Harmonium - Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième Saison (1975)

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Harmonium - Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième Saison (1975)

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On their second album, Harmonium had expanded from a trio to a five-piece as they were joined by keyboardist Serge Locat and Pierre Daigneault who handled various wind instruments, including flute, clarinet and saxophone. This time there were actually no drums around at all, but you won't probably give it a thought at all when you're listening to the rich and progressive sound of "Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième Saison" that had a concept based around the different seasons of the year. And before anyone start arguing that an old Italian used the same concept exactly 250 years earlier: Harmonium added their own twist by including a mysterious fifth season. This imaginary season was represented by the fantastic 17-minute "Histories Sans Paroles". This complex and mostly instrumental masterpiece showed compositional talent and abilities from Fiori that put him in the same class as Richard Harvey from Gryphon. And although Gryphon and Harmonium doesn't sound very much like each other, the comparison is still justified by the fact that both bands evolved from folk to their own kind of complex progressive rock that still maintained the folk roots within the sound. "Histories Sans Paroles" is so full of delicious arrangements and beautiful themes that never stays the same for very long, making it a piece that you never get tired of exploring while soothing in the many breathtaking melodies that pervade the entire suite. The only vocals featured are some completely wordless ones from Fiori himself, singing a melody that Daigneault's recorder quickly takes over before Fiori again appears, now singing it much higher and backed up by Locat's Mellotron. The emotional intensity and beauty of this part can't be described by words. Guest Judy Rich delivers some understated vocals when the music calms down again. Another noticeable guest appearance is Marie Bernard Pagé who could be heard with her Ondes Martenot a year later in Et Cetera. The second most progressive season on the album is the autumn in the 10-minute "Depuis L Automne" where Locat's sweeping Mellotron blends graciously in with the vocal harmonies, creating symphonic passages that floats in between the typically acoustic melodies of Fiori. The three remaining seasons on the album were slightly closer to the first album in style, but even here you could sense some more refinement. The spring in "Vert" is more complex than anything on the debut, and makes fine use of Daigneault's diverse wind instruments, while the most whimsical and somewhat energetic moment comes in the bright and swinging "Dixie" that describes the summer. The winter comes in "En Pleine Face" that is based in one of the finest melodies on the record, and includes some accordion played by Normandeau. "Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième Saison" was the first of Harmonium's classics, and undoubtedly also the record that made them into one of the progressive heavyweights from Québec.
(vintageprog.com)

I think I can safely say that this is one of my all time favorite albums ever. Within the course of one week, I had listened to this album around twenty times, and that's no exaggeration. I have just listened to this album again twice just now, and it still hasn't worn off on me. It still remains as beautiful as the first (or maybe second) time I heard itm no lie. Hugues is exactly right in his explanation of the sensation that this album brings upon you. You do get chills, at least I did and still do, every time I hear it. Indeed, this is perfection made human.

I cannot think of one weak spot on this whole entire album. It seems like everything is there for a reason. Each individual track has it's own character, as one would expect, each referring to a season, and the epic being about the fifth season. Sure, this album is mostly acoustic; there are no drums, no electric guitar solos, or anything like that. In this case, none of that is needed. The beauty that this album evokes is more important than anything else. Everything is coherent and flowing, but still very original.

This is an essential listen for everyone, Prog fan or not. I think that the only person who could not like such a wonderous album must be cold because what we have here is a product of emotions and beauty. The lead singer, Serge Fiori (at least I'm pretty sure he's the lead singer), has one of the most beautiful voices ever, regardless of genre. If you have not heard this album, you are really missing out. Do yourself a huge favor and check this masterpiece out. It's definitely a required listen in my book. No doubt in my mind, this album deserves 5 stars.
(Zac M., Canterbury/Jazz-Rock Specialist.
progarchives.com reviewer.)