HARMONIUM EN CALIFORNIE / IN CALIFORNIA

This is the unique chance to see Harmonium filmed live. Unfortunately, because the band was really impressing during live shows with the Denis Farmer's monstrous drum, the Serge Locat's keyboards, the multiple Serge Fiori's guitars. We can say that the stage is filled well. Briefly, the movie is about the Harmonium's try to be known in the United States. They were supposed to play at a University where artists of everywhere were playing. However, the truck with their instruments was lost and did not deliver it on time. They finally played in a little punk pub where the public was less open to a French Canadian progressive rock band. It is a very good movie witch every Harmonium's fans should see it at least one time, but being a documentary and not just a live show, it is not essential.

This video documents Harmonium's first (and only, if I'm not mistaken) tour of the United States. I'm sorry to say this VHS will be much more pleasurable for those who understand French (and even more so for French-Canadians) as most of the video is narrated in French and deals with the aspects of Canadian culture in America. However, there is also a lot of English speaking (though the French subtitles may become annoying), and the concert footage is in the universal language of music, it will still ge very good to non-French folk.

Filled with both concert footage and interviews (in French and English), and a short documentary on the band's travels southward in California, Harmonium en Californie is excellent. Though plagued by poor quality, and surprisingly short length, this is a very good video and should be sought after by French speaking, devoted Harmonium fans. Casual fans should not go to lengths to watch this, however, and it is by no means essential.