Yves Cloutier – Fleuve

If you recognize recognise the theme from the TV series Watatatow, who ran in Quebec from 1991 to 2005, you’re definitely francophone and a member of generation X, maybe even generation Y (Millennials). In that case, you probably know Yves Cloutier, without being aware, because he wrote the famous theme (and the rest of the music) for the show. Cloutier has been on the road a lot, with pop collaborations, studio sessions, small ad hoc ensembles and composing for plays and video. This is his first personal album, drawing on sources such as jazz, classical, instrumental music and instrumental pop.

Fleuve (river, aka the Saint Lawrence) is a very pretty journey, gently evocative and made up of caressing melodies, undulating with delicate waves of nostalgic colour, pleasantly melancholy but not heavy on emo. The rhythm of his special guitar (two necks and 18 strings), lively but poised, lightly sprinkles the refined chamber arrangements, entrusted to the usual companions of lap steel, piano and double bass, but also some very interesting additions like bass clarinet and trombone (superb contrapuntal lines drawn for these two purring instruments, bravo). The choruses (Pays – ‘’Country’’) add a touch of landscape lyricism to the programme. Quebec famous band Harmonium springs to mind. Elsewhere, Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell are also evoked.

A gentle album, like a leisurely walk along the river’s edge, all senses filled with the spray and soundtrack of a tranquil torrent as grand as it is intimate.

Musical ensemble

Yves Cloutier: guitar

Olaf Gundel: lap steel, piano, rhodes, vibraphone, percussion, electric guitar

Cédric Dind-Lavoie : double bass

Erik West Millette: lap bass

Guillaume Bourque: clarinet and bass clarinet

Renaud Gratton: trombone

Vocalists: Annick Brémault (Sous les bateaux), Catherine Léveillé (Pays),Julie-Anne Cloutier (Sous les bateaux and Pays), Olaf Gundel (Sous les bateaux)