ProgQuébec

I've just recently become aware of the rich vein of progressive rock coming out of Québec in the 1970's. Harmonium is the most well-known but there were dozens of bands during the peak years of seventies prog.

I've been using the site progquebec.com to check out bands.http://www.progquebec.com/artistlist.html

CDs can be tracked down at http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Departments/Featured-Labels/ProgQuebec.aspx

So far I've been able to find the albums at Amazon too, though.

ProgQuébec has been reissuing these old recordings in the very recent past and so far most of the albums sound surprisingly good.
I have albums by Harmonium, Et Cetera, Morse Code, Vos Voisins, and Pollen and Offenbach and Sloche are on order. I'm looking at a couple more bands as well.

Though said to be highly influenced by British prog, I often feel there are strong similarities to RPI.
Most of these bands remain obscure because of the French lyrics. It was difficult for them to break outside of French Canada.

A lot of excellent material. Highly recommended for expanding any seventies prog collection!

Excubus is next. Maneige I find is a bit outside of my taste.

Thanks for the comment, Barbu.

If you like the prog folk, then try Garolou.  They were Quebec's answer to Steeleye Span or Horslips

L'Orchestre Sympathique and Conventum are both excellent, among those not mentioned so far.

Noted, Logan. I'll try to find them on YouTube and give them a listen. Thanks!

Edited by FragileKings - February 04 2016 at 05:54

Keneth, that's how I started to find out about the Prog Québec scene. I found an article about how big prog was in that province. Some bands were mentioned and I looked further and found this whole treasure trove of prog.

Edited by FragileKings - February 04 2016 at 05:58

Kotro wrote: Love the Quebéc scene and the work ProgQuebec has been doing reissuing some. Hope they do June Wallack soon.

I've read so many RPI reviews on PA. I'm glad to see there's an interest in French Canadian prog too. Yes, I'm glad to discover ProgQuebec is a recent phenomenon so new releases are still coming.

TeleStrat wrote: I have had "J'un Oeil" by Sloche on original vinyl since the seventies but I wasn't aware of "Stadacone" until I found it on CD last year. I recommend both.

I love those albums, so much exuberance, invention and sheer sense of fun about them. You can just tell they were having a blast. I wish they had done more.

Edited by Mascodagama - February 04 2016 at 07:56

FragileKings wrote: Keneth, that's how I started to find out about the Prog Québec scene. I found an article about how big prog was in that province. Some bands were mentioned and I looked further and found this whole treasure trove of prog.

FragileKings wrote: TeleStrat wrote: <span style="line-height: 14.56px;">I have had "J'un Oeil" by Sloche on original vinyl since the seventies but I wasn't aware of "Stadacone" until I found it on CD last year. </span><div style="line-height: 14.56px;">I recommend both.   I have J'un Oiel on order and will be listening to it in a week or so. If I like it, I may just track down the other album. Thanks for the input!