"My fear is that now music is everywhere with platforms and magic is lost!"

Guy Bélanger: Voyages & Other Stories

Quebec’s popular harmonica player/songwriter Guy Bélanger presents VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES (2023), his seventh solo album. The album contains elements of blues as well as subtle touches of funk and folk, complemented by majestic and cinematic instrumental compositions. A professional musician for nearly 50 years, Bélanger is a multiple Maple Blues Award winner for Harmonica Player of the Year, and the 2017 Instrumental Album of the Year at ADISQ, and has toured with artists such as Bob Walsh, acoustic folk-blues master Doug McLeod, Céline Dion and others. VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES continues the momentum of Bélanger’s previous albums with this skillful assembled collection of original tracks along with a few judiciously chosen covers, including “I Can't Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt and the brilliant “Do I Move You” by Nina Simone, a piece recorded in collaboration with singer Sylvie Desgroseilliers.

(Photo: Quebec’s popular harmonica player/songwriter Guy Bélanger)

With a storied career that has spanned more than four decades, Belanger has worked with some of Quebec’s biggest names in music and entertainment including, among others, Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil, and Bob Walsh. He is a two-time Maple Blues Award winner and since 2003 has won 14 Lys Blues awards. The new album features a strong ensemble of supporting musicians including Rob MacDonald (guitar), Marc-André Drouin (bass), Alec McElcheran (bass and vocals), Michel Dufour (drums), Bruce Cameron (keyboards) and Claude Fradette (guitars) not to mention an exceptional collaboration with the great Nanette Workman. VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES reflects on the search for lost riches and precious moments. It invites you to take a journey into the unique and magnificent universe of Guy Bélanger. “This seventh release is a journey through the music that I love, and that inspires me”, says Bélanger. “My harmonica will always be my best passport, the common thread.” 

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues (and people of) influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I had the pleasure to play with a lot of great bluesmen throughout the years (Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Jimmy Johnson etc.). and they all have in common their kindness with people who speak the truth with them…That’s the way I see things too…

What touched (emotionally) you from the sound of harmonica? How do you describe your sound and songbook?

With the years I developed my style & sound. Take a lot of years to make one with the harmonica. My musicality comes from a lot of different experiences (score for TV & Cinema) and a lots & lots of gigs!! My compositions are a hybrid of blues, folk, jazz & world music.

"Knowing how to combine musical technique and inspiration (soul) is a fine line. Miles Davis famously said, "it's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play". I think I've learned over the years not to overplay, but to place my "silences" in the solo parts. The harmonica can become an annoying instrument, and your worst enemy..." (Guy Bélanger / Photo by Le Pixel Fou)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

Of course, over the years (I started playing the harmonica in the mid-70s), the various musical experiences I've had have made me a more thoughtful musician, but I've always kept the main idea in mind: the pleasure of playing!

Having participated in various projects (tours, opening acts for Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton, B.B. King, Long John Baldry, Dutch Mason), in the studio with Jimmy Johnson, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, Studebaker John, Steve Strongman or collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, Céline Dion etc. and various soundtracks for movies & T.V., the common thread was always to understand what was expected of me, to blend into the project, to shine at the right moment while respecting the artist and his music. This has served me well in my personal creations and studio work for my 9 albums.

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES!!!)

Initially VOYAGES &...was a liberating response during and after a period of enforced confinement. My small home studio served me well, and this album was developed remotely with my musicians.

The pleasure of recomposing and reassembling a project (I had just released ELDORADO at the end of 2019!!!) took over. I love getting involved in all the creative stages (compositions, arrangements, CD cover design and the wonderful long hours in the studio (mixing & mastering)! This episode of Covid served me well to arrive in the studio extremely prepared ha!ha!

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

Knowing how to combine musical technique and inspiration (soul) is a fine line. Miles Davis famously said, "it's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play". I think I've learned over the years not to overplay, but to place my "silences" in the solo parts. The harmonica can become an annoying instrument, and your worst enemy ha!ha!

Respecting the essence of what has inhabited you since your beginnings and led you to write your own music, must always be present.   (Photo: Guy Bélanger & France D'Amour, 2019)

"The blues is still very much alive and kicking (accomplished artists, new talents, international distribution, dedicated blues websites, magazines and festivals). Even today, it can be found in a variety of forms (soul, funk, folk, rock, country, spoken words). Just listen to Eric Bibb, Marcus King, Larkin Poe, Steve Hill, Dawn Tyler Watson, Paul Deslauriers & Annika Chambers, Angel Forrest, Monkeyjunk, Gary Clark jr. etc. to find out! In Canada, Spencer Mackenzie, Liam Dochery, Matt Gibb, Angelique Francis, Adam Karch have enormous potential to attract a new clientele and keep the blues alive..."

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

My session with the legendary Jimmy Johnson at the Delmark studios in Chicago with Studebaker John on guitar, Felton Crews on bass and Kenny «Beedy eyes» Smith on drums! I laughed my heart out! Naturally, playing with Celine Dion for 17 concerts in front of 20,000 people each and every night is something!!

Are there any memories with Cirque du Soleil which you’d like to share with us?

In 4 decades and more, you collect a lot of tour memories (and it's nice to have forgotten some too ha!ha!) I've had several experiences with Cirque du Soleil (Wintuk, La Nouba, Viva Elvis) but the craziest is a show in Dubai with 5 days of rehearsals under a blazing sun for a 10-minute number dressed as "Prince of the Desert »!!!!

Do you think there is an audience for Blues/ Folk music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

The blues is still very much alive and kicking (accomplished artists, new talents, international distribution, dedicated blues websites, magazines and festivals). Even today, it can be found in a variety of forms (soul, funk, folk, rock, country, spoken words). Just listen to Eric Bibb, Marcus King, Larkin Poe, Steve Hill, Dawn Tyler Watson, Paul Deslauriers & Annika Chambers, Angel Forrest, Monkeyjunk, Gary Clark jr. etc. to find out!

In Canada, Spencer Mackenzie, Liam Dochery, Matt Gibb, Angelique Francis, Adam Karch have enormous potential to attract a new clientele and keep the blues alive.....

"I had the pleasure to play with a lot of great bluesmen throughout the years (Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Jimmy Johnson etc.). and they all have in common their kindness with people who speak the truth with them…That’s the way I see things too…"

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I do not look too much behind but the pleasure of seeing a concert or the excitement of opening a new album was quite an event ... My fear is that now music is everywhere with platforms and magic is lost!

Make an account of the case of the blues in Canada. Which is the most interesting period in local blues scene?

It is now! The blues are alive and well in Canada and the province of Quebec offers magnificent Blues festivals!

What is the impact of Blues and music general on the racial and socio-cultural implications?

I’m a white guy, I was born this way ha!ha! But on my latest CD “ELDORADO” I wrote: Can we give ourselves the right to appropriate a music and it's roots, whatever our origin? After spending the last 45 years of my life serving the blues to the best of my ability, I find myself imagining Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker, Big Mamma Thornton, James Cotton, Big Moose Walker etc.,visiting me to say: "You've paid your dues to play the blues." Hummin’ is my tribute to the blues!

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in music paths?

To be truthful, honest, generous, to be a partner and know your skills!!

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?                          (Photo: Guy Bélanger)

Sure, the encounter with all these great bluesmen, but i had the pleasure to tour with Cirque du Soleil and Céline Dion and it is a memorable experience!! and I think, for the best advices, I will quote Miles Davis:

“If you don't know what to play, play nothing.”

“Don't play what's there; play what's not there.”

“you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.”

“When you’re creating your own shit, man, even the sky ain’t the limit.”

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really want to go for a whole day?

Ho boy!! Let’s start: Jammin’ with Jeff Beck at the Ronnie Scott’s Club in London,

Playing Hoochie Coochie Man with Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter,

Putting some harmonica on all Ry Cooder’s music,

Havin’ a scotch with Keith Richards in a pub in Dublin and jammin’ …and have been in all the concert halls where there have been terrorist attacks and have been able to prevent them …

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