano, voice), Olivier Demers (violin/fiddle, feet, mandolin, electric guitar, voice), and Simon Beaudry (guitar, voice, bouzouki) and Réjean Brunet (accordion, bass, piano, jaw harp and voice).   Even when these musicians sing sober lyrics, you still feel like you have been invited to a soirée. Take a listen to the rousing opener Lettre À Durham , in which the singers address the 19th century English diplomat who inspired the Union Act bringing Lower and Upper Canada together, despite the Quebecois wishes.  ...

Genticorum Nagez Rameurs Independent/Quebecois I'm fond of the joy of life portrayed in traditional Quebecois music.  I enjoy the new world history, the stories of the Quebecois forebears and modern fusion that blends Celtic, other folkloric traditions (think Scandinavian folk!) and even jazz to Quebecois music.  Similar to Le Vent du Nord and a large popular Quebecois group’s whose name escapes me at this time, Genticorum brings us the best of both worlds—the old and the new and always fresh and vibrant. This marks the second review I’m writing on this Quebecois trio (Alexandre Moulin—flute, fretless bass, fiddle and vocals, Yann Falquet—guitar and vocals and Pascal Gemme—fiddle/violin, feet, and vocals).  Nagez Rameurs features a diverse repertoire which brings in Mètis fiddling, bluegrass swing, and even indirect psychedelic-spiritual influences!  The music flows at a medium tempo with slow ballads and laments peppering the recording.  Th...

Michèle Choinière La Violette Independent release (Franco-American folkloric) I read the book The Town that Food Saved that focused on the food system of a village of 3,000 people, Hardwick, Vermont. The author of the book mentioned a community of French-Canadians that immigrated to Vermont to set up dairy farms during the early decades of the 20th century. While there are few French-Canadian dairy farms left in Vermont and many of the former Canadians assimilated into American (US) culture, a few diehards such as Michèle Choinière still exist. And what’s interesting about Choinière is that she collects music from Acadians, Quebecois, 20th century France and her own lineage in Vermont. She considers La Violette a dance album and sure enough, you’ll find waltzes and soiree (kitchen party) send-ups on the album. While there isn't enough space in a CD review to delve into contrasts and comparisons between the Franco-Vermont music and Cajun music of Louisiana or tradition...

Le Vent Du Nord La Part Du Feu Borealis Records Chuck and Albert Ènergie Independent release (Canada) For those of us that reside in the northern hemisphere with emphasis on northern, it’s time to gather near the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate or cider in your hands. And for those of you suffering from cold toes, place some traditional Quebecois music in your player and get your feet tapping. Two new releases, La Part Due Feu (the fourth studio recording by Le Vent Du Nord) and the appropriately titled Ènergie (Chuck & Albert from Prince Edward Island) ought to do the trick. I fell in love with traditional Quebecois music years ago and my collection has grown and I hope my knowledge of this music has grown as well. Le Vent Du Nord came to my attention during the summer of 2003 when an early incarnation of the quartet performed at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Step dancing, fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, guitar and hearty vocals were ...

Genticorum La Bibournoise Mad River Records Traditional Quebecois music first came to my attention when I saw a Quebecois ensemble perform at the university I was attending. The second time, Quebecois captured my attention was when I watched the Quebecois classic film, My Uncle Antoine by Claude Jutra. A scene that took place in the country store, where most of the film’s action also took place, the town’s people kick up their heels to folksy Quebecois music. This musical tradition revisited me at WOMAD USA in 2001, when the original lineup of Matapat performed and gave a demonstration of the traditional instruments and step dancing that makes up this French-language music. What’s not to love about this lively musical fare that combines humor, pathos, passionate fiddles, lyrical passages and rhythms played out on feet? This is one tradition that shows no signs of dying, unlike many folk traditions around the world. I have already heard numerous recordings by Quebecois lumina...