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Review Summary: Somehow this album represents the continuation of the debut album of Pollen. Still less good, it maintains the main features of Pollen’s music. “Jacques Tom Rivest” is the eponymous debut and only album of the Canadian progressive rock musician of the 70’s and was released in 1979. The line up on the album is Jacques Tom Rivest, Richard Lemoyne, Claude Lemay, Daniel Mathieu and Serge Courchesne.
Jacques Tom Rivest had the distinction of being one of the founding members of one of the Quebec’s most critically acclaimed progressive rock bands from the 70’s, Pollen, unfortunately almost a forgotten group. Pollen was formed in 1972 by Jacques Tom Rivest and Richard Lemoyne and in the following year they were joined by Serge Courchesne, who suggested they could recruit two keyboardists, Claude “Mego” Lemay and Serge Locat to complete the group. However, it was too late for Locat as he had committed to join Harmonium, another Québecois group, one of the best French Canadian groups indeed. So, the group pursued its destiny with only four musicians, all of them with big skills.
Despite their almost anonymity, Pollen was one of Québec’s biggest progressive acts in the mid 70’s, with Harmonium and Maneige. Their music is more purely rooted in the symphonic genre than their countrymen, whose music is more folk-oriented, Harmonium and more fusion, Maneige. The influence of major progressive acts are evident, like Gentle Giant, Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer but the main influences are from Genesis. We can also see influences from French progressive groups like Ange and of many Italian groups of the time, especially early Premiata Forneria Marconi.
While Pollen would only issue one album, their self titled debut album, the group carved out quite a loyal local following in a relatively short period of time. Pollen had the honour of touring the province with some of the best British progressive acts such as Gentle Giant two years before releasing their debut and co-headlining with Caravan once that album was out. But the group split-up towards the end of 1976. They were times of changing in the music industry. So, it would be passed three years, before Rivest would be heard from again when he released his self titled debut album.
In reality, for some reasons Pollen never was able to release a second studio album. So, in 1979 the story continued with the release of this solo album of Rivest, especially because some of the songs had already been written for what would be the second Pollen’s album. This album reunited Rivest with his ex-Pollen band mates, even with the original drummer Serge Courchesne who quit the group on the eve of the Gentle Giant tour back in 1974. So, many tracks on this album are somehow reminiscent of the group, even if they have been re-arranged by Tom Rivest for his own use.
While the music on this album has flashes of instrumental fireworks, don’t expect it to sound exactly like “Pollen”. The sound leans more towards folk but plenty of progressive influences remain on it. Despite its closer to the folkier side of Pollen, without forgetting about the more orchestral/symphonic side of the band, the focus here are on acoustic guitars, flute and keyboards instead of a more pronounced electric environment. Some of the material here is more mainstream, but the acoustic instrumentation, as well as the double keyboard lines and singing, reminiscent of Pollen, can be found on many of the tracks on the album. The songs are also generally more commercial as well. Rivest’s soothing and tender voice guides the listener through this fine collection of material. I’d have to say that the highlight for me is the Eastern flavoured “Voyage Au Tibet” with its full and rich sound, clocking in at over 7 minutes. However there are plenty of other grand orchestral moments on this album. Tracks like “La Language De Son Pays”, “Toujours Plus Haut” and “La Nuit” are also great tracks that sound very close to Pollen’s original release. Over all, this is yet another solid re-issue from the progressive Québec people and one worthy of adding to your collection if you are wondering why the 70’s was a magical time for this kind of music in Québec. In addition, the album is now augmented by a bonus track, the last track, “Prendre Son Temps”, taken from a single released about the same time as the original album’s release.
Conclusion: Still the self titled debut album of Rivest be not properly the second album of Pollen, it has the main ingredients of an album of the group. Rivest was the leader of the group and this solo album finds most of Pollen helping out, only with a different bassist and the original drummer of Pollen, incidentally. The tracks are less obviously progressive, and at times are more folky or more rock. However Lemay is still in fine form on keyboards and his playing highlights four or five different tracks. Rivest was a talented composer and despite a mellow sound and short length of the tracks the arrangements are full of beautiful melodies and serene atmospheres. If you are hoping for something exactly like “Pollen”, this isn’t it. But this is, in essence, the second Pollen’s album. Essentially, it merely reflects the time it was released, 1979, as the band tries to remain current while still having some fine progressive moments on it.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 3.5
It's now time to close what I call the trilogy of French albums, it means, albums with French lyrics. I bought "La Clef des Songes" and "Pollen" some years ago. I listened to "La Clef Des Songes" soon I bought it, but I only listened to "Pollen" more recently. I must say that I was deeply impressed by both albums. Although I knew the existence of the solo album of Rivest for some time but I only bought it later and I only listen to it, recently, when I decided to review the three albums at the same time. Sincerelly, I never was to much interested on it because I always thought it would be probably a minor work. Fortunately, I was deeply wrong. It's true it isn't so progressive and as good as the debut album, but it has its merits and the main caracteristics of the original album are present on it.
So, I hope you enjoy it too, as it happened to me.
I count with your comments as usual.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
@ Jethro
Another album of your country. This time it will not be such a great surprise, I think, as happened with the original album of Pollen. However, I think it's fair to complete the work about Pollen. Anyway, you'll see that it deserves that you can expend some of your extra time checking it too.
Cheers, dude.
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Very interesting. I just found the Pollen review last night. Now I'm going to have to go back and read the first review. These are artists and this is a scene I know nothing about.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Try also Pentacle's album. These are really French. I added the band on Sputnik and they're also a forgotten band. They are pretty similar to Pollen, with some different nuances, of course.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Nice, another forgotten album, I see. It seems to be interesting. As for the other album and for what you wrote it seems to be interesting too. I'm going to check it up. Meanwhile nice review too. Have a pos.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks, man. Do it and tell me what you think and if I'm right. I think you will not regret for spend your precious time for nothing.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I just found a stream for that album.
https://www.musicme.com/#/Jacques-Tom-Rivest/
The only problem is when you're halfway through, they ask to download the site in order to listen to the rest. Just don't do it. Instead, click on the ''videos'' at the left of your screen.
I will read your review later in the day, bro. I listened to the album only once. Gonna give you my impressions later.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Great Captain. If you like it I advise you to listen to the eponymous debut album of Pollen. It's even better. Check also "La Clef Des Songes" of Pentacle. Somehow, they're all linked.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Ok, Jethro. I'll wait for your impressions.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
On youtube, the songs are all on reverse. The first is the last, etc... ;(
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Finally, I haven't had enough time to relisten to the album. I can already tell it's a great album, and Rivest had a lot to tell. A singer/songwriter kind of stuff. Mostly acoustic and light, for an easy listen. Bass is prominent and I love the use of mellotron. I wish he'd have used it more. I have some favorites, but I'm not sure which is which. Gonna give a proper listen to it tomorrow, and I still have to read your review too ;)
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah, it's a great album, indeed. Bass is prominent and the use of mellotron is also great, reminiscences of the original debut album of Pollen. Don't forget that basically it's the same team commanded by the hand of Rivest, the leader of the band.
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lol, I can hardly keep up. Still digesting the last one... From the change in cover art style, it looks like they are switching from a more spacey prog to a more general 70s folky rock... Checking it out now.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
There are clearly leftovers from the debut album, but it sounds almost like acoustic demos compared to the busy symphonic debut. Folk rock is prominent on here, tinged with prog flavours mainly in the clever instrumental arrangements found in many songs. Everything is (too?) lite and accessible.
My personal favorite is ''La Nuit''. I also love ''Clown d'un Soir'' and many bits and pieces of many other tracks such as the arrangements of ''La Langue de Son Pays''. Like I said, the mellotron, organ, piano and bass are well utilized to give a prog vibe here and there and Jacques is mastering the guitars. Drums sound almost like a drum machine though. Overall, it's a singer songwriter kind of music, so everything is kind of simplified to give more room to the singer and his guitar.
Great review, bro.
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Those first few songs lead me to believe this was not for me, but once it gets going it's pretty good--nothing like the first album tho.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
@ Twig
Yeah, this is what I said. This is a different album, more acoustic, folk and less prog. However, and as I said too, many of the main caracteristics are still on the album, especially because there are clearly leftovers from the debut album, as Jethro also confirmed, and also due to the use of almost the same line up. This is a very beautiful album with nice and enjoyable moments, very calm and melodic. In my point of view, a very interesting and surprinsigly album.
In short, Pollen was able to create an excellent musical project, unfortunatelly with a very short live. Anyway, this is nothing new. The short live of many great musical projects was very common in those days.
Cheers, man. I hope you enjoy it too.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
@ Jethro
Yeah, there are clearly leftovers on this album and the sound is a little bit distinctive from the other. More acoustic, folk and we can say also more commercial, instead of the symphonic sound of the debut.
As you said I also agree with the excellent musical arrangements on the album. The keyboard work is also great in some parts of the album, perhaps on the leftover tracks. As I wrote on my review, Lemay remains in a great shape.
My favourite track continue to be “Voyage Au Tibet” with its full and rich prog sound despite the great quality of the rest of the album. All in all, I think we are in presence of a compact and homogeneus album, in terms of quality.
In short, it remains for me an excellent album made in a very difficult time, especially for a symphonic prog rock band. We mustn't forget that we were in 1979, a terrible time for the prog rock.
Thanks, budy and congratulations. Another great band from your country.
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I enjoyed "the French trilogy of albums" a lot. I'm sorry to see it come to an end. I do love a prog band that features keyboards, and the first two in the series are outstanding examples. Thanks!
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
You're welcome dude. Like you, I also love bands with keyboards, especially in the case of prog. I'm a little bit different from the most of the music fans. In general, the favourite instrument of them is the electric guitar. Of course I love the sound of a guitar, electric or acoustic, as with the other instruments, particularly the bass. However, I always had a very special feel for keyboards. I don't know why. So, I love listen to albums with a great keybord work, especially the mellotron sound. When I listen an album with great mellotron work, like the first two albums of King Crimson or, why not, the second album of my compatriots Quarteto 1111, I feel I'm in heaven, whatever it means. So, it seems we a have another common passion.
Cheers, buddy.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah, I'm a keyboard freak me too. Most of the time, keyboards are in the forefront of every vintage prog bands of the 70s, and of course symphonic prog bands in general, even surpassing the guitar into the mix. Keyboards are often used to reproduce orchestral sounding, and it adds something warm to the overall sound. Mellotrons and organ are important in that matter.
@Twig and e21, I invite you to try another symphonic prog band from Québec, Morse Code - La Marche des Hommes (1975) for an extra French album. I know I repeat myself about that album, but it's worth a serious listen and who knows, you could cover it, e21. And I join Twig to thank you for your French trilogy. I'm sincerely touched and affected about it.
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