Not only were we treated to an exceptional, intimate, and deeply moving performance, but we also had a lot of laughs last night at Le Ministère, as part of the second evening of Vision Diversité’s MOZAÏK series. It felt like we were stepping into LiKouri’s bedroom (her bedside lamp was part of the set design), accompanied by Charles Cantin on vocals and guitar and Isabelle Gaudreau on clarinet.
The rapport between Li and Charles was obvious, less so with Isabelle, who didn’t have a microphone to interact with the audience like the other two. That said, her clarinet solos, or simply her musical talent, were a feast to our ears.
Lighting was also central to this intimate show as it contributed to the desired atmosphere: to discover the artists in their deepest selves.
All the songs are featured on the album Dans mon quartier, released in the fall of 2025, and it was during a 10-day residency at the Maison de la culture de Ahuntsic that all the magic happened. First between Li and Charles, then Isabelle joined later.
The first part of the concert was without accordion for LiKouri, during which we could fully appreciate her unique voice, which at times bordered on opera. Effortlessly, she managed to give us goosebumps, particularly during the song “Verde Lima,” in which she sang in Spanish, accompanied by Charles on backing vocals. Isabelle switched between clarinets, depending on the song.
Between songs, she shared a few anecdotes, often very funny, especially when she talked about the song “Statue” or when she shared the story behind the song “O’dji Comeback.” In fact, I went and found it on YouTube when I got home, as requested by the artists.
Charles’ guitar playing was also very impressive. From one song to the next, he managed to create a completely different atmosphere, adding depth to the show.
In the middle of the evening, LiKouri settles in with her accordion and together, the trio takes us elsewhere, notably on the song “La valse” which recalls old French songs, with a Piaf-like feel.
But the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly during the song “Les ou Les” where the audience happily sang along.
Another highlight of the evening was the instrumental song section. No words, just the three instruments conversing with each other, without monotony, with moments both gentle and more rhythmic, all in a completely organic way.
That said, the song that stuck in my head after the concert was “Je recommencerai pour ne rien changer”, probably because it was the last song in the setlist, but I can’t find it on the album Dans mon quartier. I’ll have to do some digging to find it. One thing is for sure: if all of MOZAÏK’s evenings are as moving as the one with LiKouri and her trio, I’ll definitely be there, because in these troubled times, a little bit of sweetness does us all a world of good.
Photo Credit: Peter Graham
