LaïsCountry of origin:Belgium Type of music generally:Beautiful & fierce traditional and neo-traditional contemporary folk and folk/pop. Status:Most recent release, Midwinter Tales (2016) See also:Laïs' site Comparisons:A little like Garmarna, Gjallerhaorn, Hedningarna, Värttinä Covers/own material:Traditional, own, covers General comments:Laïs are a Belgian vocal-based mostly traditional group, generally focusing on harmonies and singing with minimal instrumentation, and often a cappella. The Ladies' Second Song is one of the most unique folk/trad/pop albums ever. (Neile) Comments about live performance:Someone sent me a CD of them live, and it's truly delightful. If they were appearing anywhere near me, I would definitely try to catch them—I think they would shine especially well live. (Neile) Recommended first album:Dorothea or Douce victime for their more traditional side, The Ladies' Second Song for something a little odder. Recordings:
LaïsRelease info:1998—ALEA/Wild Board Music—WBM 201005 Availability:Europe Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Jorunn Bauweaerts—vocals Guest artists:Erwin Libbrecht—guitar Comments:An album of traditional songs, epitomizing what I describe above, where the focus is on harmonies and stripped-down instrumentation. There are several a cappella songs. There is even one track in English (a Sinéad O'Connor cover that I originally assumed was traditional!) There is also a Jacques Brel cover. Hilariously, the final track is a short section of the previous track backwards. A very intriguing album, and a good introduction to this group. (Neile) DorotheaRelease info:2000—Virgin Music Belgium—LC 3098 Availability:Europe Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Jorunn Bauweaerts—vocals Guest artists:Fritz Sundermann—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, charango, octave guitar, harmonium, bass, mandocello Produced by:Fritz Sundermann and Laïs Comments:Here they mix their own compositions ("Doran" in particular is compelling and gorgeous though all the tracks are strong) with traditional songs, a song by Philippe Eidel and Lucilla Galeazzi, a Hedningarna track, etc. They've come into their own with this album—it's lively, lovely, and powerful. Highly, higly recommended for anyone who likes harmonies, traditional sounds, lively, lovely music. (Neile) A la capellawith Ludo VaneauRelease info:2003—Virgin Music Belgium—5844442 Availability:Europe Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Jorunn Bauweaerts—vocals Produced by:Laïs Comments:gorgeous harmonies, gorgeous songs—only complaint is the mini album is on the shortish side and leaves me wanting more :) (gordoja@optonline.net) Douce victimeRelease info:2004—EMI—07243 578333 2 S Availability:Europe Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Annelies Brosen—vocals Guest artists:Marc Bonne—drums, percussion Produced by:Wouter Van Belle, Peter Obbels, Arthur De Kegel Comments:They've always included a song or two from other traditions, but here they go farther afield, including tracks with Middle Eastern and Eastern European flavours. This album is way up there with Dorothea as one of their best to me. (Neile) The Ladies' Second SongRelease info:2007—Bang! Music—bc 0361 Availability:Europe Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Annelies Brosens—vocals Guest artists:Elko Blijweert—electric guitar (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 12, 13), acoustic guitar (4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12), ebow guitars (10), piano (10), Godzilla vocal (6) Produced by:Elko Blijweert, Bjorn Eriksson, and Laïs Comments:One of my favourite albums of 2007. It's an odd one, with songs from W. B. Yeats and Neruda, sounding more pop with more instrumentation than their usual music, but still very traditionally based. Strange but powerful and highly compelling. I find it irresistible. A unique recording. (Neile) Laïs Lenskiwith Simon LenskiRelease info:2009—Bang! Music—BC 0601 Availability:Europe Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Nathalie Delcroix, Jorunn Bauwraerts, Annelies Brosens, vocals Comments:This is a stripped-down album: three voices and cello. It mostly feels like it's on the more experimental edge and this may not be for everyone. It occasionally has elements of the catchy The Ladies' Second Song but mostly is quieter. It includes a Nico cover, two Shostakovitch songs. (Neile) |
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