Music
Gina Forsyth, Promised Land (Waterbug Records)
Attention musicians: For those thinking they need to rush their product out with sub-par material and inferior packaging for that nifty festival gig, take note of Gina Forsyth. The New […]
Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Devil on a String (Independent)
Despite the personnel changes over its eight-year existence, the Lafayette Rhythm Devils still manage to find new grooves to mount its formidable dancehall attack. As evidenced on its first disc […]
John and Jane Vidrine, Recollections (Independent)
What most people don’t realize about Cajun music is that it was a family tradition long before it was played professionally. Such is the case here with John and Jane […]
Various Artists, The Rough Guide to Cajun and Zydeco (World Music Network)
Though there aren’t as many various artist Cajun-zydeco compilations being released these days, The Rough Guide to Cajun & Zydeco is one of the few that actually makes sense. Instead […]
Vin Bruce, Dans La Louisianne (Bear Family Records)
Columbia Records signed Vin Bruce in 1952, making the 19-year-old the first Cajun to ever sign a contract with a major label. It was his beautiful French originals that attracted […]
Corey Ledet, Do You Want More? (Independent)
When Corey Ledet sings about going back home on the freewheeling opening track, one has to wonder if this first generation/Clifton Chenier style of zydeco is indeed his home. Out […]
Lawrence Walker, Essential Collection (Swallow Records)
Along with Iry LeJeune and Nathan Abshire, Lawrence Walker played an integral part in Cajun music’s accordion revival in the early ’50s. He was such a smooth, precise player that […]
The Archives of Cajun and Creole Folklore
One of the sonic jewels to be had at this year’s Festivals Acadiens et Creoles was Best of Festivals Acadiens 2002, released by Valcour Records. Its 14 tracks include such […]
Johnnie Allan, Shine On (Jin Records)
This 15-track collection commemorates Johnnie Allan’s 60th anniversary in professional music with mostly previously released material (1979-1999) now appearing on CD for the first time. One of Allan’s classics, “La […]
Gregg Martinez, South of the Parish Line (Magnolia Records)
Equipped with one of the best blue-eyed soul voices around, Gregg Martinez flirted with stardom in the ‘80s when Philly soul masterminds Victor Carstarphen and Keith Benson nearly launched him […]
