Members of Barachois | Performance Highlights |
BARACHOIS (bara-shwa')
Acadian word for - shallow pools of water separated from the sea by sand dunes
Acadian word for - shallow pools of water separated from the sea by sand dunes
Prior to their retirement as a band in December of 2003, Barachois maintained a role as mainstays on the Folk/Roots music touring circuit for nearly a decade with their distinctive brand of traditional Acadian music and showmanship, performing roughly 2000 shows.
Barachois' Acadian traditional music is a rhythmic, high-voltage style born in the heart of a culture kept alive through two and a half centuries on tiny Prince Edward Island, Canada. Their music has been considered by most to be at the forefront of the genre. Many of the songs they sing were originally brought over from France with some of the first settlers in North America. Their musical approach though primarily French has been infused with other influences - most recognizably, the surrounding Scottish and to a smaller extent the Irish fiddling styles. While Barachois' sound certainly shows a Celtic influence, it is very much more unique unto itself . The voice is an energetic fiddle with a driving piano foundation. The songs and fiddling style have been passed down through generation after generation by way of kitchen parties and community dances and gatherings. It represents a distinct musical genre all its own, filled with passion and life.
Throw in some percussive foot rythms, guitar, pump organ, a bit of bass, a wide assortment of extraordinary percussion instruments, close harmonies, the occasional brass instrument along with plenty of surprises, and you have the spicy Acadian stew that Barachois put on the boil throughout their music.
Acadian music parties are known for their frivolity and fun, a welcome reward and a much needed respite from the daily business of raising a large family in times past. Barachois has succeeded in capturing this feeling as a recurring theme in their three recordings.
The group's first recording, simply entitled BARACHOIS, picks up where the party trails off. Pulling its material and inspiration from the collective memory of the Acadian people, the album received three nominations at the 1997 East Coast Music Awards as well as recieving the award for Francophone Recording of the Year.The band released its second recording entitled ENCORE in 1999. In addition to widespresd critical acclaim, this recording received a Juno nomination and garnered two more East Coast Music Awards for Francophone Recording and Roots Traditional Group Album of the Year. Their third recording entitled NATUREL completes the trilogy and also won the East Coast Music Award for Roots Traditional Group Album of the Year. All three recordings were recorded by masterful engineer/producer Grey Larsen of Metamora fame and have a similar acoustic feel and continuity of sound. Included with the recordings are extensive graphics, descriptions and lyrics in French with English translation.
Albert Arsenault
vocals, dancer, fiddle, bass, assorted percussion
Helene Arsenault Bergeron (Albert's sister)
piano, vocals, dancer, pump organ, guitar
Louise Arsenault
fiddle, vocals, dancer, harmonica, guitar and foot percussion
Chuck Arsenault
vocals, guitar, harmonica, dancer, sousaphone, trumpet, french horn
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Festival International de Louisianne; Canada Day on Parliament Hill (twice); Vancouver Folk Festival; Harbourfront Celtic Festival-Toronto (twice); Lincoln Centre- New York City; Festival du Voyageur-Winnipeg (twice); Confed. Centre of the Arts- Charlottetown (9 seasons); Lunenburg FF- Nova Scotia; Summerfolk- Owen Sound, Ontario; Tonder Festival- Denmark(twice); Celtic Colours Festival- Cape Breton, NS (twice); Lotus Dickey Festival- Indiana; Celtic Connections Festival- Glasgow, Scotland (three times); Old Songs Festival- Albany, New York (3 times); Francofolies- Montreal; Hagesund Roots Music Festival- Norway; Kihaus Festival- Raakkyla, Finland; Mosebacke- Stockholm, Sweden; Lowell FF- Mass; Canmore Festival- Alberta; Edmonton FF- Alberta; WDR Weltmusik Festival- Bonn, Germany; Philadelphia FF- Pennsylvania; Winnipeg FF; Cambridge FF- U.K.; Sidmouth FF- U.K.; ile Tatihou- France; Frostbite Festival- Yukon; Falcon Ridge FF- Albany,New York; Milwaukee Irish Fest- Wisconsin (twice); Chicago Celtic Festival- IL; Sebastopol Celtic Festival- California; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall- Scotland; The National Folk Festival-E.Lansing, MI and Bangor, ME,USA.