Customer Reviews

Maudite Moisson ! (IMPORT)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful record of traditional music from Quebec. The music tends to be upbeat, toe-tapping music, often accompanied by foot-clogging that makes you want to get up and dance. These upbeat numbers are mixed with some beautiful waltzes and laments. Many of the songs also have the traditional Quebecoise call-and-response structure. More often than not the songs have playful, humorous lyrics, contrasting with melodies that sound like they were born of lives of hardship. Other melodies swing or have a lyrical or wistful feel to them. One traditional Quebec lament, about a man who swears off women and retires to a convent, has been given a slow, jazzy guitar and piano accompaniment that wouldn't be out of place in Porgy and Bess. The singing and musicianship on fiddle, accordion, guitar and hurdy-gurdy is great and there is a liveliness and freshness throughout. French song words are provided in the accompanying booklet, along with brief French and English notes on each piece. I have heard this band in concert, and the record captures the fun and energy of their live performances.

This group caught my eye on the Richmond, VA folk festival homepage. They are from Quebec, their music is French-canadian Quebecoise but mostly importantly, their music is wonderful! Almost every song on this CD is unique and well produced. If you don't understand French then go to their website and see the translation there--but you really don't need to know French to enjoy the music. This is not just some collection of esoteric folk songs, this group provides an intertaining brand of traditional music while preserving the roots of each song's musical origin. I love the foot tapping beat that accompanies almost every song. The group masterfully blends various folk instruments to include the Hurdy Gurdy.

The group's real talent though is their ability to work together in their play and in their call-and-response harmonies that will have you humming many of their tunes in your head long after you've heard them.

Among my favorites are Grand Pit/Reel a deux tetes, Vive L'amour/Reel a Ti-Zoune, and Cher Amis Buvons

Grand Pit/Reel a deux tetes--This is a great song and if you take the time to understand the lyrics it tells a great story that I seem to recall all too well in one form or another from my childhood in Northern Maine.

Vive L'amour--lively, catchy, and upbeat this is one of those songs your remember and hum to all day long.

Cher Amis Buvon--I can't help to think that this is the quebecoise version of a rap song. It's short and it's just vocals and feet but I found myself trying in vain to sing it myself--so cool.

Also great are Au bord de la Fontaine--sets the tempo for the rest of the CD. Riton/C'est dan Paris--a ballad that just is so well sung that it sends chills through me everytime I hear it.

If you're into Celtic and Folk and want to try a refreashing change of pace and good music check this group out. I have a feeling these guys will be around for quite some time putting out great music.

Le Vent du Nord is traditional Quebecois music - that is, Celtic with a certain something that, for me, is the spirit of Quebec. With the traditional foot-tapping accompanying every song, amazing multi-part harmony by well-developed male voices, Maudite Moisson ! is a must for anyone who enjoys music with great rhythm and lots of soul! My particular favorites are tracks 1 (Au Bord de la Fontaine), 5 (Chers Amis Buvons) and 7 (Le Moine Complaisant). Don't let the language stop you! All the songs are well-described in the libretto so that, although you may not understand every word, you understand the spirit behind the sound. This album gets the highest recommendation from this music-lover.

I do not have this CD yet, but I'm sure getting it! This very fun new/old-time group was well liked by the overflow crowd who found their tent at the 2003 Chicago Celtic Fest. Most musical and most fun group of the festival in my opinion.

If you have heard La Bottine Souriante, well here is another cool trad French Canadian band, with maybe even more energy.

You can here a sample and read more about Le Vent du Nord
at the BorealisRecords web site.

[Update] After I wrote the above, I did indeed buy the CD, and I am happy with it. I should clarify one point: Le Vent du Nord has a traditional sound, not very similar to recent work from La Bottine Souriante. When I wrote the review above, I was thinking of early LBS, before they added horns.

This song is so catchy! I've been humming it all day. These guys are great.

this cd was a surprise to us all this summer....completely engaging for all ages and languages! the spirit of the music is intoxicating. we cant turn it off.

I first saw this group at the Celtic Festival in Sebastopol, CA in 2007 and bought all their CDs. This is the original line-up and they're great. If you are not familiar with traditional music from Quebec, but you like Celtic music, you should give them a listen. The dance tunes are frequently Irish or Scottish in origin, although there are original tunes as well. The songs are in French; some are new, most are new arrangements of old French songs. These guys are great musicians and the arrangements are very catchy, and you don't have to know French to enjoy the songs. The other albums are also very enjoyable. First they changed guitarists and then accordionists, but I recommend all their CDs. See them live if you get the chance. Lively, jazz-infused folk, tastefully arranged.

This CD brings back memories of childhood. True gem of a collection of French Canadian music.

Love this CD, it reminds me of the days I spent on the farm in Canada and my grandparents had parties in their home and we danced and ate wonderful food late into the night. I still find myself dancing here in Fl. when I play " Maudite Moisson"