Matapat, Music Traditionnelle du Québec
Bourque, Bernard & Lepage
The Borealis Recording Company
1998
12 tracks
While it may have its roots in Québec, the music of Benoit Bourque, Gaston Bernard, and Simon Lepage takes the listener back to simpler times across the nation and around the world. Here are echoes of a prairie barn dance, a maritime ceilidh, the French folk music of Acadia and Louisiana, the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, France, Greece, and the Mediterranean.
Those who are perhaps not enamoured with folk music should not be put off by the subtitle of this release, Music Traditionnelle du Québec, which may tend to be misleading. This music may draw upon tradition and may echo times past, but its spirit is lively and contemporary. An artful blend of traditional Québec folk music with Celtic, Jazz, and other influences from around the world, this music is alternately relaxing and toes-tapping bright.
The title song especially has a "world" sound that is hard to place, sometimes Canada, sometimes Africa or Europe, always lively and interesting.
One nice touch is that the liner notes are provided in both English and French, a practice which might be recommended for more Canadian musicians performing in either language.
The liner notes do not make clear which of the three sings on any given song, but it should be noted that one of them has an exceedingly sweet voice. This is especially evident in "La musette et la hautbois" and "Beau rossignol sauvage," both songs of love for which his voice is ideally suited.
It is hard not to get up and dance to the lively rhythms of songs such as "La turlutte a 'Pit'" and "La suite du Bourque émissaire," among others. Here, surely, is a traditional element that should please most if not all listeners.
Those who enjoy their folk music with a contemporary flavour will surely enjoy the variety of diversity of these twelve songs. Perhaps because of the diverse musical influences which these three musicians bring to their work, every song brings with it fresh surprises for the listener.
Those wishing to learn more about Bourque, Bernard & Lepage may do so at their web site. Read my review of Bourque, Bernard & Lepage's new release, Petit Fou, at Sound Bytes.
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Review Written: February 1, 1999
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