|
In 1980, Jamie
McMenemy (ex-famous Battlefield Band from Scotland) met up
with guitarist Soïg Siberil and fiddler Christian Lemaître.
Under the name Kornog ('west' in Breton), the trio rapidly
gained fame in Brittany, before being joined by fourth
member Jean-Michel Veillon.
From then on the
Kornog sound was characteristic: dynamic flute and fiddle
unisons (totally unprecedented in Breton music) backed by an
impresive web of harmony and rythm spun by the bouzouki and
guitar, highlighted by Jamie's introductions and his unique
arrangements of Scots ballads.
As opposed to
the majority of Breton bands of the 1980's, Kornog decided
not to play for the traditional dance-band (fest-noz)
market, and it was in the concerts circuit that they toured
France, then all over Western Europe.
The public's
reaction during their first tour in the U.S.A. was so
enthusiastic, that the band recorded a live album in
Minneapolis ('Premiere') for the american label Green
Linnet. Three USA tour followed, and another recording ('Ar
seizh avel/On seven Winds'), but, in contrast to this high
activity, the absence of a efficient management in Brittany
became difficult to endure. Soïg Siberil left the band in
1986, and Kornog was joined by guitarist Gilles Le Bigot.
Just after a new
album(Kornog IV) was released, after a tour in Yugoslavia
and several concerts with the Chieftains in Brittany, the
band split up. Jean-Michel Veillon and Gilles Le Bigot
founded Barzaz, Christian Lemaître joined Storvan, then
toured as a member of Celtic Fiddle Festival (with Kevin
Burke and Johnny Cunningham).
Jamie McMenemy
put the bouzouki in the attic... but not for long, as he
brilliantly featured in several recordings as soon as 1993 :
'E koad Nizan', 'Swing & Tears', 'La Ballade du Nord-Ouest'
(Gérard Delahaye), and as a member of Taxi Mauve and Orion.
Finally, after
incessant requests by Herschel Freeman, the band's America
agent, Kornog reformed in 1999, this time with the excellent
guitarist Nicolas Quemener, ex-Arcady and member of Breton
band Skeduz.
Together, they
toured in the USA and recorded a brand new album : Korong |
