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Here's something special for you Francophiles, especially if you favor the Canadian side of the pond. The Choeur de l'Eglise Baptiste de Sept-Iles is a modest crew, perhaps a dozen singers covering a wide range of ages (based on the Web site photo and the sound of the voices). The church is based in Quebec, and Voici Noel presents 18 lovely carols sung entirely in French.

Way back when, I spent a year in Clermont-Ferrand, France, teaching English at the local university. It was a remarkable experience, and it gave me the opportunity to put my Romance Languages (French) major to good use. During that year abroad, I joined the community choir singing holiday music, so this CD brings back the warmest memories of a great adventure in my life.

Even if you have never spent a year in France--or even ventured to Quebec--you will find this album quite charming. Certainly, if you have any fondness for the lovely French language, and especially for delightful church choirs that include angelic young voices, this album should be a no-brainer.

It is true that many songs will not be familiar to the average American audience, although some popular favorites lurk behind unsuspecting titles. For example, the opening Ecoutex le chant des anges is the well familiar Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and Les anges dans nos campagnes is simply Angels We Have Heard on High. The title track is actually Silent Night (you get the idea!).

Jean Roy does a fine job of directing the ensemble, inspiring a high performance level. The singing is consistently fine, and the harmonies are lovely, particularly on Voice Noel. Although some pieces are sung a cappella, others enjoy organ accompaniment (again, Jean Roy) or piano, and violins occasionally join the fun (e.g., Sur la paille fraiche, otherwise known as Away in a Manger).

Although Voici Noel is sung in a foreign language and comes from another country, it undeniably conveys a homespun warmth that makes it most appropriate this time of year. Joyeux Noel to the Eglise Baptiste de Sept-Iles! Your choeur est incroyable!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Directeur musical: Jean Roy
Orgue: Jean Roy
Enregistrement, mixage et mastering: Jean Roy
Photographie: Dolores Roy

Violon: Seth Crosby, Joel Corriveau
Piano: Sarah Crosby
Arrangements: Sarah Crosby et Jean Roy



From the Website:

Depuis 1958 à Sept-Îles, Québec

Église Baptiste de Sept-Iles
233 Rue Holliday
C.P. 422
Sept-Îles (Québec)
G4R 4K6

La Chorale de l'Église Baptiste de Sept-Îles a été privilégiée de produire trois CD jusqu'à maintenant. Il s'agit d'un CD de chants chrétiens chantés A Capella "Mon Dieu plus près de toi" et d'un CD de chants de Noël "Voici Noël." Le dernier CD est "Crée en moi un coeur pur."

Choeur de l'Eglise Baptiste de Sept-Iles

Voici Noel

Artist link

Track List