The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band – The Best Of The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band / Arhoolie CD-500

Description

CD 500

The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band is: Marc Savoy – accordion and vocals; Ann Savoy – guitar and vocals; and Michael Doucet – fiddle and vocals.
Three amazing musicians recorded over the course of 22 years, on one CD… Combining the solid, traditional accordion work of Marc Savoy with the acoustic fireworks of Michael Doucet (of BeauSoleil fame) and the lilting guitar and vocals of Ann Savoy (who recently had three tracks on the soundtrack of The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood).
The Savoy-Savoy Doucet Cajun Band makes traditional Cajun music that is lively, enjoyable, and celebrates the joys of uncomplicated, everday life.

1. Quelle Etoile
2. La Valse De Vachers
3. Perrodin Two-Step
4. The Kaplan Waltz
5. Chere Bassette
6. One-Step De Chameau
7. Jolies Joues Roses
8. Happy One Step
9. Reno Waltz
10. Port Arthur Blues
11. Attention, C’est Mon Couer Qui Wa Casser
12. Amede Two Step
13. Lawtell Waltz
14. La Valse Du Malchanceux
15. Lapin Dans Son Nique
16. She Made Me Lose My Mind
17. Atits Yeux Noirs
18. Le Gros Guime A Sam
19. Good-Bye, Yeux Bruns

REVIEW

“For the Savoy-Doucte Cajun Band, mainstream needn’t have ever occurred. Their accordio/fiddle/guitar lineup has warded off amplification, modernization, and cross-genre diversification for the past 22 years (despite some members feeding contemporary cravings on the side via the crossover band BeauSoleil or the recent Evangeline Made dics). While regionalized musics of yesterday are today submitting more and more to the promiscuous temptation of stylistic co-mingling (Cajun music included), this trio sticks to their traditionalist vow of celibacy. Or, as succinctly put by the band: “We are regressive rather that progressive.” Marc Savoy (accordion, vocals), wife Ann (guitar, frequent lead vocals), and Michael Doucet (fiddle, vocals) are today’s old-world masters, as were mentoring heroes like Dennis McGee, D.L. Menard, Lionel LeLeux, and Austin Pitre before them. Very danceable proof resides in this “Best Of,” with songs that hark back to another era or pre-aged originals that wish they did. Billowing fiddle and steel-belted accordion telepathically devetail and then instigate solo breaks that dart above crosscut guitar vamps. These “live” and studio performances sport the same natural spontaneity and spirited freedom as those Saturday morning jams at the Savoy’s Music Center in Enice, LA. Waltzes revolve in circular beauty, one- and two-steps leave clouds of dust (an unstoppable live “Amede Two Step” included), and blues drip melancholy (like “Pretty Pink Cheeks”). And so tradition is safe in these preservationist hands, with as pure an all-acoustic, all-Cajun French vision of Acadian music as you’ll find in the 21st century.”

(Paul-Emile Comeau — Dirty Linen)