Changement d’Adresse

Hello Nanette,

I am a huge fan of the group Harmonium and an even bigger fan of Serge Fiori. I know that you recorded an album with Serge in the 80s and I would really like to hear about your experience writing and working with him. Thank you. JD

Hello JD,

First of all, I would like to say that working and creating with Serge Fiori was like a musical “breath of fresh air.” It would be impossible for me to describe my entire experience with Serge in so few words, but I will try to give you an idea.

In 1986, I was performing with Breen Leboeuf in a musical comedy for the Montreal Jazz Festival. After it closed, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. My band had broken up and I was on my own, but I knew I wanted to take a different direction musically.

When I became pregnant in 1987, my son’s father introduced me to the songs on the recently released Serge Fiori solo album. I had heard a lot about Harmonium in those days although I was not so familiar with Serge Fiori himself. I was out of the country for most of the time in those years, but I was still well aware that Harmonium was the biggest French rock group in Quebec.

When I heard Serge’s solo album, I immediately fell in love with his music and the way it made me feel. I knew I had to meet him. I had a couple of compositions that I wanted him to hear, and I wanted to find out if he liked them enough to get involved in co-writing and maybe even recording an album together.

We soon met in a Chinese restaurant in N.D.G. I was already sitting down when I looked up and saw a young man approaching our table, wearing a large coat that looked about three sizes too big for him. Although he was all wrapped up in winter gear, there was a warm glow coming from him that made me feel calm in spite of the excitement I felt to meet him.

Little did I know at that moment that it was going to be the beginning of a fruitful and creative relationship.

There were days and nights of writing, rewriting, recording, rerecording, happy moments, sad moments, and often very intense moments.

The album Changement d’Adresse took close to three years to complete. The music and lyrics on that album are closer to my heart than any music that I have ever sung, and still remain so.

Serge worked tirelessly almost everyday in his studio. I learned many valuable things while working with him. There were new recording techniques that were not available the last time I had worked in a studio. But mostly, over time, I learned of his generosity.

There were guitar solos he played that made me fall out of my chair. I had heard him play on the Harmonium albums, and even on his solo album, but I never heard him play like that! Serge also had a unique way with the musical arrangements. Not only could he play every instrument, but he knew exactly how, when, and where to place them in a song.

Every piece of music on Changement D’adresse tells a story that I have lived at one time or another in my life.

Thank you, Serge! I lived in a constant state of joy for the three years of creating music with you. It’s a long time ago, but it’s still just like yesterday for me.