HARMONIUM - S/T SELF-TITLED 12" Vinyl LP Album

- French Release with Gatefold Album Cover

This album "HARMONIUM" is the eponymous debut album by Québécois band Harmonium released in 1974. It was their most folk driven album, and features the song that made them famous "Pour un instant".

 

HARMONIUM - Self-Titled Orig France Gatefold Cover 12" LP VINYL Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

"Harmonium Self-Titled" Album Description:

In 1974, a wave of progressive rock experimentation was rippling across the globe. Yet, nestled within the French-speaking province of Québec, a trio named Harmonium emerged with a sonic tapestry unlike any other. Their self-titled debut album, a gatefold vinyl adorned with evocative imagery, was a landmark in Canadian music – a delicate marriage of folk traditions and ambitious musical journeys.

The Québec Context

Harmonium's emergence cannot be separated from the socio-political climate of 1970s Québec. It was a time of burgeoning cultural pride and a desire to assert a distinct Québécois identity. The band's lyrics, penned primarily by frontman Serge Fiori, embraced their French-Canadian heritage, weaving tales of folklore, longing, and the beauty of the natural world.

A Sonic Landscape

Musically, 'Harmonium' is a captivating blend. Acoustic guitars, warm vocal harmonies, and the wistful strains of the flute evoke a timeless folk sensibility. Yet, the band was far from traditionalists. Electric guitars surge unexpectedly, mellotron passages add a symphonic depth, and the compositions themselves reveal a progressive-rock ambition in their extended structures and shifting moods. This unique fusion of folk and prog made Harmonium stand apart in the era's musical landscape.

Key Figures

Serge Fiori was the heart and soul of Harmonium. His poetic lyrics, expressive vocals, and masterful guitar work defined the band's sound. Alongside him, Michel Normandeau's intricate basslines and flute melodies, along with Louis Valois's dynamic drumming, brought the compositions to vivid life. While largely recorded by the trio themselves, sound engineer Pete Tessier played a crucial role in capturing the album's rich sonic palette.

Album Description & Collectors information:

Music Genre:

Prog Rock, Folk Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "HARMONIUM - S/T Self-Titled FOC" was produced by: R.A. (Rob) Morten

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Michel Lachance

This album was recorded at: Studio Tempo, Montreal , January 1974

Album cover photography: Robert Lussier

Record Label & Catalognr:

Green Record Label with: GAMMA 8521 8.521

Album Packaging:

Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 280 gram  

Year & Country:

1974 Made in France
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: HARMONIUM - S/T Self-Titled FOC
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Serge Fiori – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Michel Normandeau – backing vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Louis Valois – bass guitar
  • Rejean Emond - Drums
  • Alan Penfold - Flugelhorn
Complete Track-listing of the album "HARMONIUM - S/T Self-Titled FOC"

The detailed tracklist of this record "HARMONIUM - S/T Self-Titled FOC" is:

    Track-listing Side One:
  1. "Harmonium" (Serge Fiori, Michel Normandeau) – 6:36
  2. "Si doucement" (Fiori) – 4:25
  3. "Aujourd'hui, je dis bonjour à la vie" (Fiori) – 5:44
  4. "Vieilles courroies" (Fiori, Normandeau) – 5:47
    Track-listing Side Two:
  1. "Attends-moi" (Fiori, Normandeau) – 4:40
  2. "Pour un instant" (Fiori, Normandeau) – 3:21
  3. "De la chambre au salon" (Fiori) – 5:43
  4. "Un musicien parmi tant d'autres" (Fiori) – 7:05

Index of HARMONIUM Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

Harmonium is a Canadian progressive rock band that is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential bands in the history of Canadian music. Their music is characterized by its intricate and melodic arrangements, lush harmonies, and poetic lyrics. While the band never achieved mainstream success outside of Quebec, their music continues to be celebrated and influential to this day.

HARMONIUM - S/T Self-Titled
HARMONIUM - S/T Self-Titled album front cover vinyl record

Discover Harmonium's debut album, a folk-prog gem from 1970s Québec. This self-titled masterpiece blends acoustic beauty with progressive ambition, featuring the iconic "Pour un instant."

Harmonium 12" Vinyl LP
HARMONIUM - Les Cinq Saisons
HARMONIUM - Les Cinq Saisons album front cover vinyl record

From the moment the needle touches the grooves of the vinyl record, an enchanting soundscape unfolds. The album's second track, "Dixie", immediately captures attention with its delicate piano melody

Les Cinq Saisons 12" Vinyl LP
HARMONIUM - L'Heptade
HARMONIUM - L'Heptade album front cover vinyl record

Released amidst the shifting musical trends of the late '70s, 'L'Heptade' found Harmonium at their most adventurous. Their signature blend of folk, prog-rock, and classical influences reached new heights of complexity

L'Heptade 12" Vinyl LP