GROSSE ISLE

The three of them are continuing the adventure of Grosse Isle, which began ten years ago.
Once again, the group has masterfully fused the Quebec and Irish repertoires. Their new album, Homérique, is a veritable epic celebrating legendary figures from Ireland and Quebec. They include the pirate queen Grainne Mhaol (or Granuaile), Mathilde, the white lady of Montmorency Falls, Louis Riel, the exiled Métis, and Étienne Hébert from Acadia.
On the thirteen tracks of this excellent opus, we have the pleasure of listening songs in three languages: French, English and Irish. It's a richly coloured album, supported by a host of instruments typical of Quebec and Irish traditions.
It's a balanced mix of songs and instrumentals, on which Sophie is omnipresent, writing three of the lyrics and adapting into French the Irish song Johnny Seoighe le Survenant, originally from Connemara and written during the Great Famine. Fiachra also sings Eileanóir a Rún in Irish.
The instrumentals, which include The Rocky Road to Dublin and Le Roi Renaud, are carried off brilliantly by the three musicians. Then there's Padraic Pearse's Set, a suite of three Irish tunes in tribute to the poet and nationalist who died for his country.  Of particular note are two pieces borrowed from the repertoire of John Carty, Seanamhac Tube Station, and Paddy O'Brien, The Coming of Spring. The album features upbeat melodies, set to the podorhythmic rhythms characteristic of Quebecois music, as well as more tragic laments.
Once again, it's a complete success for this likeable trio, who would be well advised to come and play here.

Compagnie du Nord CIE034 - www.grosse-isle.com