Naomi de Bruyn wrote this review.
Bourque, Bernard & Lepage provide something not often seen or heard in a professional group: a foot percussionist. In fact, Benoit Bourque is one of Canada’s finest step dancers. He also uses his feet, spoons, and bones for percussion and is an accomplished button accordion player as well. The second man in this energetic group is the Acadian-born Gaston Bernard. Gaston has worked on a number of musical projects in a great many backgrounds, including those of African, Greek, Celtic, and of course, French. Gaston is quite talented and plays the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bouzouki, and feet. The third and last but definitely not the least member is Simon LePage. Simon brings to the group a very diverse background in music, from World Music to classical to jazz. He is a composer and arranger as well as playing the fretted, fretless, and acoustic bass. All three members handle the vocals, harmonizing perfectly.
Matapat contains twelve explosive tracks, with triads abounding. Some of the tracks are traditional. Others are original compositions by Bourque, and one is by Le Page. In one case, traditional lyrics have been set to an original tune. All the lyrics are sung in French, although the liner notes contain an explanation in English. All the tracks contain the depth and richness which the French Canadians are famous for: pure passion. This is music meant for a Quebec kitchen party, which like the kitchen parties of the East Coasters will leave you warm and energized, and wanting more!
The members of this energetic trio all share a common goal, to familiarize their audiences with the unique culture of Quebec, and allow for future ambassadors of traditional Quebecois music and folklore to be able to share their talents. A very wonderful goal to have, and one I wish them well with.
I think my favourite track is “La Pipe Cornue (The Horned Pipe)/Le Capitaine (The Captain).” This is one of BBL’s mainstays for live performances. It begins with a hornpipe and ends with a song. It is rare to find a hornpipe in French Canadian music, and it is indicated on the liner notes that this one was most likely borrowed from the Irish. While not the most powerful track on the CD, it carries a lot of feeling and lifts the spirits, being a tale of the romance that the French are well known for. And another favourite is “Valse Clog (Step-waltz)/Valse de Cesny (Cesny Waltz).” You can actually hear Benoit step dance to both the waltzes. The first waltz is a traditional one, the second was written by a close associate of BBL, Benoit Visquesnel. It is a sprightly mix which will have your toes tapping happily along.
BBL had some guests appearing on this CD: Tom Slavicek (banjo), Mario Loiselle (piano), Pierre Imbert (vielle a roue [hurdy-gurdy] and tambourine), Jean Comeau (percussion). BBL were 1999 Juno Award finalists. If you appreciate good music and talent, then I highly recommend this CD. Even if you cannot speack a word of French, the liner will give you the meanings, and your imagination and heart can provide the rest.
(Borealis, 1998)
[Update: In 2002 Benoit Bourque left the group and formed Le Vent du Nord with Oliver Demers, Nicolas Boulerice (of Montcorbier) and Bernard Simard of La Bottine Souriante. Gaston Bernard and Simon LePage were joined by Tommy Gautier and Francois Dauphin for Que De Peine Et Damour in 2007. As of 2025, both Matapat and Borealis Records are defunct.]
