Review: Les Hay Babies “Tintamarre” Release @ La Sala Rossa
Les Hay Babies transported their audience to a honky tonk with their own Acadian flair. Complete with a fricot station and Acadian flag banners, the trio’s show was not just a celebration of Acadie but a true expression of their culture here in Montreal. Les Hay Babies took to the stage in custom Western themed outfits with fringe detailing designed by the trio’s own Aubé to a crowd of all ages, many of whom from Montreal’s Acadian community. With a spirit like a homecoming, despite the distance from Moncton, Les Hay Babies brought an intimacy and a graciousness unmatched to the stage. The group’s humor and humility, from their banter between sets to the song writing on tracks like “Some People,” showcased the band’s rural roots to the city of Montreal.
Though at times relying a bit too much on played-out country motifs, such as in the first track “Soyez fiers,” in songs like “Maringouin” and “Mots électrique” there is some evolution beyond typical country sound. The three members are all talented vocalists, and each takes a turn lending solo and backing vocals, resulting in a rich sound. With a sweet guitar twang from all three of the main trio and a backing guitarist and drum kit, the instrumentation was deliberately simple and effective. Les Hay Babies are hot for a tour, and their album’s simple arrangements lends well to the live show. Evoking a rich country-western style, with a clear nostalgia for the golden age of honky tonk country, Les Hay Babies new sound carves out a space for themselves in a still Nashville-centered country world.
(Nelson G.)
