J'ai Vu le Loup, Le Renard et la Belette

Amazon.com essential recording
The Balfa Brothers were the real deal way back before Paul Prudhomme made Cajun chic. On this 1975 set, the double violins of brothers Will and Dewey dominate this excellent collection of traditional tunes, with Tony and Rodney adding the guitars and triangle, and a minimal amount of accordion from Dewey appearing here and there. You get your two-steps, you get your waltzes, you get some superb romantic ballads where Dewey really gets to strut his vocal stuff. Classics like "La Valse Du Port Arthur" and "Rosina" are offered, as well as a stylish version of "Casey Jones." If you have been hungry for a real-deal Cajun musical meal, then this session is for you. It's a relaxed, low-key affair with lots of good vibes and top-flight playing. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

J'ai Vu Le Loup, Le Renard et La Belette
Rosina
La Valse de Kaplan
Les Veuves de la Coulee
Les Blues du Militaire
O Ye Yai Quoi Faire
Je Suis Content D 'Etre Un Cajun
Casey Jones
La Valse du Port Arthur
La Vieille Danse A Balfa
Annonce
Mon N'Onc' Charlot
Tous Les Deux Pour La Meme

Amazon.com essential recording

The Balfa Brothers were the real deal way back before Paul Prudhomme made Cajun chic. On this 1975 set, the double violins of brothers Will and Dewey dominate this excellent collection of traditional tunes, with Tony and Rodney adding the guitars and triangle, and a minimal amount of accordion from Dewey appearing here and there. You get your two-steps, you get your waltzes, you get some superb romantic ballads where Dewey really gets to strut his vocal stuff. Classics like "La Valse Du Port Arthur" and "Rosina" are offered, as well as a stylish version of "Casey Jones." If you have been hungry for a real-deal Cajun musical meal, then this session is for you. It's a relaxed, low-key affair with lots of good vibes and top-flight playing. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

"Additional Material".......2006-06-02

I agree with the previous reviewer in saying that this is not to be a first purchase, as a "dipping of the toe" in the genre of Cajun music. I would also like to drive home the fact that this is NOT to be your first Balfa album. Get the first two (they are on one CD) and get some of the field recordings and get this one to round out your collection.
I say this because you might believe this is a studio album, in fact, its a set of recordings made by Frenchman (as in Europe) Gerard Dole, and originally released on France's "Cezame" label (that's right, not originally issued in the States). These were obviously (by the sound of crickets and such) made on someone's front porch. That allows for a laid back sound, and the Balfas are in fine form, though a different line-up than the studio LPs (no designated accordionist, although Dewey Balfa takes a few pecks at the instrument), Rodney's son Tony is on board as guitarist, and there is little reliance on the triangle. So what do we have here? A bunch of guys sitting around, casual like, having fun, doing what they do best. You can picture them sitting around on a porch doing their thing. On top of this, we get several tracks with the late Rodney Balfa singing lead, and to tell the truth, I can't believe this man was never offered a solo recording shot. Just listen to that voice! Grand Ol' Opry? I bet the man could've sung anything thrown at him!

We also get Dewey Balfa singing "Casey Jones" - good for those unfamiliar with the language as you might be able to pick up a few words and match them against the English lyrics you know.
Speaking of Anglo material, we get "Je Suis Content D'etre Un Cajun", "I'm Proud To Be A Cajun from Grand Mamou". Yes, a Cajun-ized version of Merle's classic.

So what did I mean by rounding out your collection with this album? Go from the Swallow recordings and pick up "Louisiana Cajun French Music, Vol. 1: Southwest Prairies, 1964-1967", released by Rounder. It includes seven recordings by the Balfas that I think would give a better idea of what they were about and can be appreciated in tandem with "Play Traditional Cajun Music".

Here them state their case, then pick up "J'ai Vu le Loup, Le Renard et la Belette" to hear them have fun when not being the great heroes saving the day of Cajun music that they were.

A Cajun Classic.......2001-02-26

This is the last album recorded by the original lineup of brothers Dewey, Will and Rodney. Rodney (guitar) was killed in a car accident soon after. This is perhaps their most polished album, and a great first purchase for anyone curious about cajun music.