Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison

This somewhat obscure 1975 album by Harmonium certainly ranks very highly amongst proggers. In fact, the ProgArchives website places Si on avait Besoin du'une Cinquieme Saison (If one needed a fifth season) fairly high up on the list of the 100 most popular prog albums (as designated on their website). This album is simply wonderful and presents a nice blend of folk, progressive rock, some jazz, and even a tiny hint of bluegrass - it has inspired me to explore the Quebec scene further; a scene I should be a bit more familiar with than I am. The lineup on this album includes Serge Fiori (6 and 12 string acoustic guitars; flute; mandolin; zither harp; percussion; vocals); Michael Normandeau (6 string acoustic guitar; accordion; dulcimer; and vocals); Luis Valois (Rickenbacker electric bass guitar; electric piano; and vocals); Pierre Daigneault (flute; piccolo; soprano saxophone; clarinet; bass clarinet; and Serge Locat (grand piano; electric piano; mellotron; synthesizers). Supporting musicians include Judy Richard (vocalese on on Histoires sans Paroles); and Marie Bernard (martenot on En Pleine Face). The martenot was a new instrument for me so I dug up a few internet factoids and found that it is an early electronic instrument with a keyboard and slide, which was invented in 1928 (by Maurice Martenot). The sound is very similar to that of the Theremin - as it is used on this album, the instrument produces some supremely eerie, oscillating tones at the introduction to En Pleine Face. Conspicuous in its absence on this album is the drum kit - a welcome change of pace in my opinion. The effect (for me at any rate) was to make me focus more on the dense arrangements and lush cushion of warm tone colors generated with the acoustic guitar and mellotron (with string setting). The vocals (in French) are very, very nice and work well with the material. The five tracks on this album range in length from 3:26 to the epic, 17:12 Histoires sans Paroles suite and all exhibit soft acoustic textures with an almost folky ambiance - in fact, it is only the bass guitar that lends a "rock" element to this music. These guys really spent a lot of time on arrangements, melodies, and harmonies and trust me, it shows. There is a surprisingly wide range of musical influences on this album, ranging from the softer, folkier end of progressive rock in the style of the quieter moments of Renaissance, PFM, and also Anthony Phillips, to tiny snippets of bluegrass inflected jams reminding me somewhat of the collaborations between David Grisman and the late Jerry Garcia, and even some traditional folk music. High points of the album for me include the haunting melodies and the brooding mellotron passages - this is a very emotional album and the music evokes images of bare trees and windswept, snow-covered fields. This reissued album by Polydor is pretty nice and features the original album art along with the lyrics. The sound quality is good. All in all, this album is very highly recommended. Other albums in a similar vein include The Geese and the Ghost (Anthony Phillips, 1977); and Turn of the Cards (Renaissance, 1974).

Having missed them the first time around, when I was in my young prog-loving prime, I'm delighted to have discovered Harmonium late in life. While my taste for more bombastic prog has dimmed over time (with some exceptions), my love for more pastoral folk-prog has only grown ... and this gorgeous album is a thing of haunting, joyful beauty, from the exquisite music to the serene cover art. And since I've always found French to be the most lovely of the Romance languages, despite my not speaking it, the vocals have an otherworldly quality to them that mingles with the music in transporting me to a much happier place. This is one of those albums that has no weak songs, no dull patches — it flows along quite peacefully, but without being dull or soporific — there's plenty of liveliness here, too! If the world isn't like the one evoked by this album, it ought to be ... and while you're immersed in the music, it really IS that just-out-of-reach Eden-like world — most highly recommended!

I was extremely fortunate to live in Québec City, Canada, during the 1st referendum on Sovereignty Association in 1980, and to witness the absolute explosion of Québécois music and culture at that time. It was mind-blowing. One of the Québécois bands I got exposed to was Harmonium. Their first, eponymous album became an instant favorite, but it was "Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison" that became and remains a "Desert Island 10". It's difficult to explain where this album sits stylistically, but you have to understand where Quebecker's tastes were at that time: everyone I knew in Québec City was into Prog Rock bands like Genesis, ELP, King Crimson, etc. At the same time, there was an upwelling of French Canadian folkrock music, such as "Les Seguins", Sylvie Tremblay, "Beau Dommage", and others. Separatism became a cultural movement with its own soundtrack, a kind is "Summer of Love" celebration of the 'distinct society' of Québec vis-à-vis English Canada (and the hegemon to the south!), played on the traditional instruments of rural Québec. Into that mix, Harmonium released "Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison", incorporating prog instruments and sensibilities into a folkrock tapestry, and one of the most gorgeous uses of the Mellotron ever heard. Aside from the palate cleanser "Dixie", the album flows, gradually building up ever evolving song structures. Ça coule. Each track captures the season it represents, and especially "Depuis l'Automne" captures the wistfulness of a long Québec night. It's a profoundly emotional album, and there's nothing else quite like it in folky early years of Progressive Rock; the closest might be very early Genesis. Many Harmonium fans will argue that l"Heptade is the better album, but imho, that work didn't have the organic, mystical quality of "Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison". Highly recommended.

While visiting a Canadian friend I was asked "do you like Cirque music? Do you like Mannheim Steamroller? Do you like creative artists?" I said yes. Then they put this album on. It is intensely creative, highly musical, and innovative. I urge you to consider finding this and giving it a try.

Lately, I have been satisfying my urge for vintage Progressive Rock made in the early 70s. What brings on this urge is a consequence of my review reading, and track/band sampling. On one such occasion, I came across several reviews covering Harmonium. I settled on this release and have played it nearly once a day, every day since it arrived. It is a profoundly beautiful record. Its poetically lyrical quality, refined melody and intricate musicianship come together to comprise one of the finest Progressive Rock recordings from the 70s. From the combined instrumentation of reeds, flute, keyboards, including the Mellotron with guitar/bass and drum accompaniment, Harmonium creates this amazing piece of modern [progressive] rock music that has endured the test of trend & time. A must for the sophisticated ear for any music lover, especially those that crave melodic Progressive Rock.

This CD by Harmonium is a masterpiece! It is mellow, moving, and the music is excellently played. You owe it to yourself to hear this CD. This is slow progressive rock sung in French and so the band is not as well known as Yes or King Crimson. But this band deserves a wider audience.

I first heard music from this album while eating in a French restaurant in old Montreal in 1978. I got the name of the album from our waiter. I immediately bought it at a record store while I was in Montreal and I am glad I did, as it was not available in the U.S. I think it is some of the most beautiful music ever recorded. I bought this vinyl album on Amazon for a friend because, of course, I already have it.

I very rarely give any CDs 5 stars. This one is an exception. Here we have excellent melodic folk-based sympho prog in the best 1970th traditions. This obscure band is a real hidden gem that deserves at least as much hype as famous French classic prog bands like Ange or Mona Lisa.

An important musical landmark of my Montreal adolescence, and it holds up beautifully over time. 'Chansons Sans Paroles' is nothing less than a folk symphony that still gives me chills and even tears. The group's pinnacle came with the next release, 'L'Heptade', but this one is also essential listening. No better way to learn French than to follow the clever lyrics and seek to understand them. Once you get it, the lyrics are also rewarding to follow and sing along to.

El segundo disco del grupo canadiense de los 70 Harmonium supone una transición del folk rock de su primer álbum al rock progresivo del tercero. Suele considerarse su mejor trabajo, a lo que contribuyen, sin duda, temas como Dixie (con toques jazzísticos), el precioso En Plaine Face y la maravillosa suite Histories Sans Paroles.

Excelente producto.Bien empaquetado,y la música altamente recomendable!

Diese Scheibe ist einfach nur schön. Wenn mal wieder was schiefgelaufen ist und sie zum Ausgleich einfach was "Schönes" brauchen, hier liegen sie richtig. Symphonischer Rock in der Richtung Yes und (frühe) Genesis aber weniger rockig. Gewissermaßen zwangsläufig, denn ein Schlagzeug kommt hier nicht zum Einsatz. Aber bitte nicht zurückschrecken es auch kein Zuckerguß oder heiße Schokolade (passt aber sicher gut dabei :-)), Rock ist sicher die richtige Bezeichnung. Man hört deutlich Folk-Anklänge, aber das ist es ganz sicher auch nicht. Jeder der sich und seine Ohren mal so richtig verwöhnen will sollte zugreifen.

This is a classic in the prog rock tradition. Sadly, the jewel box was shattered. Yet another that will have to be replaced. As a collector, it may be necessary to find an alternative source, as this occurs quite frequently.