Blais, Jacques - Thèmes

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Le Theme	06:46
	2	Sept Quatre	03:13
	3	Le Matin	04:48
	4	Ascencoeur	05:27

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Vrai ou fou	04:08
	2	T'as des nuages	03:26
	3	Bord en bar	03:49
	4	Finale du Theme	02:44

Photos

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Information/Write-up

Jacques Blais' 1975 debut album, Thèmes, stands as a testament to the vibrant Quebec progressive rock scene of the mid-1970s. Self-taught from the age of 13, Blais quickly established himself as a formidable guitarist, performing with various local bands and sharing stages with notable groups like Octobre and Maneige. His collaboration with members of Contraction, including bassist and producer Yves Laferrière, culminated in the creation of Thèmes.

The album seamlessly blends progressive rock with funk elements, showcasing Blais' emotive and blues-infused guitar style. Instrumental tracks shine with their intricate melodies and arrangements, while vocal contributions from Christiane Robichaud add depth to the compositions. The musicianship of the supporting band, featuring Robert Lachapelle on piano and Solina, and Richard Perrotte on drums and percussion, complements Blais' guitar work, creating a cohesive and dynamic sound.

Upon its release, Thèmes received significant local acclaim, with tracks like "Sept Quatre" gaining airplay on stations such as CHOM and CKVL. The album was recognized as the "Experimental Album of the Year" by local media, highlighting its innovative approach within the genre. Blais' subsequent live performances, including appearances at L’Évêché, Hôtel Nelson, and the St-Jean-Baptiste celebrations on Mont-Royal, solidified his reputation as a leading figure in Quebec's progressive rock movement.

The album’s legacy was revived with a 2008 CD reissue by ProgQuebec and Japan’s Belle Antique, both remastered at Studio Karisma in Quebec. These editions helped introduce Thèmes to a new audience, reaffirming its place as a lost gem of Quebec’s golden age of progressive rock. ProgQuebec, through its non-profit initiative Musique ProgresSon, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Quebec's musical heritage. To support their mission and access exclusive reissues, visit www.progquebec.com and become a member. While Thèmes may not have received widespread international recognition at the time, it remains a crucial document of the era, capturing the creative spirit and musical innovation that defined 1970s Quebec prog.
-Robert Williston

Jacques René Blais: A Brief Biography
Born in Montreal, Jacques Blais taught himself guitar at age 13 and began playing in bands by the late 1960s while still a teenager.

In the early 1970s, he was a member of the group Performance. By mid-1973, he formed an acoustic duo with Normand Martin, performing a repertoire that included Robert Charlebois’ California, featuring extended improvised guitar solos. Between June and August, they played regularly at L’Imprévu (Hôtel Iroquois), where Blais quickly earned a reputation as one of Quebec’s most innovative guitarists, known for his vocal-like phrasing on guitar.

In October 1973, Blais and Martin shared the stage with Octobre and Maneige at CEGEP de Maisonneuve, and in November, Donald Lautrec invited them to perform live on Les Beaux Dimanches—all before Blais had even released an album.

In 1974, Blais joined a band with Georges Thurston (Boule Noire) on rhythm guitar, Bob Turmel (Claude Dubois) on bass, and Stan Deguire (Garolou) on drums. Inspired by Contraction (1972), Blais approached Yves Laferrière to produce his debut album. Recorded in late 1974 following the release of La Bourse ou la Vie by Contraction, Thèmes blended progressive rock with funk influences, driven by Blais’ powerful guitar riffs.

Released in March 1975, Thèmes was performed live with members of Contraction at L’Évêché, Hôtel Nelson, and during the St-Jean-Baptiste celebrations on Mont-Royal in June. Sept Quatre received heavy airplay on CHOM and CKVL, and the album was named Experimental Album of the Year by local media. In August, Blais performed before 7,000 spectators at the Chant’Août festival in Quebec City, alongside Offenbach, Pagliaro, and Aut’Chose.

By mid-1976, Blais formed the duo Fantasia with American guitarist Jessie Otten. Their success at Le Grand Salon du Domaine in Mascouche led to an invitation from Donald Tarlton to open for April Wine at Place des Arts. Later, Mick Jagger attended a private performance by Blais in Montreal for his 33rd birthday and reportedly remarked:
"It’s only guitar, but I like it!"

In January 1977, Daniel Barbe (ex-Eclipse) joined the group. By December 1977, Blais, Coutu, Barbe, and Holden released Jacques Blais & Fantasia, produced by Michel Normandeau (Harmonium). The album took a jazzier direction and found greater commercial success.

Jacques Blais: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals on Bord en bar
Yves Laferrière: bass, Solina
Christiane Robichaud: chorus (third movement of Thème), backing vocals on Bord en bar
Robert Lachapelle: piano, Solina
Richard Perrotte: drums, percussion
Jean-Jacques Robichaud: flute on Le matin
Jules Perrotte: console, suggestions

Produced by Yves Laferrière
Engineered by Jules Perrotte
Recorded at RCA Studios, Montréal, Québec, 1974

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