Customer Reviews

Dans les Airs

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

****1/2: Even though this, the band's third recording, does not quite measure up to their previous effort, mainly because of the nature of the songs, it is still wonderful. The pieces are sung as call and response in harmony, with delightful arrangements and musicianship. The traditional Celtic Acadian reels and dances, performed chiefly on accordian, fiddle, guitar, piano, and that peculiar instrument, the hurdy-gurdy, make for happy, foot-tapping listening. Hard work and archival study was put in to develop their special sound. This is top level group that deserves better recognition south of the Canadian border.

this third album from le vent du nord is as lovely, rousing, and addictive as their last two. anyone who has seen them play live this past year will hear some familiar tunes and also be happy to finally hear rejean's contribution in the studio.

the songs complement as well as add a fresh sound to their current body of work. olivier's fiddle playing rises to the fore as it is always beautiful, sometimes heart breakingly so. nicolas' and simon's voices are as wonderful as ever and full of emotion, and you can sense rejean's infectious smile in his playing. all four of them are incredibly talented musicians and it is a joy to listen to each in turn and together.

if you are new to traditional quebecois music, the music of le vent du nord is a perfect place to start and essential to any music library.

Dans Les Airs is the latest music CD by Le Vent du Nord, a quartet of young singers and instrumentalists. Blending old songs learned from the people of French Canada (including a school janitor on Cape Breton) with their own reals and tunes drawing upon the music of Ireland, Scotland, medieval France, and their own creativity, Le Vent du Nord is a vibrant expression of the full range of the human spirit, from exuberant fun to bittersweet reflections. Of especial interest is Le Vent du Nord's inclusion of the traditional French hurdy-gurdy, a stringed instrument with a rotating wheel that acts a constant bow, known for being notoriously difficult to properly tune. Highly recommended. The tracks are Rosette (3:55); La piastre des Etats (4:10); La veillee chez Poirier (2:57); La traversee (4:31); Tour a bois (3:01); Le vieux cheval (3:04); Petit reve III (2:48); Les larmes aux yeux (4:28); La beaute du mariage (4:24); Du Labrador a Montmagny (3:53); Le berger (3:17); L'heure bleue (4:02); and La fille et les dragons (5:05).

I purchased this album a few years ago (winter 2008), yet it remains one of my personal favorites. I tend to quickly and easily tire of music and artists, but this album has been an exception. Its musical style is refreshingly high-spirited and fun. This is an album I am glad to have stuck in my head hours after listening. Even if you're doubtful about a purchase because you do not speak French or have no previous exposure to French Canadian folk music, I recommend taking a risk on this album. I doubt you will regret it.

I rarely buy music, but after hearing these guys on Pandora I just had to have their CD.

The major positive I have to say is that this is not one of the albums where you hear one song and like it and the rest are crap. They are all amazing.

One of my favorite cd's of all time. Have been playing for years and had to replace it with a new copy.

Great CD.

This album features the current line-up of the band and they're fantastic. This is a joyous, catchy blend of traditional Quebecois music with a more modern sensibility. Everyone but the fiddler sings solo, they all sing response, and there are many instrumentals. Besides fiddle and guitar, the hurdy-gurdy player doubles on piano, and the button-accordionist also plays bass. There is also percussion provided by foot-stamping in the traditional style. If you haven't heard music from Quebec, this band is a great place to start. As on their other albums, there are tunes of Irish and Scottish origin, some with very old French roots, and some originals. You have to hear it to appreciate how beautiful this music is. I recommend this CD very highly.

This third album by Vent du Nord is pure pleasure to listen to. My French is not entirely up to understanding the lyrics (they sing so fast that I catch about half when I just listen), but that's really irrelevant (though if you want the words in an English translation, you can go to the band's webpage & search under "Paroles") - often they don't make a lot of sense. What is easy to understand is the totally infectious intermingling of instruments, voices, and percussive foot pounding that characterizes most of the tracks on this album. I can't imagine sitting still as you listen to the driving rhythms and joyous sounds of these songs.

The person I gave it to says he likes the music and thanked me for the introduction to a new band.

Every time I listened to this album I remember seeing Le Vent du Nord live.

I discovered them at the Sebastopol Celtic Festival. The positive energy level in the room was amazing! I just wish I could have been there the day before when they (along with Baka Beyond) gave a concert for 500 local elementary school kids. Reports are that the kids went totally nuts: jumping up and down, twirling around, and dancing in the aisles.