Email this article | Printer friendly page FeufolletCow Island Hop |
 |
Cow Island Hop finds Feufollet all grown up with somewhere to go. Formed in 1995 by accordionist and fiddler Chris Stafford and Chris Segura when Stafford was 8 and Segura was 11, Feufollet grew into its own a while back but now seems as self-assured as a veteran Cajun band should.
There have been personnel changes over the years, but now this group—all around college age except for fiery guitarist Joshua Clegg Caffery—Feufollet definitely appears to have grown into itself with this lineup as it cranks out loving covers and original material almost without any discerning difference.
The difference comes in the execution, with the Magnolia Sisters’ “Prend Courage” opening the album with an almost rocking aesthetic (Is that a Hammond B3 I hear melding with the accordion?). Then here comes co-lead vocalist Anna Laura Edmiston, who, on mentor Steve Riley’s “Eunice Waltz,” is one of the few who can make Cajun music sound downright sultry with her clean, smooth alto. Then “Femme L’a Dit” (again with Edmiston singing) shows the band in a hot club mood that would knock out most of the Spotted Cat crowd.
Cow Island Hop shows that Feufollet appears equally adept at looking at Cajun’s past and present, but there are times when it still feels like the gang might be spending a bit too much time in the woodshed. That’s understandable; even Steve Riley takes care in trying to make Cajun sound “progressive.” Here’s hoping the younger team of Feufollet takes even more chances next time around. For now, they’re sublime, respectful and fun to listen to.
The Louisiana Music Collective
Authentic New Orleans and Louisiana roots music resources.
