Vishten

Comments (0) By Rick Mason Wednesday, Mar 14 2012

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The Cedar Cultural Center

416 Cedar Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Minneapolis (Downtown)

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When the aching fiddle and guitar of the Canadian trio Vishtèn ease into the traditional tune "Joli Coeur," it sounds like maybe something out of the Appalachians. Then when things get a bit more sprightly, with an Irish whistle chiming in and step-dancer rhythms clattering away, the tune's Celtic connections are revealed. But when Pascal Miousse starts wailing in French while his fiddle soars, it becomes abundantly clear that Vishtèn plays Acadian music, so closely tied to its Cajun cousins down Louisiana way that it's impossible not to think of the Cajun national anthem, "Jolie Blonde." Vishtèn hails from Canada's Maritimes. Miousse is from Quebec's Magdalen Islands. Twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc are from Prince Edward Island. French Acadian roots are still strong there, but so are Irish and Scots influences, all of which show up in Vishtèn's glorious sound, which has just enough contemporary zest to send the roots into a terrific spin. The driving rhythms come from the LeBlancs' feet (and Emanuelle's bodhran), while Pastelle's accordion solidifies the crawfish connection. The group's three-part vocal harmonies, meanwhile, add the final taste of French silk.
Sun., March 18, 7 p.m., 2012