SI ON AVAIT BESOIN D'UNE CINQUIÈME SAISON

I did not know this Canadian group of French language, in Italy it is almost unknown and I have never found it in any prog rankings.

Being a lover of folk, and prog of the golden age, I am very happy to have made this discovery through Progarchives. This symphonic folk album is delightful and enjoyable. But let's go in order.

1. Vert (5:35) Beautiful start with the flute and then with the phrasing of acoustic guitar and singing in French. Graceful, pleasant and flowing song but then over time Harmonium indulge too much in choirs with onomatopoeic sounds that make the piece a little evanescent until the end where the flutes return. Rating 7.5 / 8.

2. Dixie (3:26) Very retro music, from music hall, with swing accents, worthy of a movie soundtrack, very light and danceable. It is the weakest piece on the album. Rating 6.5.

3. Depuis l'automne (10:28) Mini suite that concludes the first side, it begins with a slow synth piece by Serge Locat, which serves as an intro for the voice and the usual acoustic guitar, followed by a piece with piano and choirs, then we listen to an excellent climax sung with passion. Soon after the synths piece returns this time accompanied by arpeggios on acoustic guitar. This instrumental interlude lasts up to 6 minutes and 50 seconds, when the acoustic guitar starts again, here with a rhythmic function, accompanied by choirs, perhaps too indulgent. After 8 and a half minutes the singing returns and we end up with the choir in crescendo. Rated 8+

Side B

4. En pleine face (4:51) It starts with the acoustic guitar and a very soft voice, worthy of Nick Drake. Melodically they could have inspired certain Fleetwood Mac songs. The almost new age tone is surprising. Towards the end there is a fine crescendo, essential for the success of the track which, otherwise, would be too limp. Eventually the usual na-na-na choruses and Michel Normandeau's accordion arrive. Rating 8.

5. Histoires sans paroles (17:12) : - L'isolement - L'appel - La rencontre - L'union - Le grand bal

As the title says, the lyrics are missing from this suite. It is a very inspired piece with beautiful phrasing from guitar (Serge Fiori) and flutes. At about 2 minutes there are some vocalizations (Judi Richards). The group manages to make the most with the melody: rhythmic progressions and slowdowns, changes of atmosphere until reaching the climax around 9 minutes, when the vocalizations arrive again. But overall more than a suite it is a musical "aria" with variations on the aquatic theme and atmospheric sounds that predict the new age. Towards the end there is a new climax with the flutes. Evocative pastoral track, masterpiece of the album. Rated 8.5

Total time 41:33

Symphonic folk album characterized by an ethereal, dreamy, almost new age mood where the melody is alternated with atmospheric moments. Basically the arrangements are built on a carpet of synths or other types of keyboards, acoustic guitar arpeggios and flutes. The vocals have a narrative function when they are sung by a single singer, and an evocative hypnotic function when there are choirs of onomatopoeic sounds. Very relaxing album, pleasant most of the time - but sometimes too evanescent.

Rated 8.5. Four stars.