Saratoga
It's a well known fact that you can never - ever - own too many records that feature Chantal Archambault. Purveyor of some of the most thoughtful and intelligent - and yes - romantic - country-tinged folk (or if you prefer, folk-tinged country) tunes known to (this) man, she has the knack of crafting such delicately constructed songs - be it her debut album, "La romance des couteaux", 2013's "Les élans" or last year's achingly haunting standout "L'amour ou la soif" - that you can't help but get in touch with your feminine side…
Saratoga is the side project of Chantal and her partner Michel-Olivier Gasse (author, musician - the driving force behind Caloon Saloon - and who has also contributed on Chantal's albums, including the vocals on the gorgeous "Chambre 16"). Named after the famous Spa resort in upstate New York where the pair first decided to form a duet, their eponymous EP consists of five intimate and seemingly effortless folk-tinged numbers.
The EP's opening and title track really sets the tone of this collection; clean and stripped-back, just acoustic guitar, double-bass and crystal clear yet heart-warming vocals matched to a honey-dripped melody and lilting refrain. With the addition of Michel's vocals providing the note-perfect harmonies extra depth, I defy anybody who claims to listen to music with an open mind not to be totally enamoured with this song.
"On est pas du monde" is a love song that touches on the loneliness separation and distance. It feels like an archetypical Archambault song, beautifully moving, yet not overwrought or melodramatic - in other words, incredibly well crafted.
Saratoga is the side project of Chantal and her partner Michel-Olivier Gasse (author, musician - the driving force behind Caloon Saloon - and who has also contributed on Chantal's albums, including the vocals on the gorgeous "Chambre 16"). Named after the famous Spa resort in upstate New York where the pair first decided to form a duet, their eponymous EP consists of five intimate and seemingly effortless folk-tinged numbers.
The EP's opening and title track really sets the tone of this collection; clean and stripped-back, just acoustic guitar, double-bass and crystal clear yet heart-warming vocals matched to a honey-dripped melody and lilting refrain. With the addition of Michel's vocals providing the note-perfect harmonies extra depth, I defy anybody who claims to listen to music with an open mind not to be totally enamoured with this song.
"On est pas du monde" is a love song that touches on the loneliness separation and distance. It feels like an archetypical Archambault song, beautifully moving, yet not overwrought or melodramatic - in other words, incredibly well crafted.
And while it is fair to say that at times the songs on this album are imprinted with the DNA of this ridiculously talented auteure-compositrice-interprète from the Val d'Or in the North-Western Abitibi-Temiscamingue region of Québec, the EP is far more than a collection of Chantal Archambault songs...
"Les bourgeons pis le gazon" - apparently the first song that someone (Michel) ever wrote for Chantal - features Michel on lead with Chantal adding texture to their harmonies. Again the song is minimalist, the focus is always on the vocals; the lyrics speak of an enduring love and understanding; "…I say quietly, 'I'll be ready when you will arrive'…" Michel also leads on "Madame Rosa", a Saloon Caloon composition, the touching tale of the fictional Mme. Rosa. Here the song is stripped of the weeping slide guitar of the original and delicately softened.
The EP's closing number, "Oublie Pas", is probably the best example of the delicate vocal harmonies that the pair create. It's another totally effortless composition and probably the best track from a collection of high quality songs that encapsulates everything about the talented Ms. Archambault (and equally talented M. Gasse) in one song - a timeless melody, thoughtful and intelligent lyrics, and the most note perfect and pleasing of vocal deliveries - 4'57" of the most sublime of aural experiences…
Saratoga (Website)
"Saratoga EP" (Bandcamp)
The EP's closing number, "Oublie Pas", is probably the best example of the delicate vocal harmonies that the pair create. It's another totally effortless composition and probably the best track from a collection of high quality songs that encapsulates everything about the talented Ms. Archambault (and equally talented M. Gasse) in one song - a timeless melody, thoughtful and intelligent lyrics, and the most note perfect and pleasing of vocal deliveries - 4'57" of the most sublime of aural experiences…
Saratoga (Website)
"Saratoga EP" (Bandcamp)
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