The days end sooner, the winds grow cold, my sandals are in hibernation. My God, how I pity myself. These are the days of transient denial made a little more palatable by some fine music in my mailbox.
    I have reviewed so many CDs from Canada's Borealis Records, you must think I'm on their payroll. (I'm not, not that I haven't dropped a few hints). Their lineup of trad and near-trad artists is as extensive as I've found. Their latest submission is a collection of (Now, let me get this right) musique traditionelle du Quebec entitled "Maudite Moisson !" performed by an astonishingly talented group, Le Vent du Nord, .
    Now, I will admit that my French is limited to fried potatoes and salad dressing so I'm sure I missed some nuances in the songs in spite of the useful translations in the bilingual album notes. Also, I am told that there is a significant difference between French French and Quebec French (some of my best French are jewish, but that's another tale for another time). But, whether you are a Francophile or, like me, linguistically illiterate, this is a wonderful, wonderful CD. It is bursting with grand music and great performances. The musicianship of , Le Vent du Nord, is to be believed. On such diverse instruments as hurdy-gurdy, accordions, bodhran, violin, mandolin, piano and pieds (foot tapping), they manage to present a show as varied as it is exciting. I even loved the vocals. I didn't understand them but I loved them.
    Don't miss this terrific offering from a group who will surely become as successful as they are gifted. They have their own web site www.leventdunord.com
or you can contact Borealis Records at www.borealisrecords.com.

Michael Miller
Tune-Up, a publication of the Philadelphia Folksong Society