The opening line of one of Lucie Blue Tremblay's most popular songs, "So Lucky," gets poetic about the unity of love. "When one voice leads another in a way of harmony," she begins.
The words could just as easily be a synopsis of Tremblay's own bilingual singing style. Since she released her first album on the seminal women's music label Olivia Records in 1986, Tremblay has been noted for getting lyrical in both French and English.
The duality makes her gentle songs more sweeping and timeless, lending credence to the notion of the universal nature of love. On Friday, July 3, Tremblay headlines the 34th annual National Women's Music Festival at the Marriott Madison West.
Like Cris Williamson and Madison's own Tret Fure, Tremblay is among a dozen female acoustic songwriters who defined Olivia Records. The label got its start in 1973 with the release of a 45 single that featured Williamson and Meg Christian. The enterprise lasted until Olivia changed its focus and began selling women's cruise ship vacations in the late 1980s.
Tremblay's songs brim with affirming guitar chords and messages that champion the power of love. They are simple and direct compositions tailor-made for celebrating relationships.
"So lucky that I should be in love with someone like you," sings Tremblay over the delicate piano chords that open "So Lucky."
Tremblay is a native of Quebec and majored in voice at Montreal's Vanier College. She uses her voice as an instrument, and not just by singing. Her remarkable capacity to make whistling sounds that rival a pan flute has been a noted feature of her live performance.
The Women's Music Festival is a four-day event that runs July 2-5. The program features developmental workshops for female musicians and a variety of spiritual and motivational speakers. More than 15 musical acts are scheduled to play two stages over three nights. Tickets to the musical events are sold separately from the conference registration. More information is available at
