“Shirley Bergeron has written some beautiful songs that are good examples of modern Cajun poetry and sentiments,” Ann Savoy once wrote. “His amazing vocals represent Cajun singing at its best.” Indeed many would have to agree with the renowned author/historian/musician on both accounts—Bergeron possessed the hauntingly high, weepy pipes Cajun audiences crave. Lee Lavergne founded Lanor Records to release music by Bergeron, including Bergeron’s first hit, “J’ai Fait Mon Edée.” That immortal classic, along with Bergeron’s tuneful treasure trove (“Chez Tanie,” “Quel Etoile”), are included in this reissue of Bergeron’s Lanor discography. Though it essentially repackages the 1992 Ace Records’ French Rockin’ Boogie anthology, it’s done a little differently, omitting liner notes and the chronological sequencing of tracks.

Such omissions would be almost unforgivable given an artist of Bergeron’s stature. Yet, it’s also understandable considering that Mardi Gras’ marketing strategy is primarily a tourist-centric one. Consequently, the focus here is not reliving the Shirley Bergeron story but a presentation of authentic traditional Cajun music featuring Bergeron and his accordionist-playing papa Alphee.

Culled from various Lanor 1960-66 sessions with full band support and an acoustic 1970 session, the more recent tracks emphasize Cajun music’s folkier side. The accordion usually drops out when Bergeron sings and strums guitar, leaving a sparser arrangement supported only by a ringing t-fer. The instrumental rides unpeel in a slightly different order too, first fiddle, then accordion, which is opposite of what’s played today.

The ’60s sessions underscore Bergeron’s stunning original material dressed in a funky, archaic ambience. On these tracks, he shows another side to his tremendous talent with some fairly riveting steel guitar playing. Of special note is “French Rockin’ Boogie” where Alphee plays the boogie riffs in unison with the electric guitar, something that was unheard of in 1962.