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The digital home of music journalist Nicholas Jennings, author of Lightfoot, the bestselling biography of Gordon Lightfoot. Includes a searchable database of current and archived work, including thousands of record reviews and feature articles.

Feature Article: The joie de vivre of La Bottine Souriante

The name of the Quebec group means "smiling boot," with the "smile" created by the flapping sole of a well-worn boot. And in La Bottine Souriante's native province, at least, it certainly fits. Over the course of 23 years, the group's members have worn out many pairs of boots and shoes -- both their own and those of their audience -- playing a happy, highly danceable blend of French-Canadian, Cajun and Celtic sounds. Now, with an international recording deal on the Virgin Music label, La Bottine Souriante is set to begin ruining footwear the world over. "We're a party band," singer-accordionist Yves Lambert says proudly after a boisterous show in a large Toronto beer hall that had many in th...

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