LE VENT DU NORD
Territoires
Philippe Cousin
Formed in 2002 by Nicolas Boulerice (hurdy-gurdy, piano, vocals) and Simon Beaudry (bouzouki, guitar, vocals), the band has since been joined by Olivier Demers (fiddle, bombard, guitar, feet and vocals) and Réjean Brunet (bass, melodeon, bombard and vocals) and more recently in 2017 by André Brunet (fiddle, feet and vocals).
It is now as a quintet that Le Vent du Nord, ambassador of traditional Quebec folk music, is touring the stages all over the world. It is also for five that they are now offering Territoires, their tenth album. The group performs music from the traditional repertoire as well as some original compositions by one or the other of the band's musicians. They offer us a traditional music but arranged in a very contemporary, lively and energetic way.
Recorded last autumn in Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, a small town north of Montreal, Territoires includes thirteen tracks, songs and instrumentals, which tell us some short stories and the History of Quebec over the past centuries. Real or mythical places, places of creation or belonging, the territories are multiple.
The album begins with a tribute to Samuel de Champlain - Le pays de Samuel - a fundamental figure in the History of Quebec. There is also Adieu du Village, which tells the story of Pierrick's unfortunate love, or Le Soir Arrive, which celebrates eternal love. And then Chaousaro and his legendary creature. Several instrumentals are featured on the album Capitaine Cotillon, Le Step à Alexis, Turlute à Bassinette and Côte-Nord. On most of the songs Le Vent du Nord develops five-voice harmonies with the most beautiful effect.
An album that will become a reference in the world of traditional Quebec music.
Borealis Records BCD258 – www.ciedunord.com