1997
Produced by: Michael Doucet
Recorded at: Dockside Studio, Maurice, LA
Special Guests: Richard Thompson, Augie Meyers, Dr. Michael White, Josh Graves, Bessyl Duhon, Harry Simoneaux, Tommy Comeaux (R.I.P), Murnel Babineaux, Dave Pellicciaro.
(If anyone want me to list the instruments used by these gentlemen, email me.)
(I apologize - I don't know how to make the French pronounciation symbols.)
1. Newz Reel
2. Les Blues de Creve de Faim
3. L'Amour ou La Folie
4. It's a sin to tell a lie (C'est un Peche de Dire un Menterie)
5. Eunice Two-Step
6. Charivari
7. Boudreaux (David Doucet vocals)
8. Valse a Pop
9. Can't you see? (Tu vas voir)
10. Les Blues de la Prison
11. Danse Caribe
12. Valse J'Aime
13. Courir avec Walker
14. Ma Vie S'est Arretee
If anyone wants me to provide my opinon on each track, email me.
If I had to describe this album, I would say it's a mix of new hits in the tradition (with a few new styles mixed in), along with traditional standards that have been freshly recooked by Michael and the boys. Kinda like last night's gumbo - add some more spices, and maybe serve it a little different, and you're good to go for another meal.
In fact, I'd probably compare BeauSoleil to a talented kitchen staff, with Michael as the head chef. These guys can turn an ordinary meal into a feast royale. The redone songs on this album are defintely in that category. "Le Blues de Creve de Faim" is an old blues song from the depression era. It's probably the most traditional sounding song on the album, but Michael's singing gives it a kick. "It's a sin to tell a lie" is a Tin Pan Alley song, apparantly. It's great to hear the awesome fiddle and Michael White's clarinet jazz the song up. "Eunice Two-Step" was done by Amede Ardoin back in the olden days, but BeauSoleil makes it sound like it was written just yesterday. The group rocks pretty consistently on the two-steps, and this one is no different. Put those dancin' shoes on. Of the other traditional songs on the album, Valse a Pop is probably my favorite. Mike plays his fiddle like only he can, and his singing is superb. If this one doesn't tug at your heart strings, nothing will.
The new songs are great too. Some of them are not really in the traditional cajun style, but most of them are just great songs. Timeless, in fact. If there are any songs that will last long after BeauSoleil stops playing, the songs on here are they. "Newz Reel" (see my comments in the top ten list here) is just a darn good time. Not a bad way to kick off an album. It was the first song they played at the August concert I went to, and it is also the first BeauSoleil song I had ever heard. In fact, L'Amour ou La Folie is the first BeauSoleil album I bought. That's right, I fell in love with this one.
The title track is a lot like Newz Reel. It's a very upbeat song, great for singing along (if you know Cajun French or have the liner notes, that is). This is dance hall style music. The lyrics are pretty funny. The song is about a cajun couple who disagree all the time. I wonder how you say "opposites attract" in French. Apparantly, arguing is a favorite pasttime of cajun couples (Mike Doucet said that, not me!). I'd have to say this is the second best song on the album.
Charivari is an excellent example of just how good Michael is at writing and composing songs. This one is very romantic. Like the other songs, knowing what the lyrics mean helps you enjoy the song. It's about a widow who marries a new man, and the happy life this new couple will lead. This just proves that BeauSoleil doesn't always need to merge styles. They can play straight cajun music as well as anyone.
Can't you see is a swamp-pop style song with many of the special guests. And it's one of those rare occasions where Michael sings in English. But he sings in French too. This one is just rockin'. The last new song I'll mention here is Danse Caribe. I regard this song as the real start to the "Cajunization" stage that BeauSoleil is going through now. It's basically the granddaddy to Les Nuits a Maui and Cubano Bayou from Cajunization. It's a really "trippy" song. The melody sounds haunting, and in the middle of the song they.....well, I won't tell you here. You'll have to listen for yourself. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
What do I think of this album overall? I think it's great. It doesn't have quite as many fast-paced songs as I'd like, but the slower songs are pretty well done. Some of them are too slow for me, though. However, if the song sounds really good and is done with a lot of heart, like Valse a Pop, I'll probably like it. I think the group did a good job of sticking to their roots here, while making the songs sound fresh and new. They're basically the same songs, they just sound more modern, and there's nothing wrong with that as long as the songs are faithful to the originals, as they are here. I also give the guys credit for making really fun songs, like Newz Reel, Corir avec Walker and the title track.
This was my introduction to BeauSoleil, and I'd recommend it as an introduction for anybody else. If nothing else, it gives an overview of the traditons without sounding traditional, and it also gives the dancers some good stuff to work with. And, hey, it won a Grammy. That's as good a reason as any to pick up this CD ASAP.