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 bague qui brille,” is the impetus for this release, as the song has remained popular since super group Cajun Born, of which Allan was a member, first cut it in 1989.
Unlike Allan’s other Jin releases that were typically English-sung swamp pop, this one features mostly Cajun French originals. On Charlie Pride’s “I’m So Afraid of Losing You,” Allan followed the Belton Richard formula by translating a country song into French; on the other hand, “La Robe” comes from a Mel Tillis song but with original lyrics, melody and arrangement. A few are bilingual, such as Hank Williams’ “You Win Again,” which is cast as syncopated swamp pop rather than hardcore honky-tonk.
Two new songs make their recorded debut here. The very poetic “Ça, ça, c’est dur (It’s, it’s so hard)” boils down to cherishing your loved ones while you still have them. The title track, obviously intended for a family member’s wedding, is sentimental enough to be a universal bliss anthem with such endearing lines as “Go with him / just know that we still love you.” But most importantly, these new tracks demonstrate that Allan can still write a good song and his formidable pipes show no signs of rust.
