Hi!
I was just wondering if any of you are familiar with the Quebecois band ‘La Bottine Souriante’. They play Quebecois folk music, which is highly influenced by Irish folk music. They’ve played at lots of folk music festivals in the US and in Europe, and people who’ve seen them seem to love them. In Quebec they like to have us believe that they’re famous, and I’m trying to find out if that’s true!
If you haven’t heard of them, they’re definitely worth checking out.
Emilie
Well, I’m not sure if they’re “famous”, but all Quebecois I know know the band, even people who arent into folk music (like my sister and mother!). So yeah, I’d say they’re very popular.
They’re also well-known among lovers of folk music in Belgium, which is quite receptive to a wide range of folk musics, though I’ve never heard them myself.
You bet I know about them. I have a couple of their records and I like them very much. I didn’t have a lot of trouble tracking them down in Australia but only a couple are easy to get, the others would have to be specially ordered. I don’t know how well known they are; no other Australian I’ve asked had heard of them, not that I’ve asked very many.
Last year I had a very comfortable pair of shoes, but one was falling apart in the appropriate way. I used to refer to it as my ‘bottine souriante’, much to the annoyance of a Canadian colleague. I have no idea whether the cause of the annoyance was
Probably all of the above.
But I digress; listen to this band if you get the chance.
[ This Message was edited by: Wombat on 2003-02-27 09:59 ]
Well, I’ve certainly heard of them. I’ve at least heard them on the radio on our now defunct local folk show. But I live in Ontario which isn’t all that far away.
Steve
Sure, I’ve heard of them- but my grandparents on my Dad’s side were originally from Quebec, so I have been there many many times- though not for a long time now.
All the Best, Tom
They are known in the small but enthusiastic NE Ohio folk scene. I don’t have any of their CDs myself - I’ll have to rectify that.
Mike
Their track “Le lys vert” on the “kind-of-Chieftain” CD “Fire in the kitchen” is the most hilarious, ass-kicking folk recording I have ever heard. Their brass section is really something special. I wish they would come to Germany in the near future!
Christian
Yeap… know them… saw them playing in the Netherlands 3 years ago at Tilburg Festival and have a CD of them as well. They seem to be touring Europe regularly as I have seen them announced a few times. They are certainly a great live act, worth a travel to see them.
Brigitte
Long time no hear, Brigitte!
Now, I’m getting to hate this Tilburg thing, depriving Mesquer of your presence…
How’s the XT a-thumping ?
never heard of them..thanks for the heads up…I recently saw Barachois though…amazing group!
I saw them a few years back in the UK. They were advertised as ‘the best band in the world’ and though that may be a bit extreme they’d certainly be on the shortlist for the title.
A little farther south, but still in the Midwester US, never heard of them here, either. Which isn’t too surprising, since the requirements for fame around here seem to be steel guitars and nasal singing, or else long hair and varying degrees of unfamiliarity with your instrument.
Anyone know if Amazon or another big web outfit carries their CDs?
I just checked Amazon. They list four Bottine Souriante CDs, all out of stock.
Mike
They were here in Medford at the Ginger Rogers Craterian Theater about 6 months ago and they were outrageous. Such an incredibly high energy group and as tight a performance as I’ve seen. These guys have been together for quite some time and they are worth seeing no matter how far you have to go to get there.
Ronaldo
What Christian said! 
They rock. I have “Rock and Reel,” which I got from Barnes and Noble. Definitely worth the $15.
Tom
Didn’t think I’d get such an enthusiastic response!
Their cd’s can be found at amazon.ca which ships “books, CDs, DVDs, and VHS videos to international addresses except those in Afghanistan, Angola, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Montenegro, Serbia, and Sudan.”. I think most of the people on the board should be covered! 
Thought I should mention some tour dates:
March 1: Lachine, QC
April 12: Voss, Norway (yay!)
May 14: Edmonton, AB
May 16: Calgary, AB
May 17: Banff, AB
Emilie
Yes I’ve heard of them… AND they’re in my Alevel music textbook! I was very surprised at that - they’re the only band mentioned in the 1/2 page on folk music in the 20th century.
My most absolute favourite group of all time.
Last time I saw them was at the Canadian Exhibition last year..free show, and only 100 people in attendance. But La Bouttine gave a dynamite show despite the small numbers.I highly recommend the following of all of their CD’s-
En Spectacle and the 20th anniversary CD(new last year).(and the cut from ‘Fire in the Kitchen’ with the Chieftains is just hilarious!!!)Quebecers know how to have fun.
They were the surprise hit of Milwaukee Irish Fest a couple of years ago, and were fun to watch perform. Last year at Irish Fest was Barachois, from Prince Edward Island, who were hysterically funny as well as great musicians. Some great music up dere in the Great White North, eh?
Beth