Moussu T e lei Jovents: Putan de Cançon

3 / 5 stars
(Le Chant Du Monde/Harmonia Mundi)

Famous for their revival of Occitan, the ancient language of southern France, Moussu T e lei Jovents have always been quirky, charming and original, but now they are adding a new sophistication to their songs. Singer Tatou and the multi-instrumentalist known simply as Blu come from around Marseilles, and set out to match Provençal styles and a dash of chanson against black musical influences from the Americas that have long been a part of the port city's culture. They do so using guitars, banjo and Brazilian percussion, and their mostly upbeat, melodic songs include simple, rousing singalong pieces such as Empeche-Moi and Mon Ouragan. But they are impressive musicians, despite the apparently carefree simplicity of their approach, and there are sections here where they calm down to show off Blu's multi-instrumental skills. So the title track mixes banjo and bluesy slide guitar with slick vocal work, L'Horloge is an exercise in gently stomping French balladry and Bons Baisers de Marseilles is a cool, cheerful ballad matched against fine, rippling guitar work. Like their classic Forever Polida, from four years ago, this is a delightful late-summer set.