The California Cajun Orchestra – Nonc Adam Two-Step / Arhoolie CD-436

Description

CD 436

Danny Poullard – accordion; Suzy Thompson & Kevin Wimmer – fiddles; Eric Thompson – guitar; Sam Siggins – bass; Charlie St. Mary – rubboard; Terry O’Dwyer – drums.

The California Cajun Orchestra, besides being the hottest veteran west coast Cajun band, is a pure example of what the best of the honky tonk southwest Louisiana Cajun bands have been in the past. Whereas nowadays many local Louisiana bands are evolving into Nashville lookalikes, the California Cajun Orchestra delves back through dance hall classics, drawing out and preserving rare and popular gems from the dance hall tradition.

1. Chicot Two-Step
2. Blues A Voyage
3. Ashkenaz Special
4. Lafayette Two-Step
5. Calcasieu Waltz
6. Danse A Dorence
7. Doghill
8. Melville Two-Step
9. Klfy Waltz
10. Johnny Can’t Dance
11. Lacassine Special
12. Two-Step De Yoval
13. Rambler’s Lonely Dream
14. Grande Nuit Special
15. John Poullard Two-Step
16. Paper In My Shoe
17. Nonc Adam Two-Step
18. Pleure Pas Mes Cheres Tee Yeux Bleus
19. Duralde Ramble
20. Gilton

REVIEW

“The California Cajun Orchestra is a Bay Area septet that have steeped themselves in the rhythms of the bayou. Danny Poullard, the group’s sole Louisiana native and member of a prominent family of Cajun musicians, provides the steady, infectious accordion. The group is anchored by Eric and Suzy Thompson, long-time stalwarts of the East Bay traditional music scene, and who play guitar and fiddle, respectively. Sometime Good Old Person Kevin Wimmer plays the other fiddle. The group’s bottom end comes from bassist Sam Siggins, washboard player Charlie St. Mary, and drummer Terry O’Dwyer. Any doubts that this batch of (mostly) city folk can play Cajun are dispelled in the first few bars of the traditional “Chicot-Two Step.” Nonc Adam Two-Step includes 20 selections ranging from the traditional to Cajun classics by the likes of Amede Ardoin and Boozoo Chavis, to a set of lively Poullard originals. The orchestra is blessed with a number of fine vocalists, with Poullard, Wimmer, and Suzy Thompson taking notable turns on the CD.”

-Michael Parrish, Dirty Linen