Beausoleil Parlez-Nous A Boire & More CD

A reissue of Beausoleil's 1984 album PARLEZ-NOUS A BOIRE & MORE with 3 tracks from the band's first Arhoolie album (1981), and 2 previously unavailable tracks. Also includes a translation by Barry Ancelet.

Tracks 11-13 originally released on Beausoleil's album LIVE! FROM THE LEFT COAST (Rounder 616 035).

Principally recorded at the WDR Funkhaus & Cologne Folkfestival, Cologne, Germany from July 11-15 1983; The Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, California. Includes liner notes by Jonathan Fischer.

Vocalist and fiddler extraordinaire Michael Doucet's group Beausoleil has long been one of the best and best-known performers of Louisiana roots music. The group draws on Cajun (a hybrid of American country and traditional French folk songs) and zydeco (a hybrid of Cajun and R&B) with the respect of traditionalists but with enough vigor and inventiveness to make the music jump to life. Though some Beausoleil releases experiment with modernizing the music, adding electric instruments and contemporary production flourishes, PARLEZ NOW A BOIRE sticks close to the source.

Ballads like "Mercredi Soir Passe" and two-steps such as "Sue" and "La Rue Canal," sweetened by lilting accordion and fiddle melodies, evoke an age-old musical tradition of acoustic, back porch music making. Drums, triangle, and spoons add percussive texture to the more up-tempo reels and jigs, but the predominant mood of PARLEZ is subdued (especially in comparison to the band's rave-up party discs such as BAYOU CADILLAC). Bonus cuts from the PARLEZ sessions and additional tracks from Beausoleil's first Arhoolie album are welcome lagniappes to this fine collection of traditional folk music.

Includes liner notes by Ben Sandmel.

Personnel: Michael Doucet (vocals, fiddle); David Doucet (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Al Tharp (banjo, background vocals); Tommy Comeaux (mandolin, bass); Annick Colbert (recorder, background vocals); Errol Verret, Jimmy Breaux (accordion); Tommy Alesi (drums); Billy Ware (percussion).

Personnel: Michael Doucet (vocals, guitar, fiddle); David Doucet (vocals, guitar); Tommy Comeaux (mandolin); Errol Verret (accordion); Chris Strachwitz, Annick Colbert (recorder); Billy Ware (drums, spoons, triangle); Tommy Alesi (drums).

Liner Note Author: Ben Sandmel.

Recording information: Marc Savoy's Music Center, Eunice, LA (05/19/1951-05/14/1984); Master Trak Studios, Crowley, LA (05/19/1951-05/14/1984); St. Mary's Chapel, Lafayette, LA (05/19/1951-05/14/1984).

Photographer: Phil Gould .

Translator: Barry Jean Ancelet.

Unknown Contributor Role: Barry Jean Ancelet.

Personnel: David Doucet (vocals, guitar); Michael Doucet (vocals, fiddle); Tommy Comeaux (mandolin); Annick Colbert (recorder); Errol Verret (accordion); Robert Vignaud (bass); Tommy Alesi (drums); Billy Ware, (percussion).

Producers: Michael Doucet, Chris Strachwitz.

Down Beat (10/91, p.47) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "...There is no Cajun band better that Beausoleil...romping two-steps, ecstatic swings, passionate blues, solemn waltzes, stunning melodic ballads, and wild stomps..."