Released as a two-LP set in 1980, En Tournée documents Harmonium's tour of the West Coast in 1977. The band performs the entirety of L'Heptade, except for the orchestral prologue, bridges, and epilogue written by Neil Chotem and found on the studio version. This was the band's last tour, and by then the acoustic guitar folk trio featured on Harmonium had grown into a seven-piece progressive rock group. Stripped of their orchestral embellishments, the seven pieces of the concept album appear more powerful and dynamic. Liberties are taken throughout, providing the fan with many new twists and turns, the most obvious being "Le Premier Ciel," gone from 11 to 20 minutes and including a stellar synthesizer solo by Serge Locat. Fully rearranged to fit the new lineup, this work can be elevated to the status of international progressive rock masterpiece. Upon hearing this album, one fully understands why the band members called it quits afterwards, convinced they would be unable to write anything stronger. This album was recorded live by Radio-Canada (the French-speaking Canadian national radio) and released on LP without the consent of all the band members. After some litigation it was taken off the market. This beautiful recording has not been reissued on CD and constitutes the Holy Grail of the Harmonium fan, an item truly worth its collector's edition price.
© François Couture /TiVo