HARMONIUM

This is an album of immediately likeable and strongly melodic prog. I especially enjoyed the actual songs (as opposed to the final, 17-minute instrumental track), which have folk-style vocals that remind me of the great Scottish singer John Martyn (who's also listed om Progarchives), only they're in a (totally charming) kind of French I was hitherto unfamiliar with. The songs themselves are typical of early 1970s folk as well, with this major difference that you've got lots of "symphonic prog" elements creeping in, such as dreamy twelve-string guitar arpeggios and majestic mellotron orchestrations. But that 17-minute "Histoires sans paroles" was a major let-down for me. It contains no captivating melodies as such, the band merely let one mediocre riff flow into another, some of the riffs (e.g. the waltz towards the end) go on for far too long, and the solo playing (particularly the flute) sounds rather pedestrian.

I just don't understand how this album could end up in our Top-Ten of best-loved Prog albums! Maybe things would have been different if I'd grown up with it, but as things stand, I would never rank it as close behind SELLING ENGLAND or CLOSE TO THE EDGE as it tends to be. It also seems less accomplished and far less exciting than many classic albums which find themselves a great deal lower in our Top-100, such as the best of Robert Wyatt, Gentle Giant or Gong. To make things worse, its cover design must be ranked among the greatest kitsch to have come out of the 1970s!

Simply put Comme un Sage is the most wonderful and beautiful classic Progressive tune ever recorded. No fan of symphonic progressive rock should die without having wrapped themselves in the absolute perfection of this melody. The rest of the album, especially Comme un Fue, is comes close, but never equals this masterpiece. A complex double disc concept album that is perfect for any mood, but especially when you need something to take you away from the misery of life in the 21st century and return you to the quiet pastoral world of a past that never really existed. Oh and by the way L'Heptade is vastly superior to its more highly rated predecessor, which in is a fantastic piece of work in it's own right. The 2002 live version is ell worth obtaining too.

The word "beautiful" has been used so much that it has lost it's meaning. Let me tell you, though, that if you want to hear something that will forever raise your standards of what beautiful music is, listen to Harmonium's SI ON AVAIT BESOIN D'UNE CINQUIEME SAISON. I decided to check this album out that I had previously never heard of before when I saw it in the top 10 of the Top 100 Albums on ProgArchives. Like many of the Prog Classics, the album cover is breath-taking and memorable, so that also influenced my purchase. Upon the first listen, I was convinced that not only does this belong in the Prog Archives top 10, it has certainly made it's way into one of my personal favorites. The concept isn't too original: each of the four (or, in this case, five) tracks is based on a season, but never before will you hear it done as

The album opens up with "Vert." This track represents Spring, with the snow melting away and a new year beginning with the haunting wind instruments that open the track. The vocals then come in, as it becomes a whimsical, folksy song. The vocals are very dreamy, and the acoustics do a good job of creating a laid-back atmosphere. A saxophone and clarinet solo even add a little jazz to the mix, and close off this wonderful track.

The second track is "Dixie." This track represents Summer, and is a very peppy and carefree song. The piano is dominant here, and give the song an innocent feel to it. This song reminds me of days where I have nothing but free time, and it feels like a dream all day long. The track reaches it's peak when it goes on an instrumental excursion, with a charming saxophone only to enlighten the mood even more. This song is a joyous romp to listen to, and another essential track from this essential album.

The third track is "Despuis L'Automne." This track represents Fall, and actually begins quite chillingly. The vocals are very soft, if not always as cheerful as the previous two tracks. The mellotron adds a powerful and emotional background to this track, and the woodwind instruments that play over it are just as beautiful as ever. Later into the track, the vocals return, as well as synthesizer. The track ends much differently than it began, with hopeful and uplifting vocal harmonies. A great epic, and comparable to the majestic final track.

The fourth track is "En Pleine Face." This track represents Winter, and has a very delicate and homely feeling. It reminds me of warming up near a fireplace in a log cabin, safe from the snow outside. Of course, the harsh weather is still wondrous to look at through the window pane. This feeling is perfectly captured with the organic and folksy music, with some piano and ethereal textures to capture the sounds of an icy climate. Another excellent track.

The album ends with "Histoires Sans Paroles." This track represents the ambiguous fifth season, but if there is anything I know about this lost season from this track is one word: Heavenly. This is an epic track, 17-minutes long and instrumental. Simply put, this is one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. The track opens with the sounds of moving woodwinds and mellotron, and from that moment on you know you are taking the first steps to a grand journey. Throughout this epic track, the listener goes through many different emotions, from joyous to pensive to at one point, maybe even a little put-off. It ends magnificently, and leaves a lasting impression on the listener. This track is so glorious, it was one of the few Progressive Rock tracks that almost brought me to tears.

I'll say it again, SI ON AVAIT BESOIN D'UNE CINQUIEME is one of the most beautiful sounds you can treat your ears to. This is a fantastic album, and if you want some life- affirming music, look no further than Harmonium's masterpiece. Your life will be better with it.

Five Stars- Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music.

This is my first review here at ProgArchives but I'm not quite sure why?I think I didn't feel educated enough in terms of knowledge of Progressive because in order to know about something you have to live with that something. By now, with a few dozens of posts and almost 10 years of experience listening prog, I think I can write some reviews of my fave albums and this Harmonium one is definitely amongst them. With all due respect, a less than five star rating for this album is impossible. When listening to it, you realized that that album is beyond genres, subgenres or classifications of any kind; the fine music and emotional lyrics are absolutely beautiful. Serge Fiori and Co. manage to provide one of the most brilliant interpretations of music?you don't even notice the absence of drums! Like many reviewers did, I listened to this album because of its high place in the ProgArchives all-time chart and I really have to say that that place (really close to prog monsters like King Crimson, Yes and Genesis) is fully deserved. All five songs flow both individual and as a whole: "Vert", beautiful crescendo, a few bass notes and the amazing voice of Serge Fiori singing in a delicate and exquisite French?here I have to say I don`t speak French (hardly English ☺ because Spanish is my native tongue) but I have the lyrics, my pronunciation has improved and I hope the lyrics being as beautiful as they sound with the music! (resources for translations needed?). "Dixie"?what to say about it?something tells me that if that song would have been played by Wakeman and Howe it would have been a major hit! That song is an amazing demonstration of music virtuosos and a delicious mixture of genres such as Folk, 50`s "Dixie"land groups, etc. "Depuis L'Automne" and "En Pleine Face" returns to the Vert vibe, beautiful delivery of guitar and vocals by Fiori and an extraordinaire finale of keyboards (pardon me but I really don't know what is the correct instrument). "Histoires Sans Paroles" closes this gem with 17 minutes of pure magic and recurrent chords that appears throughout the album. I don't know what else to say but the obvious cliché: TRULY MASTERPIECE. P.S. A month ago started listening to L'Heptade and so far?Amazing!

I got interested in this album reading the huge position it had, but i really got disappointed of Harmonium. It surely "Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison" is not a prog masterpiece, in the same Quebec area there are much better work as Pollen and Sloche The songs are well composed and you don't feel the missing of drums but the album is sound to sweet and cute, that became sometimes little bit nauseating, starting from the cover so full of bunny flower and other cute stuff. I don't like to give vote just for compenstating so i give 3 stars, that is the right valutation for me.

There's a certain satisfaction to hearing music from your own country-- and while Rush are lauded almost to ennui in Canada, apart from a small minority, Harmonium are almost unheard of; yet they have a distinct power and style that more people should hear. While Harmonium isn't exactly an appeal to English listeners, with the dense Quebecois mannerisms and localized French, (in fact, it may be difficult to interpret by French listeners outside of Quebec) if you are a French speaker, and you love the sound of Early Genesis, or a pastoral Folk sound mixed with a very heavy dose of prog, this album is definitely for you.

Obviously, written in 1970's Quebec, there is a sort of Seperatist ideology hidden within the lyrics, which is odd for a yonger generation of listeners-- a relic of a somewhat idealistic past, and even though there is still some animosity present in French/English Canada, it certainly isn't as strong as it was before, and to discover it in such a strange medium is suprising; however, I digress, the music itself presents a completely different side.

A heavy folk influence is readily apparent on the first track, "Vert" and Serge Fiori shows that he is a very unique vocalist, with plenty of power, but just enough restraint, he also accompanies himself at different parts, and does a fantastic job. While Harmonium never really steps into the foray of power, they focus mostly on the composition of the music, rather than technicality, but to anyone who loves the wash of 12-strings and flute, it's certainly a great piece that really can't be critiqued very much, very well put together.

Not so conspicuously absent throughout the ENTIRE album are any elements of percussion, which is surprising, seeing as you can go through the whole album without noticing, and "Dixie" is a great example, seeing as you can be more drawn in the blending of Southern musical styles with French Canadian musical styles than the noticible lack of any drumming, and it's bizarre to say the least, but in a really interesting way. Pierre Daigneault, the Flutist/Clarinetist once again is allowed free reign at times, and he does a fantastic job.

"Depuis L'Automne" is one of the strongest songs on the album, and is both highly textured and simplistic at parts. Layers of Mellotron and 12-string wash the song, and Fiori & Normandeau plantive and somewhat bitter lyrics compliment Fiori's highly emotional and powerful voice. One of the best on the album.

"En Pleine Face" is the least immediately memorable of the album, but that's not saying its bad at all. The song is shorter, and features some accordion work, which is a pleasant change in timbre, but most of the song is rather minimal in terms of instrumentation, with guitars, accordion, and a bass with Fiori's vocals. The song is still a very welcome addition, but it could have been a little better fleshed out, as the final somewhat "catchy" part at the end of the album, where Fiori repeats:

"Où es-tu, j'en plus

Je ne t'entends plus, où es-tu?"

Which to me, has always been a haunting little part, which is a real gem in the album.

The final song "Histoires Sans Paroles" is a true progressive symphony spanning about 17 minutes. The only difficulty I found with the album was the consistent lack of percussion worked on the previous song, but it could have worked measures on the final track, but that's only an afterthought, as this song definitley is quite an experience. Judi Richards sings on this song, but I have no idea why, because she doesn't do a great job of it, as I wondered why Fiori suddenly became a weak, whiney sounding singer-- and I only noticed it wasn't him after a little bit of reading. The song, still, is wonderful, aside from my random complaining.

This album is a great introspection into 1970's Quebec, not only because of the subject matter, but the music blending with unique styles you would be hard pressed to hear anywhere else. If you're a huge rhythmically driven person, avoid the album I guess, but it's to your own fault, as this album offers a beautiful sonic experience that is refreshing to anyone looking for a true hidden gem.

I should have started with their debut album. But I have been listening to this album on and off for a year so I am excused.

It is said that Antonio Vivaldi's socalled masterpiece The Four Seasons is a very beautiful piece of music. It has influenced the rock and pop world and spawned some copies. I am not sure if Harmonium has copied The Four Seasons. In any case; Harmonium has added one xtra season. The fifth season is also the longest one here, clocking in at over seventeen minutes. I am not sure about the lyrics here, French not being my strongest side. But I am sure the lyrics is as beautiful as the music.

The music is a blend of folk rock, fusion jazz and symphonic prog. The use of instruments are on the minimalist side. The instruments are understated rather than bombastic. The vocals plays an important role. The jazz pieces here are truly stunning. The second song Dixie has a dixieland theme. That is the most lively, bouncy song on this album. The rest of the album follows a very understated pattern, based on silent contemplation rather than preaching (overstated keyboards). That makes this music fascinating, but not easy to break down. My only gripe is that this album lacks the dot over the i. In other words; a killer track which gives the album a real identity. But on the other hand, I doubt you will find any better marriage of folk rock and symphonic prog on this planet.

I am tempted to give five points. But I have a policy not to give any more five pointers. Oh, what the heck. This is a truly excellent and essential album everyone should have in their collection. Everyone. The artwork also being a good reason for that. Nevermind the pop up which will now greet me with the warning from the PA staff. Yes, I do understand the rules. This album is Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music. It is also a sure candidate for the top ten of all albums.

5 stars (deserved)

Well, I heard high praising about those canadians first two albums, specially the second. But, to me, it didn´t work at the time I had the record. And since I had so many other CDs to listen, I just put it away and forgot about it. I remember once or twice going back to it and thinkking it might be good and the problem might be I was not in the right mood to hear it. Whatever the reasons, it never clicked. But the same cannot be said of their live album. A friend brought it for me and I thought it would be interesting to hear them live. I was quite surprised!

The album was released in 1980 and shows the band playing in front of an english speaking audience (in Vancouver), but they only address them in french! Anyway, the crowd is respectful and the recording quality is top notch. The first two songs Comme un fou and Chanson Noire were not very convincing and made me think I would not like this CD either. Not that they are bad, no, but I didn´t like the former´s mix of styles too much, with too many time changes and moods shfiting too fast to fully enjoy it. The latter was just too jazzy and cheesy for my taste, with little or no prog, nor rock. the vocals are also quite different and takes some time to get used to (specially to the occasional scat singing).

But, from then on the album is simply superb! Terrific perfomances of all involved (absolute fantastic and skillful players), very good songwriting and incredible balanced sound. Their mix of rock, jazz, bossa nova, tradtitional french music, folk and symphonic prog is quite unique and very, very captivating. L´exil is one of the most poignant songs I´ve had ever heard. It is a pity that those guys broke up soon after this tour.

En torunée isa very powerful and surprising live album that shows how good those guys were on stage. If you´re looking for something different and very good, this is surely a CD to listen to. 4 strong stars.

Proof of French/Canadian beauty at its best. This nice little symphonic folk album offers something, where I consider this language to be in best way. Well, I don't like it much, but here, it's softened by nostalgic compositions and isn't so bad. No offense, I just see it like that and it means a lot for me, to get through. And these days, you can hear French language only in heavier music, which is sad.

Because this and flutes combined together, well, it rocks. OK, progcks. It has all signs of prog symph folk for me, strong bass line, piano (sometimes), not so wild vocals, but mostly - acoustic guitar. There are other instruments, but they're not so prominent.

Oh, when considering to buy this or not, I suggests: "You don't have it yet ?". Really, this is one of the masterpieces that are without flaws. Go for it.

5(+), every part of it is interesting (I suppose)

Great live performance of this Canadian band. I listen the double cd and both are amazing. Great keiboards atmosphere, very balanced, with some piano parts, very calm but quite good. Nice balanced atmosphere in same vein of studio albuns, that have to, high quality. Harmonium have a great sound, tipical of 70 decade, that I like very much, and we can see high quality of composers and musicians. Some guitar parts, with old distorction pedals, but with a nice tone, that create a unique context of synphonic atmosphere. This live performance is excellent because we don't listen error's and all band members, must work very hard to play like this. I give 5 stars because is a great performance and great music. If some symphonic bands are boring, Harmonium is a band that we foud pleasure, listen his music. This album is for all fans of 70 synphonic décade.