Terre Rouge

At the opening weekend of this summer's Mendocino Music Festival in California, two bands from eastern Canada made an interesting contrast. De Temps Antan, a Québécois trio, adopt a spirited but fairly orthodox approach to the Celtic and French-influenced traditions of their region. In comparison, Vishtèn, comprising the LeBlanc sisters from Prince Edward Island and Pascal Miousse from the Magdalen Islands, nod towards tradition while applying the contemporary cosmetics of clever instrumental stylings, syncopations, and distinctive harmonies.

Aside from my preference for De Temps Antan's more orthodox, rootsy approach, I find Vishtèn's choice of material rather monochromatic and a little lacking in memorable melody lines. That said, this recording will appeal to many, for the virtuosic deployment of a variety of instruments and the band's propulsive use of foot-stomping. The trio's ability to move dexterously through a variety of ‘crooked’ rhythms, including jigs and reels, is best showcased by the album's final track, ‘Sarazine’.