Catherine

Guestpost! Natasha-la-la went fishing for unknown filles online, and caught budding Quebecois singer and pianoplayer Catherine Major.

Besides her undeniable talent as a pianist and singer-songwriter, she has had a very straight and narrow ascent into the music world, dominated by winning tons of prestigious awards and warm media acclaim. And she’s just 26.
Once you’ve proved yourself in your own neck of the woods, it’s time to cross the Atlantic and see what French-speaking Europe thinks of you, the ultimate test for any French Canadian artist. In 2004, Catherine received a prestigious award in France for her first and only album so far Par-dessus bord, which won the Coup de cœur of the Académie Charles Cros. In 2006, she won an award for best singer-songwriter at the Swiss festival Pully à l’heure du Québec. I’d say she on the right track.
She has much passion, sensitivity and emotion. She is a brilliant piano player and a delightful lyricist. I liked her right away. I liked here because she seems and sounds very authentic and not a glossy music business product or just another pretty face. A bit of jazz here, some latin, some African, she plays it all. Her singing on Le ciel gris vaguely reminds me of French singer Belle du Berry of Paris Combo, although it is much more dramatic. Her other songs tell stories and make me wonder what it would be like to hear live.
She has often been the supporting act of another popular singer-songwriter and pianist Richard Desjardins, who made it in Europe a long time ago. Desjardins apparently once told her over a drink that her homework was to listen to all of Bob Dylan, all of Leonard Cohen and all of Léo Ferré. She told him that in order to open for him properly she had to listen to his music first since shopping for his music was what she had been doing that day. Smart girl.

Catherine Major - Le Ciel Gris
Catherine Major - Par-Dessus Bord