Barachois was created in the mid-1990s by siblings Hélène Bergeron and Albert Arsenault, cousin Louise Arsenault and unrelated musician Chuck Arsenault. The band played Acadian traditional music – a rhythmic, high-voltage style born in the heart of a culture kept alive through two and a half centuries on tiny Prince Edward Island, Canada.
The songs were brought over from France with some of the first settlers in North America, and have been infused with other influences – most recognizably, the Scottish and Irish fiddling styles. The heartbeat of Barachois’ music is what one writer calls the “bedeviled rhythms” inherent in the tunes. The voice is an energetic fiddle with a driving piano foundation.
The music has been passed down through generation after generation of kitchen parties and community dances and gatherings. It is a musical genre all its own, filled with passion, filled with life.
“Because my father was a well-known fiddler (Eddy Arsenault), musicians were continually dropping in and there was always music in our house – always“, said band member Hélène Arsenault-Bergeron. “For us, it was like the kids today with radio and TV only we had the fiddle, guitar, and pump organ not to mention other instruments that wandered in and out.”
Throw in some driving foot rhythms, piano, a plethora of homemade percussion instruments, close harmonies and the occasional brass instrument and you have the spicy Acadian stew that Barachois puts on the boil for every performance.
It’s a stew well-seasoned with laughter. Acadian parties are known for their warmth and humor – a welcome reward and a much-needed respite from the daily business of raising a large family. The wit, charm, and even the antics that Barachois brings onstage is as much a part of their heritage as the songs they sing and the tunes they play. And for the most part, it was learned in the same place – a raucous house party on a Saturday night.
The group’s first recording, simply titled Barachois, picked up where the party trailed off. Pulling its material and inspiration from the collective memory of the Acadian people, the album received three nominations at the East Coast Music Awards as well as receiving the award for Francophone recording of the year.
“The music is at the root of everything” said Hélène, “It’s authentic and familiar and so much a part of who we are.”
On stage, their music was presented with equal portions of comedy, dance, and innovation.
Barachois is an Acadian word for shallow pools of water separated from the sea by sand dunes.
Discography
Barachois- Acadian Music from Prince Edward Island (1996)
Encore! (1999)
Naturel (2002)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
