EN CONCERT À LA GRANDE PASSE

As I stumble upon more & more RPQ ( Rock Progressig Quebecois) at Spin-It, I constantly marvel at the both the shared influences, AND also at the differences in styles & playing that I encounter among those early groups from the 70s.

L'Orchestre Sympathique is no different. The other reviewers have noted the similarities with Maneige. I feel that the jazz side is a bit more pronounced here. But then I could just as easily say that Maneige had more to their symphonic side.

You'll find some avant moments, like at the beginning of Perpetual Balouba. You'll find a lot of great playing, too. But the most important thing to me , is that I come away with melodies and songs in my head even after I'm done playing this album.

Too often, I find many Jazz Rock / Fusion ensembles go for the gee whiz, did you hear that type of playing that emphasizes the technical abilities of their players, whether it's fast riffs and solos, complex and esoteric strucutres or compositions; as if the effort is dedicated to making things harder than necessary .

L' Orchestre Sympathique on the other hand are able to blend in virtuousity, and complexity while still entertaining the listener with, gasp, songs.

AH, if only I'd have been able to see them live in a club sitting back with a cold one on a Friday night .....