La Chicane is a critically acclaimed rock band from Québec who released 3 popular albums between 1999 and 2003, and a compilation in 2006. Their premiere album, En Catimini, won a Juno (Best selling Francophone album), a Félix (Best Group of the Year) and sold 200,000 copies. Their second album , Disparu, went double platinum. Over the years they have been nominated for three additional Junos including Best Group(!).
While two of the founding members (Éric Lemieux and Christian Legault) continue to tour as La Chicane, and released a new album last year (La Cicane), both Dany Bédar and Boom Desjardins have moved on to successful solo careers. (I hope to introduce you to Dany Bédar in the months to come)
While two of the founding members (Éric Lemieux and Christian Legault) continue to tour as La Chicane, and released a new album last year (La Cicane), both Dany Bédar and Boom Desjardins have moved on to successful solo careers. (I hope to introduce you to Dany Bédar in the months to come)
I've been following Boom (Daniel) Desjardins since the single, Ce Que Tu Veux, from his 2004 self-titled album. Showcasing his incredibly powerful voice, the disc became an instant favorite of mine. The 2008 album, On se ressemble tant, was pleasant, but was a bit too easy-listening (think Rod Stewart) for my taste. I feared that after selling more than 800,000 albums, one of the finest voices in Canadian music (and one of the sexiest men on the planet according to a few of the girls at the office) was getting old.With this in mind I'm calling "Rock le Québec" Boom's "comeback" album. Now understand, he has recorded and toured non-stop for 10 years, so calling this a comeback may seem strange - but there is no denying that this IS a return to what Desjardins does best - that being: kick-ass Rock and Roll. And this time around, Boom Explodes!
Rock le Québec is a cover album of songs (1970-1990) by some of the superstars of Québec rock. Hits by bands like Offenbach, Villains Pingouins, and Beau Dommage are featured with brilliant new arrangements that make them accessible to a new generation.
I was surprised to find a spectacular rendition of Ginette Reno's "Je ne suis qu'une chanson". Now, I have always loved Ginette Reno... she was Québec's definitive musical ambassador prior to that skinny girl - Celine something or other... but I would never have expected her to be represented on an album of 'rock' greats. Well folks, Boom's version is absolutely brilliant. Where Ginette's original was beautiful, its re-imagining here is passion incarnate. According to Boom (translated), "I've been singing it since I was eight years old, I had to make it my own." And MAN does he ever!
I was surprised to find a spectacular rendition of Ginette Reno's "Je ne suis qu'une chanson". Now, I have always loved Ginette Reno... she was Québec's definitive musical ambassador prior to that skinny girl - Celine something or other... but I would never have expected her to be represented on an album of 'rock' greats. Well folks, Boom's version is absolutely brilliant. Where Ginette's original was beautiful, its re-imagining here is passion incarnate. According to Boom (translated), "I've been singing it since I was eight years old, I had to make it my own." And MAN does he ever!
Backing Boom's tremendous vocals is the supremely talented Steve Hill on guitar. On the cover of Offenbach's "Ayoye" Hill is channeling some major David Gilmore! More than one friend has mistaken the opening riffs as some unknown Floyd track! This is not to say that he is derivative, nothing could be further from the truth. What Steve Hill IS though, is a talent to be reckoned with! Also on guitar is Jean-Philippe Lagueux of Montréal's The Avenue (check out their linked myspace page. I'm going to be paying very close attention to these guys! Fans of The Killers and Finger Eleven should do the same.)
Rounding off this circle of raw talent, we find Kain's Éric Maheu on bass and Yelo Molo's Yanick Boivin on percussion.
Québec rock - scratch that - ROCK doesn't get any better than this!
Rounding off this circle of raw talent, we find Kain's Éric Maheu on bass and Yelo Molo's Yanick Boivin on percussion.
Québec rock - scratch that - ROCK doesn't get any better than this!
Highlights from the album launch concert...
The point of my music reviews is to introduce you to some of the best music being produced in Québec, knowing that these jewels of progressive rock would otherwise go completely unknown - even though they are selling gold and platinum volumes, and winning both National and Provincial industry awards. I haven't lived in Québec for decades, but I continue to believe that their music industry is quite simply the most exciting in the country.
Well folks, Rock le Québec is an ideal primer to what you've all been missing. It is classic rock that transcends language. With beautiful arrangements, incredibly talented musicians, and Boom's amazing vocals, this album is a MUST for any Canadian rock collection. Not only does it feature the best of the best of three decades of Québec rock (sadly devoid of any Charlebois though - pourquoi??), it somehow comes through as being Boom's most personal album yet. His soul is in this one, and you'd have to be deaf to miss it!
Desjardins is not getting old, and thanks to Rock Le Québec, for a little while anyway, neither am I. Merci bien Boom - ça rock!
For that alone, I give it 8 PeBoPétards!
2 comments:
After Listening To This Album, I find It No Different Than Any Other Rock-n-Roll Album.The
Ballads Are The Same As Any English/American Rock Band. The Whole Album Is Diffenatly Rock-n-Roll, That Any Band Would Be Pleased To Release.
Rock-n-Roll Is Rock-n-Roll In Any Language
New
Bought the album last night. It's my first cd of quebec music. Not bad! Gotta find some more of the 'villain penguins' or whatever they're called, that train song is good. Why do I know 'offenbach'? Did they do something in english?
this guy has a set of pipes on him, that's for sure...kinda reminds me of joe cocker except he can sing. thanks for the intro. good blog too.
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