Laîs - Douce Victime (2004)

Laïs is a Belgian group that creates folk, and world music consisting of polyphonic close harmony songs, occasionally a cappella, based on self-composed melodies with lyrics dating back to the Middle Ages. "Laïs" is a Celtic word, meaning "voice".

History

Laïs' career started in 1994, when Jorunn and Annelies, together with Soetkin Collier (who later became a vocalist with the Belgian folk music group Urban Trad), performed a song at a folk festival in Gooik, near Brussels. Nathalie joined the group somewhat later. They had their breakthrough after their appearance at Folk Dranouter, near Ypres, in 1996.

Their debut CD album, sung a capella as well as accompanied instrumentally by the folk rock band Kadril, was released in 1998. They performed at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn, South Africa (1996), at Vorst Nationaal, Belgium (1998), Canada, France (1999) (as a supporting act for Sting), Spain (1999, 2000), the Netherlands and China (2001). During the summer of 2000 they performed at important festivals in Belgium such as Pinkpop and Rock Werchter. In 2001 they made a much acclaimed return to the festival at Dranouter.

In 2003 they made a mini tour along Flemish churches and chapels, singing a capella with the vocal support of Ludo Vandeau. This resulted in the CD "A la capella".

In April 2004 they released their third CD to the market under the title Douce Victime, with covers from Jacques Brel and Herman van Veen. This time it not only contained a capella songs but also Cajun music, the London Chamber Orchestra and some World Music influences. It was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Members

The female vocal trio part of Laïs are three young women from Kalmthout:

    Jorunn Bauweraerts
    Annelies Brosens
    Nathalie Delcroix

They are accompanied by four men:

    Fritz Sundermann (electric and acoustic instruments, harmonium)
    Hans Quaghebeur (squeezeboxes, hurdy-gurdy, whistle)
    Ronny Reuman (percussion)
    Bart Denolf (electric and acoustic bass)
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01. Marie Madeleine                                  02:53
02. Rinaldo                                          03:25
03. Jasio u pana                                     02:41
04. Wanhoop van een wees                             03:38
05. De klacht van een verstoten minnares             04:30
06. Opzij                                            03:05
07. Marieke                                          02:59
08. La plus belle de céans                           03:36
09. Al béole 17                                      04:07
10. De 3 maagdekens                                  02:34
11. Dormez dormez                                    03:07
12. Hymne                                            01:34

Total Playing Time 38:14

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First posted on B H&H by Val