Edito de MontageLisa Déry was born and raised in Montréal, Québec. To some people, the mention of Montréal conjures up images of horse-drawn carriages rattling along dark, snow-covered cobble streets lined with boîtes à chansons - little oases of light and warmth in the frozen, wintry landscape. Inside these uniquely French-Canadian drinking establishments, the patrons - full of joie de vivre and more than a little of the local Fin Du Monde beer - sing their hearts out and tap their feet to the sound of traditional Québécois folk music. To others, it evokes the ambience of a long, hot summer evening spent languorously sipping cool drinks in one of the Parisian-style pavement cafes, the languid sounds of jazz music drifting over from an outdoor concert. To Lisa, Montréal is all of this and much more. It is the magical and mysterious place where she grew up - a place with a vibrant and diverse music scene born of the city's multicultural roots. Growing up in a society with such a potent and varied musical tradition, it is no surprise that Lisa has developed such an eclectic musical style. Lisa has a double identity. She is equally at home in both the Francophone and the Anglophone worlds that exist here. The paradoxical, sometimes uneasy, but almost symbiotic relationship between the two is a fertile source of material for Lisa's songs. She observes the most intimate parts of both societies and these perceptions inevitably influence her song writing. She draws upon her French and Anglo/Irish heritage to write songs that are a unique blend of these disparate musical cultures. A fiddle-filled Celtic background perfectly compliments melodies written in a French style - exuberant and poignant in equal measure. Lisa's love of the French language is also evident in her English lyrics, which have a poetic and graceful quality to them. It is sometimes said that an author cannot write a good book until he has acquired some experience of life. This aphorism may apply equally well to song writing. In Lisa's case however, it is not a problem, as she has no shortage of experiences upon which to draw. Her studies and interest in cinema enhance her storytelling, leaving many of the lyrical aspects of her songs open to interpretation. Her education and experience in the social field provide her with a plethora of sociological observations. Numerous excursions into the world of stage and radio comedy also influence her song writing, giving her lyrics a light-hearted mood - no matter how serious the topic. The essence behind many of Lisa's gorgeous, flowing melodies is her love of Irish and Québec music. Her pure and beautifully clear voice sounds so natural and effortless that it forces the listener to sit back, relax and submerge himself totally in the music. Montage is Lisa's debut album. The characters in her stories are very endearing and you will be left with images and memories of them that will stay with you long after the music has ended. You won't help but feel a pang in your heart when the child in 'Cookies and Milk' decides to continue to believe in Santa Claus simply because she wants to. In the song 'Don't Tell Ryan', you will appreciate why a woman who was in a dysfunctional marriage now feels content with the new man in her life - even though he has an intellectual capacity of a twelve-year-old child. Montage is a skilful blending of Celtic folk, pop and jazz that creates a harmonious, tuneful, and distinctive fusion - all with a Québécois twist. It is a thought-provoking album that can be appreciated on many levels, both for its musical and for its lyrical content. Lire la suite