The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band – Sam’s Big Rooster / Arhoolie CD-481

Description

Arhoolie CD 481

The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, featuring accordionist Marc Savoy, singer/guitarist Ann Savoy and fiddler Michael Doucet, are no doubt the premier traditional Cajun band active today. This CD spotlights not only this trio’s remarkably tight interplay resulting from having played together for almost 20 years, but also their individual talents as soloists. Most of the 19 cuts were recorded by Joel Savoy in the family’s small studio near Eunice, La. but two “Live” cuts (tracks 5 & 19) are also included. Booklet includes lyrics to the songs in French and English.

1. Sam’s Big Rooster (Le Gros Guime A Sam)
2. Be Careful, You’re Breaking My Heart (Attention, C’est Mon Coeur Qui Va Casser)
3. Two Step Pour Milton Adams
4. She Made Me Lose My Mind
5. Mardi Gras Jig
6. Duralde
7. Les Culottes A Lollypop (Lollypop’s Underwear)
8. J. B.’S Waltz
9. Si Tu Veux Amuser (If You Want To Have Some Fun)
10. La Bonne Vie (The Good Life)
11. Alton’s Two Step
12. La Valse D’evia
13. Party Girl’s Blues
14. Jolie Bassette
15. Doc Guidry Medley – Tit Maurice
16. Un Tramp Sur La Rue (The Tramp On The Street)
17. Hop, Skip, And Jump
18. C’etait Dessus Un Triste Samedi (It Was On A Sad Saturday)
19. Amede Two Step (Two Step Pour Amadee Ardoin)
20. Doc Guidry Medley – Doc’s Fiddle

REVIEW

“The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band has stayed the course. As one of the finest traditional bands today, they have resisted the temptation to change with the times and each recording is better than its predecessor. It’s been 20 years since Marc and Ann Savoy have teamed up with Michael Doucet. Marc is known as a master builder and player of Cajun boxes. Guitarist and vocalist Ann has authored the definitive tome of the Cajuns and their music “Cajun Music A Reflection Of A People” (Bluebird Press) and is a member of the Magnolia Sisters. Michael is the leader and chief songwriter for BeauSoleil.
But what might be a steady course to some is really a bit of an elaboration to master musicians such as the Savoys and Doucet. Through his years of playing and researching the Cajun fiddle, Michael has created a sound all his own. This style is accomplished by adding ingredients of other styles of fiddling and is instantly recognizable from the very first phase. He and Marc play so tight that sometimes it is difficult to identify the individual instruments.
It would be impossible to highlight each of the 19 tracks on this fine recording, so I will focus on the two live selections and the haunting original ballad by Ann. The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band already has a live recording in their collection, but these two dance tunes; “Mardi Gras Jig” and “Amede Two-Step” typify great Cajun dance music. Recorded in Minneapolis with Doug Lohman on bass and Paul Laughbridge on drums (from Bonetones Cajun Band) the excitement is downright contagious! The throbbing rhythm propelled by the bass and drums makes this some of the finest dance music you will ever hear, anywhere, any style, and the cuts are long enough to allow you to move the sofa and roll up the carpet. You don’t even have to know how to two-step – just follow the rhythm, who knows what may happen!
“C’eait Dessus Un Triste Samedi (It Was on a Sad Saturday)” is probably the most distinctive selection on the recording. Ann’s composition about Hurricane Audrey in 1957 is a stark vocal duet with Michael accompanied simply by the drone of the fiddle. It describes the unimaginable fury of the hurricane and the loss a family feels when all of their children are killed. The final stanza describes the horror of their loss “Oh, yes, my dear we were saved, but without family and with no more spirits. When God wants to send his waters, listen, tremble, don’t turn your back.” It’s a chilling reminder of the day to day struggle for survival on the prairies and the bayou.
The recording was made in Studio Savoire Faire near Eunice, Louisiana. It is housed in the old summer kitchen behind Marc’s family home, the sight of many community music get-togethers in his youth. Marc and Ann’s son Joel, who was also a guest musician-doubling fiddle with Michael on a few tunes and playing bass on most of the others, engineered it.
It’s hard not to run out of superlatives when writing about the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band. the best musicians always make the music sound simple. Simple it may be to the casual listener, but there’s a full collection of emotion and true family values in the music of the Louisiana prairies. Sam’s Big Rooster should be an essential part of any Cajun music collection.”

–Tom Druckenmiller, Sing Out!