Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord

Subject: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Zhenya
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 12:13 AM

While web-browsing, I just now discovered that Benoit Bourque had left the group Le Vent du Nord, apparently around March or April 2007. Does anyone know the reason? He had such a charismatic presence in this group that it's hard to imagine it without him.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 11:38 PM

This is sad news - at the US National Folk Festival in Richmond, Virginia last year he led the audience in dance - it was electrifying.

If you haven't heard Le Vent du Nord, I suggest you check them out - they have wonderful albums and even better live performances. I hope the group is as good in the new configuration.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Anglo
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 02:53 AM

The band is extremely good in the new configuration.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST,Nerd
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 10:16 AM

Benoit never stays in a band all that long, actually. One reason is that he's got huge charisma, and tends to get all the attention, but generally other people in the band have greater chops, and jealousies develop.

I doubt if that was the cause in this case, though!

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Greg B
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 11:05 AM

Ah yes, the man with the infectious smile!

I wouldn't say that other band members' 'chops' are
any better or worse than his, though. He's a damned good
box player. Who, as it happens, can sit and play his
accordion while step-dancing out the rhythm.

Because of his charisma, though, he may be destined to be
"Benoit Bourque and..." in the future.

Oh, yeah: "Sorry girls, he's married!"

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST,A fan of Le Vent du Nord
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 01:44 AM

Let's put the nail on the head, people. Benoit was asked to leave because the new (and easily replacable) guitarist, Simone, didn't want to play with Benoit, anymore. It's easy to replace an accordion, but it is not easy to replace the heart of the band.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 02:21 AM

I got one of their CDs from another Mudcatter and love it. We listen to at least once or twice a week. I hope they continue with the sound we've become familiar with.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 10:50 AM

As Greg said he's a great box & bones player who step dances lively while playing & has a wide smile accompanyied by a very big personality & is very likable & the word charisma keeps coming up with his name, he's got plenty of it. He's seems to be in a constant state of movement & in a new band every time I've seen him. I'm sure you'll enjoy him in his next configuration. As for being replaced, I doubt that he's easily replacable, he's usually the attraction & frontman & spokesperson of the bands he's in, now that might be a problem for lesser personilities. The few times I met him at parties or sessions he's come across as a very nice outgoing guy who can't sit still & just loves to play & dance & you really know it when you meet him.

Barry

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Zhenya
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 11:47 AM

Thanks for everyone's comments. I guess this somewhat explains what happened. I'm glad to hear they still sound great, and I'm looking forward to hearing them in the new configuration, and Benoit wherever he ends up.

I see the new accordionist for Le Vent du Nord is Réjean Brunet, of les Frères Brunet. I have two albums of the Brunet brothers, both very appealing, so this bodes well. I think I'll go ahead and get their new album, which has apparently just come out (link below), and take it from there.

Dans Les Airs

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Greg B
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 02:42 PM

"So we bitched about his fans and should we crush his sweet hands?"

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 02:35 PM

The group were the Alaska Folk Festival guest artists several years ago. The others were very good and the group as a whole was awesome but I must say that the one who still gets talked about is Benoit.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST,KT not logged in
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 03:03 PM

what Ebbie said.... His name comes up, often.

As is usually the case, there are likely two sides to the story of why he's no longer with the band, but there's no doubt that folks will flock to see him in the new one. His combination of charisma and talent will see to that. I wish him well, and look forward to hearing about what's next for him.
KT

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 03:13 PM

Greg, leave his hands & feet alone. HeHeHe

Barry

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 03:29 PM

Zhenya, thansk for the link. I am enjoying the samples of the songs. Definitely one I will order. Love their stuff!

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST,Nerd
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 02:25 AM

I notice the anonymous fan claimed that Simon didn't want to play with Benoit, but did not tell us why. Or why, after Olivier and Nicolas had played with Benoit for so long and Simon for a much shorter time, they would go along with his demands, if indeed that's what happened.

Or why the very same thing happened after several years with Matapat.

I happen to like Benoit very much. As a promoter, I have hired him twice (with Matapat). As a journalist I've written a cover story for a prominent folk magazine based on interviews with him (and Le Vent du Nord).

I'm not sure what's behind him being always "on the move." I do know what some of the issues were in Matapat, because I talked with all three of the founders, as well as their agent, after the fact, and that was reflected in my comments above.

Given that, I don't believe for a moment his departure from Le Vent du Nord was all just because of a hissyfit from Simon. It clearly goes a little deeper, at least into WHY Simon wanted him to go, and why the others agreed to it.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: black walnut
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 09:16 AM

I've been to The Woods Music and Dance Camp (Ontario, Canada) twice when Benoit was on staff. It's a small camp - only about 75 in total - so you get to really spend time with the most wonderful musicians. Benoit was one of the nicest, most generous, lively, talented, inspiring of the bunch.

On December 1 he is sharing hosting duties with Shelagh Rogers (CBC radio) at the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards in Gatineau, Quebec.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Nerd
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 01:18 PM

No arguments with Black Walnut on that! Benoit is a great, great person and a great performer.

I don't want my comments above to be interpreted as suggesting his being on the move is because of anything bad he's doing; it's just he seems either not to want to be in bands for that long, or other guys can't take being eclipsed by his intense charisma.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Susan A-R
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 05:30 PM

They are all pretty hot musicians, and it seemed to me that they were going through a reasonable transition when I saw them last February. Benoit may have the charisma, but I'd run off with Olivier or Nicolas any day :)

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 05:22 PM

There are three Quebecois bands that Benoit Borque has been invited to leave: Eritage, Matapat, Le Vent du Nord.

I've heard stories from some of his former bandmates, but I wouldn't want to repeat hearsay.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Greg B
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 05:42 PM

>I've heard stories from some of his former bandmates, but I wouldn't >want to repeat hearsay.

You kind of just did, and hid behind 'GUEST' to boot.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 07:17 PM

And, Black Walnut, he will be calling your name as a winner, for Simply Beautiful, and you'll have to go up on stage to receive it from him. Lucky you!*bg* Tell him he has me swoonin' in Colorado.:-)

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: black walnut
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 01:57 PM

Thanks Kat! If he calls out Noix Noire, I'll be there!

Let me tell you a funny story. Once - a long time ago, when I wasn't yet sensitive to perfumes - I went up to Benoit and asked him what cologne he used, because I sure would like to get my husband some of that. He said that he didn't wear cologne. I walked away, thinking
a) how embarrassing was that?
b) what pheremones!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: black walnut
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 09:56 AM

Last Saturday night Benoit Bourque co-hosted the Canadian Folk Music Awards with CBC's Shelagh Rogers in Gatineau Quebec at the Museum of Civilization. During the grand finale, Galitcha joined with The Duks for a grand finale, and for what was possibly the highlight of the whole evening Benoit came out dancing claquette, with Shelagh doing the Highland Fling which she'd learned in her youth, and Kuljit Sodhi joining in with his North Indian steps. It was so much fun to watch, and we were all clapping and bopping along...

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 10:19 AM

That must've been fantastic! I have been enjoying watching North Indian jigging contests on youtube, lately.

Missed your post about his pheremones! What a guy!

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST,ard
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 02:34 PM

I just heard an interview that Shelagh Rogers did with Benoit - he is now doing music therapy with the elderly - passionate, giving, loving of life and respectful. That's how he comes across. His music is an outward manifestation of that!

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 09:14 AM

I wish I'd heard that interview. When was it on?

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 11:27 AM

On Friday Dec. 7 at about 11:15 a. m., just before Afghanada.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 11:55 AM

Ah ha. Thanks. I look it up in the archives.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: GUEST,Dalhia
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 03:47 PM

I know Benoit Bourque since years. GUEST, you are wrong on one point : he was not asked to leave Eritage - it was his own decision to leave.
But yes, he was fired from Matapat and Le Vent du Nord. I'm curious about "the stories of some of his former bandmates" you'r talking about.I have the feeling that some jealousy is involved.

Subject: RE: Benoit Bourque / Le Vent du Nord
From: Greg B
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 09:34 PM

As in "all the women want him and all the men want to BE him?"

Or in the more contemporary, David Bowie reference, "so we
bitched about his fans and should we crush his sweet hands?"

Yeah, that's the ticket... the Ziggy Stardust of the squeezebox.