Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music

Amazon.com
Cajun music might not need a tribute--after all, it has held its own and remained popular for a very long time now--but the music on this disc is glittering enough to shine in any company. Ann Savoy (the grande dame of Cajun music who assembled this project) and Linda Ronstadt pair up to gorgeous effect on two songs, Richard Thompson offers his own particular edgy style to "Les Flammes d'Enfer," Nick Lowe sounds convincingly Arcadian on "Arrette Pas la Musique," and Maria McKee brings a transparent soulfulness to her contributions. Surprisingly, however, no one tackles the Cajun anthem, "Jolie Blonde." There are plenty of other big names in the collection, with former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty standing out on the classic "Diggy Diggy Lo"--but then his former band always featured the bayou influence. Ironically, however, it's the two instrumental cuts by the anonymous band of Cajun all-star musicians that come across best, showing that even when the stars come out to play, there's never a complete substitute for authenticity. These American roots are strong indeed. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Vagabond Special - Cajun All-Star Band
La Chanson d'une Fille de Quinze Ans - Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy
Diggy Liggy Lo - John Fogerty
Je Veux Plus Te Voir - Linda Thompson
Pa Janvier Laisse Moi M'en Aller - Patty Griffin
Les Flammes de'Enfer - Richard Thompson
Ma Mule - David Johansen
Ma Blonde Est Partie - Maria McKee
Blues de Bosco - Rodney Crowell
O, Ma Chere Tite Fille - Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy
Valse de Balfa - Linda Thompson
Two Step de Prairie Soileau - Cajun All-Star Band
Arrette Pas La Musique - Nick Lowe
Tout Un Beau Soir en me Promenant - Maria McKee

Amazon.com

Cajun music might not need a tribute--after all, it has held its own and remained popular for a very long time now--but the music on this disc is glittering enough to shine in any company. Ann Savoy (the grande dame of Cajun music who assembled this project) and Linda Ronstadt pair up to gorgeous effect on two songs, Richard Thompson offers his own particular edgy style to "Les Flammes d'Enfer," Nick Lowe sounds convincingly Arcadian on "Arrette Pas la Musique," and Maria McKee brings a transparent soulfulness to her contributions. Surprisingly, however, no one tackles the Cajun anthem, "Jolie Blonde." There are plenty of other big names in the collection, with former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty standing out on the classic "Diggy Diggy Lo"--but then his former band always featured the bayou influence. Ironically, however, it's the two instrumental cuts by the anonymous band of Cajun all-star musicians that come across best, showing that even when the stars come out to play, there's never a complete substitute for authenticity. These American roots are strong indeed. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Coonass to the bone! .......2007-01-10

If you are not familiar with Cajun music, this is a great way to start. Some very good artists play some classic cajun tunes. I love it.

Back Home On Saturday Night.......2005-07-15

This album is so much like being back on the bayou once again on a Saturday night, dancing on old wooden floors, having a cold drink and playing pool. The songs transform a car or living room into a long lost world of childhood nights when people had not much money, but something to laugh about, and took time to make the most of what they did have. I am definately buying my memories today.

Bland Lame Mockery.......2005-06-29

What should have been done with this project - Ann Savoy where is your common sense(?) - was to have incorporated TRUE Cajun artists' 'tributes' alongside mainstream artists' watered down lame interpretations just, if only, to add a bit of spice, zest and life to these horrendous "filler" tracks. Some of these artists have jumped on the wagon for a last gasp of possible exposure to their sagging careers. I'm very disappointed in Linda Ronstadt - seems all her projects from the past decade beyond her "Feels Like Home" album are mere warmups for indistinct singing which plainly implies she'd be much better off singing somewhere in a choir in anonymous obscurity. Somebody needs to grab Linda and shake her back to her own musical realities - what a shameful waste of her vocal abilities. [Ronstadt is leaving her "tierra" of Tuscon, Arizona in 2005 for a move back to San Francisco after a decade in commercial career doldrums - an obviously planned prestaging for a future "comeback" to her rightful throne as the Queen Of Pop.] If Ann Savoy envisioned massive universal exposure and commercial success for Cajun Music by influencing these 'blasts from their own pasts' to perform this genre of music, she was way off the mark and this entire project misfires. The artists on this tribute may indeed love Cajun, but, their musical visions fall flatly off base too fast. Sure, all music is out there and can be 'covered' by whoever wishes to do so, but, at least create an impressive contribution for the sake of keeping it vibrantly alive. We in Texas recognize and applaud the true Cajun artists[both famous and obscure]who come across the TX-LA border to perform at local & statewide celebrations only to leave audiences mesmerized and blown away long after they've packed up and gone back home to perform elsewhere. If you must have Cajun music in your collection out of a sincere love and appreciation for it, PLEASE look up the genre's rightfully endowed artists and obtain their Cd albums instead - at least give them their due.[You can also listen to Cajun Music saturday mornings for a few hours on Houston's own KPFT 90.1 FM on the internet at www.kpft.org - nothing but the real stuff is played there!]

Slight disagreement...........2004-12-02

I disagree with the previous review on a few things. First of all, CCR WAS influenced by Swamp Pop, but Swamp Pop is HEAVILY influenced by Cajun music; for those who don't know, it's essentially the music that came out when young Cajuns decided to play rock and roll instead of their own music, and they added Cajun instruments, rhythms and French lyrics to rock and roll, forming a "new" (but actually evolved) style of music. But that's just a technicality.

To make a forced distinction of Ann Savoy as an "adopted Cajun", while true, doesn't invalidate her knowledge of Cajun music and the lifestyle. She's been living in Eunice, LA for decades with her husband, Marc Savoy, the famous accordion builder and musician who played with such seminal musicians as Nathan Abshire and the Balfa Brothers. Ann became famous long ago for publishing "Cajun Music Vol. 1", which has become essentially a bible for Cajun musicians and fans of the music. Plus, don't forget the Cajun saying that there are three ways one can become a Cajun; you can be born Cajun, marry a Cajun, or come through "la porte d'en arriere" (the back door).

Lastly, to recommend Zachary Richard to someone who knows nothing about Cajun music is absurd. Richard is a singer-songwriter who plays primarily guitar (he's a relatively poor accordion player... his real strength is in his songwriting and stellar vocal skills). His music is, while phenomenal, a WORSE reflection of the true Cajun music sound than this record. For someone who really wants to get introduced to Cajun music, try an album by The Balfa Brothers, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Balfa Toujours, or, to stay in the Savoy vein of things, the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band or, best of all, the Savoy Family Band.

By the way, the name can be and is spelled both "Savoy" and "Savoie". Ann and her husband Marc spell it "Savoy". The area of Eunice where they live is also called "Savoy", after Marc's family, and driving up the highway, you see a sign that says so.

Correction regarding "Jolie Blonde".......2004-10-14

I thought this album was lovely with haunting songs, especially Patty Griffin's "Pa Janvier, Laisse Moi M'en Aller," and Anne Savoy & Linda Ronstadt's "La Chanson d'une Fille de Quinze Ans." A correction of an earlier review by someone else: Jolie Blonde" does indeed make its appearance on this album, under the title of "Ma Blonde Est Partie." Different title, same melody!

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