Produced by: Charles Sawtelle
Recorded at: Dockside Studio, Maurice, LA
Special guests: Danny DeVillier, Jerry Douglas, Sonny Landreth, Carl Landry, Gerry McGee (Dennis McGee's son), Harry Simoneaux
1. La Terre de mon Grandpere
2. Cajunization Blues
3. Happy One-Step
4. L'Amour Poisonne
5. La Reine de Coeur
6. Cubano Bayou
7. Chanson pour Tommy
8. Zarico Boogie
9. Recherche d'Acadie
10. Les Nuits a Maui
11. Jusqu'a la Nuit
12. Les Blues de Chaleur
13. One-Step a Choupique
14. Atchafalaya Pipeline
This album was released in 1999, and it followed the grammy-winning L'Amour ou La Folie. L'Amour was going to be a VERY hard act to follow, and I'm sure the group wanted to do something really special to surpass L'Amour, win another grammy and generally kick the new millennium off to a two-step beat. What they did, as they have been doing their entire career, was bring cajun music to the next evolutionary step. In light of that observation, it's highly appropriate that they chose a stone-age art motif for the album's liner notes and cover.
Also appropriate for this album is the title, "Cajunization." This implies that the group has taken various musical styles (and, to a great extent, general American culture) and "Cajunized" them. And that's exactly what they've done on the album. In a way it's ironic. For many years, the cajun culture and people were forced to assimilate into the American way of life. The assimilation was not entirely successful, or else we wouldn't even have groups such as BeauSoleil. But, in light of that assimilation, it is kind of funny that Mike Doucet and the boys are making America assimilate to them. And, unlike the cajuns, America seems to be enjoying their assimilation. I don't think they're going to do it with just one Grammy, but I think they've already left a huge mark on the cultural map. I can't wait to see what they do next. In fact, I read in a press release from their booking agent that the group is doing a recording for their 25th anniversary (1976-2001). I just know that they are going to blow me away. When that album comes out, I will definitely purchase it. And when I do, I will tell you all about it right on this website.
Without further ado, on to the songs.
"La Terre de mon Grandpere" is a very reflective song. It is a song about Michael and David's grandparents and the land they lived off of. The music itself is fiddle-driven, and the singing is suited to storytelling. However, I detect a slight rock and roll twist to this song. It's a good song to start the album with, because it starts the theme of traditional-style songs (all but two are written by Mike) with a modern attitude.
"Cajunization Blues" is one of several blues-themed songs on the album. Contrary to what the phrase Cajunization implies, the song is about the Mike getting the blues from all the bad in the world. With the cajuns' positive outlook on life, it's no wonder Mike doesn't like what he sees. The world would be better if we could all be Cajunized, he seems to be telling us.
"Happy One-Step" is very happy indeed. It is a semi-traditional sounding one-step (whatever that is!) originally performed by Dennis McGee. Mike's fiddle is beautiful and addicting on this one.
"L'Amour Poisonne" is described by Mike himself as a "soundtrack to a cajun film-noir movie that hasn't yet been written." Mike clearly establishes himself as a blues singer to be reckoned with. You can really tell that he's been hurt by the woman who gave him "Poison love." Great instruments too - the accordian is bluesy, the bass is kickin', and the fiddle seems to sing its own song of love gone wrong.
"La Reine de Coeur" is very hard to describe. Passionate, that's what I'd say. Not happy, but not sad either. They just play their hearts out. When the lyrics are interpreted (basically he's saying that love is like a card game - place your bets and you might get lucky). The theme is positive, and one wonders if Mike hadn't gotten lucky himself at the card table before writing the song.
"Cubano Bayou" is where we really start to get cajunized. Steel drums and regular drums form the rhythmic beat to the song, and Mike plays around with a carribean theme on the fiddle. It's enchanting. I love it when they start to get into the latin sounds, and this song is one of the best of their attempts to do that.
"Chanson pour Tommy" - I have already discussed this song in the top ten list. But I will say this: Tommy Comeaux was a former mandolinist for the group who died in a traffic accident in 1997. This song is dedicated to him. 4:15 into the song, the slow waltz gives way to a more upbeat tune that stays with you. I absolutely love that part of the song.
"Zarico Boogie" is a more upbeat blues song. The lyrics are sad - his love has left him because he has been out on the road too long. This song makes me think of one thing - "Jam session." This is a new direction for them, and I love it.
"Recherche d'Acadie" is one of the saddest songs I have ever heard. It's about the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755. This was the pivitol moment in cajun history. This one act by the British government changed the lives on thousands of people and their descendants as well. Listen to the lyrics about grandpa and little baby drowning, and cry your heart out.
"Les Nuits a Maui" kind of reminds me of "Danse Caribe" from L'Amour. I have been to Maui myself, so this song is special for me. Think about it- both Louisiana and Maui are tropical paradises with a multicultural rainbow of people who just want to have fun and enjoy life. BeauSoleil obviously love Maui, and the feeling is probably mutual.
"Jusqu'a la Nuit (until the night)" is a great song to hear, well, at night. I heard it live at their concert. Incidentally, that day was Mike and his wife's 20th wedding anniversary. In honor of that day, Mike and the boys played that song. Listening to that in the gorgeous surroundings of Alton Baker Park was just special. The song is good, and is very romantic. I would probably compare it to "La Reine de Coeur."
"Le Blues de Chaleur" is a great bluesy song. The fiddle is awesome. AWESOME. This is what fiddling is supposed to sound like. Bravo, Mike.
"One step A Choupique" - see my comments in the top ten. This is a great song. Very catchy. It's also the other Dennis McGee song on the album.
"Atchafalaya Pipeline" is, apparantly, the very first Cajun surf song. I don't think I need to explain it any more than that, because that's just what it is. The electric guitarist here is Gerry McGee, lead guitarist for the Ventures surf band and the son of Dennis McGee. I wonder what dear ol' dad thought of the surf music? And the electric guitar? Well, now we know what BeauSoleil thinks of it!