Valence – and other delicious French destinations you’ve probably never heard of

From the outside, France presently appears a country in crisis. On the inside, the French are eating. Simple as that. Irritations come and go, but it is the mark of a great nation to pursue its destiny regardless. In France this includes perfecting roast pigeon, finding precisely the right marriage for a Crozes-Hermitage 2011 – and, just the other week, throwing themselves bodily into the sixth national Festival of Gastronomy. Countrywide, le peuple is celebrating itself, its produce, its cooking and its ability to dine as if dining were a virtue (MORE) Valence – and other delicious French destinations you’ve probably never heard of

Chanson Du Jour – 10/11/2016

Bertrand Belin with Feu! Chatterton: “O Marie!”

I hadn’t revisited Daniel Lanois’ 1989 “Acadie” in quite some time, so I was pleased to run across this live clip of Lanois’ O Marie performed by Bertand Belin and Feu! Chatterton.

Lanois, a French Canadian living in New Orleans, is best known as a record producer (Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, U2, Emmylou Harris.) His debut solo album “Acadie” had a handful of terrific songs, some sung in French like Jolie Louise and O Marie.

Bertand Belin (a new favorite) has the perfect voice for Lanois’ cozy Québécois/cajun ambience, while the guy who leads the band Feu! Chatterton adds an excellent mustache.