Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Meilleurs Voeux (Season's Greetings) - Lucien Hetu

It's December the 22nd... And you are longing to be up... North...? The date may be wrong, but the sentiment is the same -- everyone wants a Christmas Made in Canada! To round out my album shares this season, I present to you Meilleurs Voeux (Season's Greetings) (1963) featuring the rollicking organ sounds of Mr. Lucien Hetu, of Montreal, Quebec. Recorded on a Gulbransen Rialto K, Hetu guides us through an upbeat selection of familiar favourites (White Christmas, Skaters Waltz, Let It Snow, Sleigh Ride) with more regional fare like "Nel des pauvres" (translated as "Poor Christmas") and the jolly "Dans l'temps du jour de l'an (That Time of the Year)" - where electric guide and percussion join Hetu's organ.

I've never been big on Christmas organ albums, but this one has a lo-fi charm to it, and is loaded with Quebecois flavour -- just check out that front cover for a visual to go along with the tunes.

I'd like to thank everyone that's visited, sampled an album and told their friends about Hi-Fi Holiday. I'd like to extend a special thank you to those who also commented, shared their stories, thoughts and just said hello. Without those comments it would be a scary thing to do, to simply float these albums out into space without the benefit of knowing someone has made them a part of their Christmas celebrations. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year. I'll see you right here next year!

Regards,

Ryan

Please enjoy: Meilleurs Voeux (Season's Greetings)

16 comments:

  1. Thank-you so much for the wonderful albums this year! I've enjoyed every one of them, and especially the theme, as I'm Canadian!!

    Merry Christmas Ryan!

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  2. Ryan,

    Thanks for the great shares.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Rich

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  3. Thank you Sir, a wonderful showing for Christmas this year! Being from 'The Great White North' myself, these posts brought a big smile to my face, and some wonderful, warm memories! This Quebecois offering has a special verve & delight all its own - thanks again!

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  4. Doesn't have to be Christmas to listen to Christmas carols. Good carols or in musical can be enjoy throughout the year

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  5. Ryan,

    Although it's been three months since you posted this share, I have just gotten around to listen to it.

    I've never really been an Organ music fan of Christmas music like many are, but I must say that I like this more than any other that I've heard!

    Well done and thank you for your share and what you do.

    All the best!

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  6. I believe I still have a copy of this LP in my vinyl collection. It was one of my Dad`s favorite Christmas albums along with Bert Kaempfert`s Christmas Wonderland. Thanks for publishing the cover image - it brings back memories of Christmases Past in Quebec.

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  7. Why no posting after this?

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  8. Hi - I generally post from Oct/Nov to Christmas and then take the rest of the year off. Stay tuned!

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  9. Looks like a great album! Hoping to pick this up this Christmas. Thanks for the recommendation, and looking forward to your posts!

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  10. We played this record every Christmas season when I was growing up. My parents would put it on before we went to church and it would play and play and when we'd get back from church, we'd arrive home to this music.... sweet memories...
    Thank you!!!!!!!!!

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  11. I love organ music sung with Choirs. anything from Kings College, Cambridge (UK) is a real Christmas Music Treat!

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  12. Oh, wow! I've been looking for this album for years -- thanks so much for digitizing it! All I need now is an aluminum tree for the full Christmas spirit ...

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  13. Thanks a million, this brought back very nice memories indeed. I still have the vinyl to this day, although it's been played so much that my attempts to capture the audio via a USB Turntable have been less than satisfactory. To many scratches I guess... Thanks again!

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  14. Thanks and best holiday wishes from me to you!

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