A large tribute to Félix Leclerc, the patron saint of modern chanson in this province, will bring the curtain down on Les FrancoFolies Aug. 2
It's hard to believe that Félix Leclerc, the patron saint of modern Quebec chanson, died 20 years ago. Any discussion of the chansonnier movement, from the 1950s to now, inevitably passes through the bard of Île d'Orléans. His name is immortalized on the awards annually given by ADISQ, for excellence in Quebec music, and the Prix Félix-Leclerc has been given to worthy singer-songwriters at Les FrancoFolies for the past 11 years.
That's why a strong contingent of Quebec stars was on hand at Monument-National earlier this month to kick off the commemorative celebrations - from boomer veterans like Chloé Ste-Marie and Richard Séguin to younger stars like Karkwa, Vincent Vallières and Marie-Élaine Thibert. Not to mention Italian party guy Marco Calliari and impresario Donald 'DKD' Tarlton, whose Tacca label is preparing a tribute disc, due Sept. 2.
Among the other activities this year is a large homage at Theatre Maisonneuve on Aug. 2 as part of the FrancoFolies (including many artists appearing on the tribute disc), a souvenir symbolic bracelet (with profits going to the Leclerc Foundation's grant for the Francos prize) and special performances at L'Espace Félix-Leclerc on Île d'Orléans by Diane Dufresne (June 15), Johanne Blouin (Aug. 8) and Richard Séguin (Sept. 11-13).
While the genius simplicity of Leclerc's lyrics and aesthetic was mentioned by everyone, there was a wide range of reasons why singers and musicians are indebted to him.
We started with members of Karkwa, the rock band often compared to Radiohead for its sonic brilliance.
"Félix's appeal," said percussionist Julien Sagot, "is in the depth and authenticity of his lyrics, which touch young and old alike. He shines through time with just that voice and guitar, no orchestration, that's both very simple and very surprising at the same time."
His songs, said drummer Stéphane Bergeron, "are like beautifully constructed old houses and buildings, like the oldest cities that are still the most attractive places to visit on Earth. They stay beautiful forever."
(...)
Félix: L'homme de paroles closes Les FrancoFolies on Aug. 2 at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. Tickets are $29.50-$39.50, available at the box office. Call 514-842-2112.
© The Gazette (Montreal) 2008
JUAN RODRIGUEZ
Freelance
It's hard to believe that Félix Leclerc, the patron saint of modern Quebec chanson, died 20 years ago. Any discussion of the chansonnier movement, from the 1950s to now, inevitably passes through the bard of Île d'Orléans. His name is immortalized on the awards annually given by ADISQ, for excellence in Quebec music, and the Prix Félix-Leclerc has been given to worthy singer-songwriters at Les FrancoFolies for the past 11 years.
That's why a strong contingent of Quebec stars was on hand at Monument-National earlier this month to kick off the commemorative celebrations - from boomer veterans like Chloé Ste-Marie and Richard Séguin to younger stars like Karkwa, Vincent Vallières and Marie-Élaine Thibert. Not to mention Italian party guy Marco Calliari and impresario Donald 'DKD' Tarlton, whose Tacca label is preparing a tribute disc, due Sept. 2.
Among the other activities this year is a large homage at Theatre Maisonneuve on Aug. 2 as part of the FrancoFolies (including many artists appearing on the tribute disc), a souvenir symbolic bracelet (with profits going to the Leclerc Foundation's grant for the Francos prize) and special performances at L'Espace Félix-Leclerc on Île d'Orléans by Diane Dufresne (June 15), Johanne Blouin (Aug. 8) and Richard Séguin (Sept. 11-13).
While the genius simplicity of Leclerc's lyrics and aesthetic was mentioned by everyone, there was a wide range of reasons why singers and musicians are indebted to him.
We started with members of Karkwa, the rock band often compared to Radiohead for its sonic brilliance.
"Félix's appeal," said percussionist Julien Sagot, "is in the depth and authenticity of his lyrics, which touch young and old alike. He shines through time with just that voice and guitar, no orchestration, that's both very simple and very surprising at the same time."
His songs, said drummer Stéphane Bergeron, "are like beautifully constructed old houses and buildings, like the oldest cities that are still the most attractive places to visit on Earth. They stay beautiful forever."
(...)
Félix: L'homme de paroles closes Les FrancoFolies on Aug. 2 at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. Tickets are $29.50-$39.50, available at the box office. Call 514-842-2112.
© The Gazette (Montreal) 2008
JUAN RODRIGUEZ
Freelance
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