Cajunization is quite a sweet piece of work from America’s premiere Cajun band, BeauSoleil, as they follow-up their 1998 Grammy for L’Amour Ou La Folie with this acoustically-charged and very fine CD indeed. In fact, this CD will certainly further BeauSoleil’s mission of bringing the bayou’s rich musical heritage to contemporary audiences and will ensure the band a place for its traditions In the 21st Century.

Cajun legend (and group leader) Michael Doucet wrote both the music and lyrics to a dozen new songs as well as the lyrics to a pair of tracks composed by the late Cajun fiddler Dennis McGee, who was himself very instrumental in the preservation of Acadian fiddle music over the past decade. BeauSoleil is in great form here- Doucet’s sprightly fiddle flitting around every song, brother David’s great acoustic guitar riffs and solid accordion work by the always dependable Jimmy Breaux. Guesting on Cajunization is Venture’s guitarist extraordinare, Gerry McGee (son of Dennis); Jerry Douglas, Nashville’s premiere dobra player, contributing a Hawaiian flavor on dobra and electric guitar; Sonny Landreth on slide guitar, Carl Landry on tenor, alto and baritone saxophones and’ Harry Simoneaux on tenor sax.

Consisting of 14 tracks of simply irresistible music, BeauSoleil finds a simple musical thread and before you know it, you’re completely wrapped in their web of finely strung arrangements.