2001
Produced by: Michael Doucet and BeauSoleil
Recorded LIVE at The Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia on Sun March 5 and Mon March 6, 2000
Special guests: BeauSoleil is special enough - they didn't need any guests for this one.
1. J'Ai ete au Bal
2. Bon Temps Rouler
3. Pa Janvier
4. Parlez-nous a Boire
5. Amede
6. Varise
7. Travailler c'est trop dur
8. It's you I love
10. Pierrot Grouillette & Madamoiselle Josette
11. Zydeco X
12. Ma douce amie
13. Quoi' y a toi
14. Perky dance two-step
15. Bon soir, tous mes amis
As we all know by now, BeauSoleil doesn't do things the ordinary way. The 25th anniversary is HUGE for this group, and I knew that they would do something HUGE to mark the occasion. When I heard the milestone was coming up, I tried to think of what they might do. Another greatest hits album? An album of all traditional music? An album with all new compositions? A re-release? A collaboration with other artists? What were these guys going to do?
As it turns out, they went back to the venue where they performed their first concert outside of Louisiana or France - The Barns at The Wolftrap in Vienna, Virginia. This is where their fame all started, so it's fitting that they should return there 25 years later. "Looking Back Tomorrow" is a live album, which is also fitting because BeauSoleil is a live band. They bring the music to the people, and they get paid for it. Because I myself had the great fortune to see BeauSoleil perform live, I was a little skeptical about how the album would sound. Now that I've listened to it, I have to say that it sounds great.
A special album deserves a special review, therefore I will take you through it song by song.
1. J'ai ete au bal
The version of this song that I'm familiar with is called J'ai ete au Zydeco, on their Best Of album. In that one, they include a catchy chorus about the snap beans not being salty. This version is the original version, and they leave the zydeco part out. Still, this is a good song. David sings the first verse, and Mike the second. I saw them perform this version at the Eugene concert, so it brings back special memories. It's a great song to open the album with.
2. Bon Temps Rouler
This song is on the Bayou Cadillac album, and it's a catchy one. It has a great live sound to it, and they changed the lyrics just a little bit. But you don't think Mike sings the same song twice, do you? Billy's percussion is great on this track, and Mike's fiddling is perfect. This is how he performs live. His fiddling is better live than it is on the albums. Jimmy's accordion is smokin' as usual. The lyrics are pretty funny, they fit BeauSoleil just fine.
3. Pa Janvier
This is a slow waltz, originally performed by Dennis McGee. Mike sings the song great, and his fiddling is pretty good as well. This isn't a standout song, but if you like waltzes you'll enjoy this song.
4. Parlez-nous a boire
This is one of their older songs, and they also performed this one live at the Eugene concert. It's a great song, but I think I like the album version better. It's a pretty good song to perform live, and captures their fun spirit.
5. Amede
This is a slower ballad-style song. Michael is the writer of the lyrics and music, and the song is dedicated to Cajun and Creole pioneer Amede Ardoin. It's a beautiful song, and the translated lyrics tell a sad story. I think it would have been cool if Mike could have sang like Amede and maybe used just an accordion, but it's still great the way they did it.
6. Varise
This is a faster, two-step rhythm, but it has a pensive feel to it. It's another of Mike's originals, dedicated this time to his hero Varise Connor. All the instruments sound great here, but Mike's voice is the best.
7. Travailler c'est trop dur
Quite possibly the best song on the entire album. It's a traditional cajun song that somehow made its way to France, and was performed by BeauSoleil on the first album. It has somewhat of a country-western sound to it, kind of like a cowboy ballad. The group harmonizes, and it sounds great. This one never fails to stir up my emotions. Great job guys!!!
8. It's you I love
This is a Fats Domino song sung in French and English by Mike. It's a great upbeat, romantic song. The fiddling is quite good, but what caught my attention was Jimmy's accordion. This man can do it all!! The cajun accordion is quite possibly one of the best sounding instruments in the world. but only in the right hands: Jimmy's hands!! (side note - Jimmy's a short guy, and short guys rule! That makes him twice as cool in my book).
9. Grand Mamou
This is your typical cajun waltz, but it's a great waltz when BeauSoleil does it. Michael's lyrics are outstanding, and the instruments are sounding nice. Interestingly enough, there are as many versions of this song as there are spices in jambalaya. Mike's other band Coteau does a very upbeat, rockin' and rollin' version with completely different lyrics. But this one is good too.
10. Pierrot Grouilliette & Madamoiselle Josette
I'm not sure what style song this is (waltz, two-step, etc.) but it's a great song nonetheless. The song lyrics are great, and the song itself is interesting. I like this song better every time I hear it.
11. Zydeco X
This is probably the closest to a true Zydeco song that BeauSoleil has ever performed. It's one of those weird songs like Zydeco Gris-Gris. Listen closely and you'll hear the word "barbeque." The song itself is just great, and Mike's lyrics are again outstanding. I've heard a much faster, funkier version of this song where Mike's lyrics are distorted. But even so, I like this version. They put everything they've got into it. Even though it's slower than the recorded version, it still rocks. Dance the night away!
12. Ma douce amie
This is the saddest song I've ever heard. Mike's lyrics are downright depressing. Whoever wrote this song had his heart seriously broke. Nothing you can dance to, but the musicianship is great.
13. Quoi' y a toi
From a slow song, straight into a fast one. This is dance-worthy, and Mike's lyrics are as emotional as ever. The music itself is both emotional and upbeat. One of my favorites on the album.
14. Perky dance two-step
Not your average two-step. This is a VERY European-sounding song. It sounds more French than their other songs, that's for sure. No lyrics, but it's a great dancing tune. Mike's fiddle is just fabulous. As always.
15. Bon soir, tous mes amis
This is just their goodbye to the crowd. The song itself is decent, nothing too special. But it does add that essential live-sounding element. Mike's banter with the crowd is one of the best parts of going to a BeauSoleil concert.
So, what do I think of the album overall? I think it's great!! Not one bad song on the entire CD. I think it does a pretty good job of capturing their live sound, but not quite. I actually think it sounds BETTER than their concerts. Whoever did the sound mixing on this album did a fantastic job. It's got the studio-produced sound quality with the emotion of their live performances. Mike's live comments (usually just 'this song is called ---...) remind you that the album is live, and are also pretty entertaining. This is a band for the people.
The liner notes are great! Michael Tisserand, a Cajun journalist, has weaved the tale of BeauSoleil's 25 journey for your enjoyment. The photos in the liner notes are excellent. They are much better than what you usually get in a typical BeauSoleil album. Mostly they're photos of the group performing live.
The one complaint I have is that Mike and his wife didn't include the lyrics to all the songs. Seems like they don't always include lyrics to all the songs, especially on some of the Rhino albums. For the ones that aren't translated, just use your imagination, I guess. Or get someone who speaks Cajun French to help you. But this is just a minor detail, and does not take anything away from the enjoyment of the music.
This is a special album, made by a special group in their special year. It should be in the collection of any BeauSoleil fan, in my opinion. Finally, I would like to say to the boys:
BEAUSOLEIL!!!!
HERE'S TO 25 MORE GREAT YEARS!!!!