2024-01-10 22:22:53
For nearly 50 years, Claude Meunier dreamed of launching a western musical project. Because it’s never too late, here he arrives with La Famille Denuy. An album should be released in the spring with the participation of Mara Tremblay, Sara Dufour, Simon Proulx and a certain Serge Thériault.
• Read also: Claude Meunier on Serge Thériault: “He found a kind of peace”
In 1976, Claude Meunier and Serge Thériault created the Denuy Brothers. This duo of western musicians, which the comedians performed in their Paul and Paul shows, had recorded two songs: Hello Huguette and It’s Christmas. But the project never got any further.
A great fan of western artists, such as Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, Claude Meunier continued to write songs of his own over the years. “In my head, I always wanted to remake a western band,” he says.
About two years ago, Claude Meunier received a call from guitarist Jean-Sébastien Chouinard. “I know him because our wives are friends,” says Meunier. The Cowboys Fringants were performing at the Dix30 [à Brossard] and Jean-Sébastien accompanied them. He asked me if I wanted to go sing Hello Huguette with them. They had already done it on show. I went there and we had a blast. »
Seasoned musicians
A few months later, Chouinard invited Meunier to his studio. “I brought him a few songs, including a new one that I had just written,” says Meunier. It was a joke. But he asked me if I had any others. »
In a short time, Jean-Sébastien Chouinard contacted other musician friends to start a group. The Denuy Family was born. “It was really him who pushed for this project,” mentions Claude. It’s a very solid western band. Because musicians don’t have common sense. It’s just the singer who is tough! [rires] »
In addition to Meunier and Chouinard, La Famille Denuy includes Jocelyn Tellier (Dumas), Gautier Marinof (2Frères) and Pierre Fortin (Les Cowboys Fringants, Galaxie).
The Denuy Family, with Gautier Marinof, Jean-Sébastien Chouinard, Claude Meunier, Pierre Fortin and Jocelyn Tellier. Courtesy Sophie Doyon
“It’s as if I brought the cake mold and the guys made a wedding cake with it,” says Claude Meunier of his companions. I bring relatively simple songs and they develop them. It’s very family-friendly and above all very funny. […] It’s a bit like a western Trois Accords. »
Distinguished guests
In recent months, the musicians have recorded around ten songs written by Meunier. These pieces are notably called Alone in my grave, Our dog is dead, The cuckold’s yodel et Le shake du bayou. “They are songs that are a little exotic, funny and pleasant to hear. It’s third-degree naivety,” says Meunier.
Simon Proulx, from Trois Accords, offered the song New-nose to the group in addition to lending his voice to another song. Mara Tremblay and Sara Dufour also went to the studio, mentions Claude Meunier.
Serge Thériault sang backing vocals on It’s Christmas et Hello Huguette. “He accepted straight away,” says Claude of his friend. He’s not on the whole album, because he wasn’t in the project at the beginning. This was done in parallel with Little Life. »
Running-in shows
The first album by La Famille Denuy, on the La Tribu label (Les Cowboys Fringants, Robert Charlebois) should be released in the spring. Until then, from January 22 to February 12, the musicians will give four run-in shows at the Salle Claude-Léveillée at Place des Arts.
“I don’t want to do this stressful,” said Claude Meunier. The small room was available – it has a capacity of 128 places –. We’re going to have four short Mondays. There is nothing else at the moment. […] It’s just a run-in to see what this story looks like on show. It’s a serious hobby, without any pretension. »
On stage, the five musicians will wear cowboy shirts and hats. Even if they all gave themselves names (Noël, Jean-Juillet, Doctor, Gaugau and Croco Denuy), the musicians will not really portray characters, explains Meunier.
“We are not creating a theater concept. It’s the rest of us, we’re just kidding. We pretend to be cowboys. I’m going to be Noël Denuy. But he is also known under the name Claude Meunier. I’ll talk between songs. Maybe I’ll speak in Dong or like Timé, I don’t know! »
“The idea is not to redo Little Life or to remake Paul and Paul, indicates Meunier. It’s a sideline. This is a project that is perhaps narrower. Maybe it won’t take as many people, we’ll see. But we think people will like it. »
The Denuy Family – The western tour progressed in run-in will be presented on January 22 and 29, as well as February 5 and 12, at Salle Claude-Léveillée, in Montreal. For information: placedesarts.com.
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