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Cajun Conja [Beausoleil] [089353306922]

Beausoleil
1 disc

1. Sophie
2. Tortue Perdue
3. Conja
4. Vieux Crowley
5. Sur Le Pont De Lyon
6. Cajun Telephone Stomp
7. La Nuit De Clifton Chenier
8. Le Rel De Nez Piqu
9. 'Ti Monde
10. Le Chanky-Chank Franais
11. La Valse De La Poussire
12. Tasso/McGee's Reel
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 3069
Credits

Producer
Engineer Steve Himelfarb
Beausoleil: Michael L. Doucet (vocals, fiddle, mando-cello); Al Tharp (vocals, guitar, banjo); David Doucet (vocals, guitar); Tommy Comeaux (mandolin, bass); Jimmy Breaux (Acadian accordion); Joe Oliver (piano); Tommy Alesi (drums); Billy Ware (percussion).
Additional personnel: Richard Thompson (vocals, guitar).
Producers: Michael L. Doucet, Carter Al Tharp.
Recorded at Southlake Studio, Metarie, Louisiana in February, 1991.
Personnel: Al Tharp (vocals, electric guitar, banjo); Michael Doucet (vocals, mandocello, fiddle); David Doucet (acoustic guitar); Jimmy Breaux (accordion); Tommy Alesi (drums).
Audio Mixers: Carter Al Tharp; Michael Doucet; Bob Dawson.
Recording information: Southlake Studio, Metairie, LA (02/1991).
Translator: Sharon Arms Doucet.
By the early 1990s, with worldbeat the latest musical phenomenon, Beausoleil's Michael Doucet felt free to step outside of the confines of what was expected of a Cajun band, adding a wider variety of sounds to his music. Doucet had never been a staunch traditionalist--in many ways, he is the Louisiana equivalent to the fearlessly eclectic Richard Thompson, a friend and idol who contributes guitar and vocals to two tracks here--but on CAJUN CONJA, he allows himself an even greater reach than before. Elements of pop, folk, and Latin jazz color these songs, and the album even ends with a Cajun take on a good old-fashioned Irish reel. And yet, the traditional, pumping Cajun beat remains at the heart of Beausoleil's sound, along with the usual accordions and fiddles, and songs like the tributary "La Nuit de Clifton Chenier (Clifton's Night)" show that Doucet's heart remains at home.
Critic Reviews

Down Beat (10/91, p.47) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good Plus "...[Beausoleil] continues to explore the possibilities of Cajun cadences in traditional and modern musical settings....More blazing bows from Michael Doucet..."