Search - Le Vent du Nord :: Maudite Moisson ! (IMPORT)

It's French, It's Quebec, It's Wonderful Music

Ronnie P. Guimond | Reston, VA USA | 01/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Celtic with a twist!

K. Swanson | Rohnert Park, CA USA | 08/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Celtic Fest favorites

Garrett Derner | Chicago IL | 11/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."