Those who follow na-mara will know how important French traditional folk music is to what we do. It forms one of the major themes of our work. I have a loft full of music by French traditional musicians and a giant amongst that collection is Gabriel Yacoub whose music, both traditional and contemporary, I adore.
As mentioned previously in this blog, in late October last year we had the great pleasure of supporting French band Bandabero at a concert in Redbourne Village, near St. Albans. In talking with the members of Bandabero at the end of the evening it became clear that they knew Gabriel Yacoub personally. On hearing this, I asked violinist Freddy Baudimant if he would be so kind as to give Gabriel a copy of our CD, The Bite, when they next met.
Freddy has clearly done what he said he would do because, to our joy and surprise, Rob and I received a very nice e-mail from Gabriel recently in which he was kind enough to compliment the simple and delicate approach we take to our music and the respect that we have shown to the work that he and others in the French tradition have done in the past.
Gabriel was kind enough to invite us to get in contact with him and I had a very pleasant discussion with him that evening.
Thank you Gabriel for getting in touch with us! After the many hours of enjoyment and stimulation I have had listening to your music over many years, to know that we have in some way been able to reciprocate, fills me with happiness. (Thank you also for being so kind and understanding about my error in believing that the tune we use for the Track ‘The Bloody Inn’ is not traditional but is actually yours.) We wish you every success.
I am also thrilled to report that one of my absolute favourite French female singers, Sylvie Berger, has also been kind enough to say on Facebook that she likes the You Tube version of our song ‘Only For Three Months’ . I love the singing of Sylvie Berger in all the collaborations she has been involved in - with Evelyne Girardon, La Bergere, Eric Montbel and others, including Gabriel, of course. Likewise Sylvie, we wish you every success also!
