Harmonium - My favourite Folk/Symphonic Progressive Rock band.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Quebec-based Harmonium released only 3 studio albums between 1972-1978, but the magic of their music still captures me with each and every listen.....and I've listened to them all hundreds of times. Of the ones released I find it difficult to choose a fave, although their last album (l'heptade) is generally considered to be their "magnum opus" , but the second album (Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison) remains their most popular. I'm kinda partial to their eponymous debut (Harmonium), but I think that's because I was so bowled over by a record that really pressed all of my buttons. The soundscapes, the melancholy, the lyrics, the complexity.....wow!.I was taken and still am.

The first two albums were reissued on 180g and pressed at Pallas a few years back from the Classic Reissues label and are very well done, but if one finds an original pressing on the Celebration label you won't be disappointed.

I don't have a favourite Harmonium song as I love them all (and I'm being serious), but I thought I'd post this as I love the imagery this youtube poster put together.

Thanks for letting me rant about who is perhaps my all-time favourite band.

[allenh]

Thanks for sharing, Johnny. I've added them to my Tidal list of artists to sample.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

Just listened to what I guess is their first (self titled) album today on Tidal. I see why you like them so much. Wish I had known about them when they were originally out.

Of course that prompted me to listen to Harmonia with Eno a little bit afterwards. Of course they have nothing to do with each other, but still...