After a memorable opening night thanks to the pairing of the legendary rocker Marjo and the legendary Foufounes Électriques, Coup de cœur francophone continued on Friday evening with a unique proposition, giving rise to great thrills at the Cabaret Lion d’Or.
A priori, one would be tempted to believe that they are related, because Jeanne Laforest and Émilie Laforest share, in addition to the last name, classical roots, an interest in jazz, a sensitivity for poetry and a flair for the pop melody. If we told you that they grew up together in the same household, it would be easy to believe it. However, this is not the case.
They were paired somewhat by chance by Coup de coeur francophone, with the aim of creating an interesting double set for spectators, likely to appreciate both worlds. Do they have the same last name? Pure coincidence, but so much the better: it arouses curiosity.
However, their meeting gave rise to an unexpected alliance but one that paid off artistically.
* Photo by Richard Mercier
Let’s say it straight away, the star of the evening was Jeanne Laforest. The songwriter is very good. The singer too. The musician, very gifted.
But it was Jeanne Laforest the arranger who shone brightly on this Friday evening.
Last spring, she set up a small orchestra that she affectionately calls the Forestuor. An amalgam of current, classical and jazz musicians, all women, from diverse backgrounds. A “singular eclectic gathering” as she emphasizes, which allowed her to realize her fantasies of ambitious and creative arrangements.
A French-speaking crush therefore gave her the opportunity to reconnect with this project, and the least we can say is that she fully embraced the opportunity, even offering to Émilie Laforest to dress her songs of hers in sumptuous arrangements.
* Photo by Richard Mercier
Émilie, for her part, had launched her album My Silva in the spring and had only given one show, in full formation, at the Ministry. As part of the double set offered by CCF, she called on pianist Fabienne Lucet to present the fruit of in-depth work around her songs, rarely performed on stage. Thanks to Ms. Lucet’s “sophisticated pianistic score,” she intended to offer a show in the intimate format of a recital.
Finally, the two artists completely mixed their worlds, so that there was no longer an order of appearance on stage, but a single show featuring the songs of Émilie and Jeanne, alternating, with Fabienne Lucet’s piano here, and around fifteen instruments (winds, strings, name it) as well as choirs, drums, guitar…
The stage at the Lion d’Or was literally overflowing, to the point where around ten musicians were installed on the floor, in front of the stage. And it sounded like the fire of God, even if it was the very first time that the experiment had been attempted.
* Photo by Richard Mercier
To further broaden her range as an arranger, Jeanne Laforest even suggested that a few artist friends write and edit lush scores for their songs. Thus, friend Héron came to present the most spectacular version of his signature song, Riverin the middle of this breathtaking ensemble, and Kanen also came to present a song from her repertoire, which took on almost dramatic dimensions.
Are you going out? co-presented this show as part of a partnership with Coup de cœur francophone, and although our expectations were high, we could never have expected to perform such a grandiose show. With the help of someone named Morgane Lachance, the Laforests put on a high-flying show.
No offense to the victims of FOMO, it must be emphasized: we will not see this show again as is anytime soon… No chance of it going on tour. You had to be there. And those who were there will remember it for a long time.
Bulk photos:
* Photos by Richard Mercier
