Claudelle
Originally from Sainte-Adèle in the Laurentides region of Québec, Claudelle has also been a semi-finalist at both Le Festival international de la chanson de Granby and L'étoile montante Ford, and supported Saratoga on tour.
On first listening "Harfang" ("Snowy Owl" - dedicated to her late Grandmother) obviously shares many of the same country-folk traits of her earlier EPs, but listen more closely and there's also evidence of a more expansive sound - alongside a few touches of both pop and the Blues - and a depth and maturity to her at times personal compositions.
This new style is amply demonstrated by the the up-tempo, poppy and most definitely radio-friendly opener, "Air de glace." It' a bright and breezy song, one which Claudelle perfectly marries to her crystalline vocals. And as you listen you pick-up on some of the deft musical touches; the mandolin accompaniment that maintains a link to her musical roots and the softened, multi-tracked vocal refrain and choir. There's a nice - and surprising - change of pace about two-thirds through, before everything picks up for the finish. And if you wanted further evidence of Claudelle's new expansive sound, it's here on the blues infused "Fil de mes humeurs." Reverbed guitar permeates throughout, there's a sultry edge to the vocals as she battles her conflicting emotions. Again there's a touch of multi-tracking on her voice and the up-beat refrain alongside Jay Essiambre adds texture to this smoky tune.
With mandolin to the fore, "Graffiti" and "T'as perdu ton feu" are just a beautiful songs that that remain true Claudelle's Country-Folk roots - neither would sound out of place on either "Le Fort" or any of a host of similarly inspired albums from a whole host of artists that I've written about and admire. And while the aforementioned Les sœurs Boulay spring to mind, so do Geneviève Racette and the velvety-smooth Chantal Archambault - more of her in a future post, by the way. Frankly there are times when less is more and nothing I write here is going to convey just immense these songs are.
The haunting "Les poches de thé" is the first of two incredibly personal songs that are inspired by - and pay homage to - members Claudelle's immediate family. Noticeably melancholic and subdued - gentle guitar and with just an air of pensiveness in her voice - the teabag, slowly steeping in the cup serves as a metaphor for the creeping passage and finality of time as Claudelle notes her mother age each time they meet over tea. There's a nice touch of tape-hiss and crackling at the start of "Denis" as if Claudelle is remembering childhood moments spent with her Grandfather, before launching into an up-beat rhythm more in keeping with the Country-Folk tempo of the album.
And the Country theme continues with the toe-tappingly refreshing "J't'ai dans la tête" and a song that is perhaps the most olde skool Country number on the album - the clarity of the guitar perhaps only matched by the tonal qualities of the voice. And if you want tonal quality then it's well worth listening out to the album's closing number "J’ai pas fait le tour" and a song that save some masculine humming in the background is just a girl, her mandolin and a gentle relaxing melody to wash over you.
"Harfang" is short - at only eight tracks it clocks in at just over twenty minutes - and sweet. However, the love and craft that Claudelle has expended during the recording of this album is patently obvious.Wisely surrounded herself with the same team who assisted with "Le Fort" - the double-bass of Vincent Yelle along Jay Essiambre on drums, guitars and aforementioned backing vocals, as well doubling up as behind the desk - this familiarity has resulted in an album that is just perfect for relaxing on a summer's evening...
Claudelle
"Harfang" (Bandcamp)
Shame that you have stopped updating and writing on your blog,i very much enjoyed the tips about new french music here. Do you have any other blogs perhaps to recommend who write about new french music ?
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