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Although the 2nd anniversary of Katrina's slam-bang of Southern Louisiana has passed, the area is still very much in the news and in the thoughts of a lot of people -- not only those who still live there, but many others who have spent time in the area and retain fond memories.
With that in mind, it seemed to me to be a good time to simply recognize some practitioners of one of the area's signature musical styles, one that always livens up the mood. Cajun music is our subject, and more specifically, the Acadien Cajun Band's new album, All Night Long, due out soon on the Swallow Records label. This is the group's second album, following their debut, 2004's La Clarite.
The group's name - Acadien Cajun Band - seems a little redundant, since Cajun is another form of Acadien (or Acadian, the more conventional spelling used on Amazon's listing). But forget all that, because they can call themselves anything they want. The important fact to remember about this album is that the music is first class. These guys are the real thing, and their music is the kind you'd hear in any number of good Cajun dance halls or clubs. (And I've been in a few.)
Ryan Simon, the founder of the band and the guy manning the squeeze-box, handles many of the vocals, including the title song (which he also composed) a bouncing, driving tune that perfectly defines the genre. The rest of the group includes fiddler Brandon Moreau, guitarist Dwayne Michaud, Joe Romero on bass, and drummer Jay Miller.
They're also joined by a couple of guest artists, Ryan's brother Drew Simon, who is a well-known Cajun singer and musician in his own right, and second fiddler Robin Bruck. Drew, who is normally a part of the Pine Leaf Boys, shows his vocal style - typically Cajun - on "I'm Not To Blame," a slow ballad evocative of lost love.
In addition to the title tune, brother Ryan shows up well on "Nonc Charlot", leading with his fiddle, and again on "One Time Too Many." If you're into dancing that song will do the job, but I especially enjoyed "Cankton Two Step," a piece that's impossible to resist.
Good stuff, coming our way direct from the bayou, the Acadien Cajun Band's All Night Long.
- Big Geez
Discography
All Night Long (2007) - flattownmusic, inc - Ville Platte, LA
La Clarite (2004) - ACB productions, Lafayette, LA
Photos
Bio
South Louisiana has forever been marked with a rich history of music, from blues, rhthym and blues, soul, swamp pop, rock and roll, and, of course, cajun and zydeco music. Within the realm of cajun, creole, and zydeco music, however, there lies an emergence of contemporary yet traditional sound and style of the typical musician. With additions such as electric guitars, slide guitars, twin fiddles, triple row accordions, etc. and along with the influences of the fore-mentioned genres, the music itself continues to grow in an ever-dynamic fashion.
In the spring of 2000, Acadien Cajun Band was created with the intention and the will to carry the tradition one step further. Unlike the typical cajun and zydeco band, relying on standard sounds was not one of the band's primary objectives. Ryan Simon, the band's founder and guitarist/accordionist, states that "we are, and have always been for that matter, a band that relies on each other for our initiave and our sound. We are fundamentally traditional in what we play, whether it be standard tunes or not, yet we aspire to be 'originally challenged'" "Originally Challenged" as Ryan puts it, is the ever-present aspect that defines the band. Since the band first started playing venues and festivals, the main objective has been originality. The culmination of that can be seen on their latest release All Night Long, which is described in more detail on the discography page.
In addition to their orginality, Acadien Cajun Band can also be most noted for their versatility. "One thing we really pride ourselves on, " says Ryan, "is our versatility. Vary rarely when we play will we finish playing the same instruments we started out playing. I'll switch to accordion, or we'll just finish off with an acoustic set with two fiddles, etc." "We are a band of musicians, and our music defines the band, not the other way around."
Another measure the band takes in their approach to performing is the songs themselves. Despite the original tunes the band plays, the majority of its repertoire is tradition music. Ryan states, "We sound the best when we learn from each other. What really drives us is when we don't have to listen to records or cd's. That's when we become original, even if it is with standard tunes." "For example, we might play a traditional two fiddle two-step. We might just play it accoustically if one of us thinks its sounds better." "Each of us, moreover, is an encyclopedia of Cajun music in his own right. We each have different influences that we teach the others, whether it be songs or styles that help contribute to our sound.
Whatever the case, Acadien Cajun Band is an aspiring young band, full of exuberance and a true love for what they do. You will find them at jam sessions, clubs, dancehalls, recording studios and other venues through the music scene of south Louisiana carrying on what they were taught, teaching what they know, and loving every minute of it.
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