Barachois comes of age
Campbell Webster, The Guardian, Charlottetown, PEI., 14-Sep-01 "Yeah, but is it worth the drive to Mont Carmel?" That's what I thought in 1994 when band manager Grady Poe invited me to see the music comedy revue La Cuisine a Mémé. But I also thought that Grady was excited about a new idea for a band using four members of the cast. And when Grady has a creative idea, its worth paying attention-for a while at least. So I went to Mont Carmel-and saw the beginnings of what was to become Barachois, comprised of Albert Arsenault, Helene Arsenault Bergeron, Chuck Arsenault and Louise Arsenault. Numerous ECMA awards, two albums and hundreds of shows later they are an international success and the hit of practically every worldwide festival they play. Indeed, the scope of their artistic and music business achievement is unique and, compared to other successful Atlantic Canadian bands, relatively unnoticed. The seeds of Barachois' distinct sound, step-dancing choreography and trademark comedy were all evident that night in Mont Carmel. What they have blossomed into seven years later is wonderful to behold; something entirely their own, entirely Acadian and entirely borne of Prince Edward Island. In their first Confederation Centre mainstage run, Barachois demonstrates their continuing dynamism by offering up all new material. At the core of the two-hour show is an almost messianic devotion to traditional Acadian music. (In fact, the program states that many of their compositions are the result of archival research in such places as the Libraire Acadienne and the University of Moncton.) But the Barachois interpretations are anything but musty academic renditions of old tunes. Rather, their upbeat songs are lively, almost manic attacks that demand you attend the party, while their ballads are rich and warmly offered. As the show progresses you become aware of something else about Barachois: Everything they do is a little bit sly. It's as if they have a secret they are only letting you in on bit by bit. The addition of non-traditional brass by Chuck Arsenault, the electrifying step dancing, goofy mugging, and vigorous physicalization all fuel a ferocious performance energy. These performers live deep inside their musical world and they are loving it. For the first set and much of the second set, they choose to only offer glimpses of their comic potential. They prefer, instead, to establish their musical credentials first, saving their best comic material for near the end of the show. This is a satisfying structural choice, leaving the audience saying, "Wow, not only can these guys play-but they are hilarious. And I think Chuck Arsenault might be a little bit disturbed." Certainly Chuck Arsenault's impressions of Mick Jagger, Glen Campbell and Barry Gibb singing their respective hits to traditional Acadian arrangements is one of the funniest sketches performed on P.E.I. in a long time. Barachois has developed into a band that is more than unequalled, it is so unique it can't really be compared to any other act. Since their performances in a small theatre in Mont Carmel, they have grown into one of our cultural treasures and it is a gift to us. Barachois is worth the drive - from Vancouver. |