Sunday, September 21, 2025

"Neiges" is my top discovery from 1976. Well, 1977. Actually, 1975 ...

 


Here's a reminder that the Juno Awards have always been cute in a very Canadian way. Again, for those that don't know, the Junos are the northern version of the Grammy Awards, and what makes them special are the strange decisions that occasionally come around.

In my project, I'm always looking ahead one year in terms of accolades (this week's Best Picture winner at the 1977 Oscars, for example, is 1976's Rocky). Well, the Junos don't always work smoothly like that. In 1977 they didn't award a "Best Album" award but a "Best Selling Album" award, and that happened to be "Neiges" by André Gagnon, released in 1975 and obviously a slow burner on the sales front.

My favourite award given out at the '77 Junos, though, was "Most Promising Canadian Artist", awarded to ... Heart? 

Anyway, "Neiges" is fantastic. "Dédéthoven" is a terrific mash-up, Classics on 45, Big Bootie Mix kind of medley. "Ta Samba" would make for an excellent Mario Kart track tune. "Wow" has the feel of an on-the-edge detective whose chief has had it up to here with his lawless shenanigans. And "Neiges" itself is a closing anthem worthy of this journey.

I listened to this single-take recording off an LP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvPCaa7UsdQ

Then I listened a few more times. 

Highly recommended. 

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