Music releases

Released

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Catalog No.

1363

Play Pause Vol - Vol +

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"Ma Belle"

Venez Danser is the latest release by the stellar Canadian all-female roots quartet Oh My Darling. After returning from a busy summer of festivals, headlining two international tours, and releasing their second full length album Sweet Nostalgia, Oh My Darling is happy to announce the release of their very first album comprised of entirely French material. The 6-song EP is a collection of the French material the gals have been performing and recording over the last four years, and features Oh My Darling's unique talent for combining intricately arranged traditional music with beautiful original material.

Venez Danser begins with Oh My Darling's rousing Cajun inspired Ma Belle (2:54). Featuring Vanessa Kuzina and Rosalyn Dennett's revival of the Acadien tradition of fiddle sticks, the song is an adaptation of the Dewey Balfa song Jai te au Bal, medleyed with the American Old Time traditional tune Lost Indian.

Valse d'Evelina (4:09) is a beautiful original song that was inspired by the story of Louis Riel's unrequited love for an American woman named Evelina. The song features smooth harmonies, and poetic lyricism, and is a perfect combination of old world themes with new world arrangements.

Champ de Bataille (2:38) is one of the most collaborative efforts done by the band to date. The lyrics are an adaptation of a poem by Louis Riel, that describes his longing to write a letter to his mother while being on the battlefield. The music was written collaboratively by the band during a, afternoon rehearsal just before a performance at the Festival du Voyageur, which is an annual festival in WInnipeg celebrating the Franco-Metis culture in Manitoba.

The title track of the EP, Venez Danser (3:31) is the first composition brought to the group by bassist Marie-Josée Dandeneau. Written in collaboration with her father David Dandeneau, the song speaks about Marie-Josée's experience growing up in the Francophone community of St. Boniface in Winnipeg, and is an exciting dance number, reminiscent of the Dandeneau family kitchen parties.

Encre de Plume (3:45) is an original instrumental composition, that weaves the musical theme of Champ de Bataille into two pieces that are inspired by Quebecois and French traditional fiddle music.

A la Claire Fontaine (3:21) Is the first piece of French language music that Oh My Darling performed together. It is a traditional French song that the gals have adapted into their own unique style, and as been a major part of their live performances over the last four years.

Venez Danser is Oh My Darling's way of giving back to the French and Metis communities that have been a wonderful support to the girls over the years. With the hopes of exposing the beauty of the French music to audiences of all languages, the girls are excited about bringing the album to their fans at home and abroad.