1978
Y’A BEN DU CHANGEMENT
La Bottine Souriante’s debut album features a vast repertoire of traditional songs—most of them from the Cantin family—and instrumental pieces from the cultural heritage of the Lanaudière region, in Quebec. The recording was a resounding success from the moment it was released. Several of its tracks are still a part of La Bottine’s current repertoire, such as “En l’an 2033,” “Sur la grand’côte” and “Trinque l’amourette.” Y’a ben du changement captures the simplicity, vitality and joie de vivre of the band’s live performances. The first incarnation of La Bottine Souriante consisted of Gilles Cantin (guitar, foot tapping, vocals), Mario Forest (harmonica, vocals), Yves Lambert (accordion, harmonica, vocals), Pierre Laporte (violin), and André Marchand (guitar, vocals).
GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
1981
LES ÉPOUSAILLES
La Bottine Souriante’s sophomore release follows the same course as its predecessor. The arrival of Martin Racine and Guy Bouchard infuses new energy into the group, despite Mario Forest’s departure. The repertoire ranges from Louis Pitou Boudreau (“La belle Catherine”) to Oscar Thiffault (“La confession d'un moribond”) and includes the gem “Les p'tits plaisirs de Basile.”
GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
1983
CHIC & SWELL
A Celtic-inspired album, Chic & Swell features artful arrangements, intricate vocal interplay, and an a cappella tune that became a smash hit, “Ziguezon.” The flute adds a new colour to La Bottine’s traditional sound.
1986
LA TRAVERSÉE DE L’ATLANTIQUE
This release celebrates La Bottine Souriante’s 10th anniversary. It features reels, waltzes, jigs, and call-and-response songs. La Traversée de l'Atlantique builds a bridge between Quebec and Europe. La belle province’s musical heritage meets traditional songs from France as well as the music of Ireland, England, and Scotland.
1987
TOUT COMME AU JOUR DE L’AN
Tout comme au jour de l'an was produced with a bunch of friends outside of a studio, in order to recreate the typical atmosphere of a festive night filled with reels, call-and-response songs, and good humour. The first part of the album features holiday songs, and the second part offers instrumental pieces. An invitation to celebrate and be merry!
PLATINUM-CERTIFIED ALBUM
1988
Je VOUDRAIS CHANGER D’CHAPEAU
Notes of jazz are heard on certain pieces from this album, which represents a turning point in La Bottine Souriante’s musical history. Thanks to the contribution of a few new recruits—jazzman Denis Fréchette, double bassist Régent Archambault, and multi-instrumentalist and singer Michel Bordeleau—the band explores new sounds that are uncommon in traditional music. The album’s arrangements also feature guest horn players, marking another first for the group.
1991
JUSQU’AUX P’tiTES HEURES
With this album, the Joliette-based band sets sail for a new musical destination. The story of this album is that of an alchemy outside of time, involving the members of La Bottine and a horn quartet. A concept show led to the group’s encounter with the horns, and fortunately, they continue to collaborate to this day, with a sense of enjoyment and camaraderie that never fades. With extraordinary energy, the new ensemble explores various musical styles, pushing the musical envelope even further while remaining true to the spirit and approach of traditional music, founded on pulse and rhythm. This album is typical of La Bottine’s current sound: dynamic rhythms resulting from a combination of traditional music, salsa, and jazz.
PLATINUM-CERTIFIED ALBUM
1994
LA MISTRINE
Bold, inventive, and musically mature, La Mistrine definitively established La Bottine Souriante on the world music circuit. Medieval-inspired traditional music fuses with jazz and with Latin and African grooves on this captivating album. Energetic rhythms and a dynamic instrumentation, including a horn section, invite listeners to tap their feet, particularly on “Le Rap à Ti-Pétang” and “Le Reel des soucoupes volantes.”
PLATINUM-CERTIFIED ALBUM
1996
EN SPECTACLE
Recorded before a live audience, La Bottine Souriante’s 9th album celebrates the band’s 20-year influence on Quebec culture. This explosive cocktail of sounds allows listeners to experience the energy of the group’s shows. It includes many pieces from its repertoire: lively reels, spicy melodies, and racy lyrics straight from La Bottine’s canon of recorded works, served up with fresh new arrangements courtesy of Jean Fréchette. Three new tracks are added to this 1976-1996 retrospective: “À travers la vitre,” “Galope et Quadrille,” and a saucy little number titled “Bidoulidou.”
GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
1998
X Ième
Xième is an explosion of surprising sounds, where Quebec’s traditional songs and reels collide with exotic flavours. The album features various influences and guest musicians the group encountered while travelling, including Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera and Finnish violinist Arto Järvelä, who appear on the tracks “Arin Québec” and “Alice au pays d'Arto.” Known and acclaimed for inventively mixing rhythms and genres, La Bottine Souriante exceeds all expectations with this album. Outside of Canada, its title is Rock & Reel.
GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
2001
CORDIAL
La Bottine Souriante’s 11th album, released on the 25th year of the band’s career, marvellously recreates the dynamic energy of its live performances. The album’s 16 tracks invigorate the listener like a powerful tonic. In fact, its title, Cordial, is inspired by the instant, euphoric effect the music produces. Its eclectic arrangements and vocal harmonies confirm the band’s importance on the world music stage.
2001
ANTHOLOGIE
This musical anthology celebrates the 25th anniversary of La Bottine Souriante’s career. Each track was carefully selected among the 121 or so that the band recorded since its inception. The album also features two songs that were previously unreleased, but performed live by La Bottine on several occasions. Anthologie is a collection of the group’s most significant works to date—the songs that best illustrate some of the turning points in its career. A condensed trip that invites the listener to discover (or rediscover) the various influences and incarnations that have marked La Bottine Souriante’s evolution.
GOLD-CERTIFIED ALBUM
2003
J’AI JAMAIS TANT RI
J'ai jamais tant ri transports the listener to a dizzying celebration of high-spirited rhythms and contagiously good vibes. The album marks a new beginning for La Bottine Souriante, whose musicians rightfully deserve praise for their strong desire to innovate, as can be felt right down to the tips of their bows and the bells of their horns. Add standout arrangements and voices that come together in perfect unison, and you get a 12th album with a whole lot of character.
2005
ANTHOLOGIE II
This album is a tribute to all the singers that have made La Bottine Souriante what it is today.
2011
APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE
La Bottine Souriante celebrates its 35th anniversary with this recording. A fine blend of tradition and modernity, Appellation d’origine contrôlée is an album to be enjoyed without moderation! Call-and-response songs, danceable tunes, humour, and romance are wrapped in the sounds of jazz, funk, and world music, for a result that’s quintessentially La Bottine! Basque duo Oreka TX are noted guests.
2023
DOMINO!
The legendary group La Bottine Souriante presented their new album Domino! on November 17th, 2023.
It's a long-awaited return after the release of their last album "Appellation d'origine contrôlée" in 2011, but for the past 12 years, they have been active on the scene, presenting hundreds of shows across the globe.
Domino! is available in stores and on streaming platforms.