Customer Reviews

Alligator Stomp Vol.4: Cajun Christmas

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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"Cajun Christmas" provides a fresh interpretation of many Holiday standards and a smattering of Louisiana originals that are true to the spirit of the season. If you are tired of the traditional arrangements and appalled at dogs and cats massacring your favorites, this CD is the perfect antidote. Two strong tracks by Beausoleil, "Christmas Bayou" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" lead off the compilation, the latter interpreted as a Cajun waltz. "Joy to the World" is a bouncy, upbeat combo of fiddle and accordian that will lighten the hearts of the most fervent Scrooge. It's hard not to dance to "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls." The layers of instruments and the upbeat tempos create a celebratory tone in these tunes that has disappeared through repetition of the more familiar arrangements. The final song, "Auld Lang Syne," is the best. Michael Doucet starts out with a slow, mellow fiddle but soon turns from the remembrance of the past year to the anticipation of the New Year with a rollicking finish that compels you to bounce around the house.

While all the tracks are strong contributions, the greatest value of this CD is the regeneration of spirit one feels. The old songs seem new and the cumulative effect is to take some of the cynicism out of the increasingly commercialized season. As an added plus, kids seem to respond to the music, which can open up all kinds of discussions about music, history, and of course, Christmas.

This is a MUST for anyone who can get a little cranky around the holidays from stress. I haven't played it for anyone whose feet and hands could remain still as they listened. This will be a "first grab" out of my CD collection for many years to come.

This CD features Cajun musicians performing Christmas songs. About half the songs are instrumentals, with the other half being sung in either English or Cajun French. This is happy, fun music, featuring an emphasis on accordions and fiddles. All the music here is great. My personal favorite is Belton Richard's "Please Come Home For Christmas", sung in Cajun French, which is the best version of that song that I have ever heard. This CD is sure to make any Christmas party swing.

I love this CD of upbeat Cajun sung christmas music. I play loud and often. It is a nice change to the season of elevator music. My 21 month old son loves to dance around the room while this CD is playing.

Let me add my 5-star rating to this album. I lived in New Orleans as a child and young adult and was charmed by Cajun music. My favorites on this album are Christmas Bayou, It's Christmastime in Louisiana, and Blue Christmas. It ranks in my Top Ten of all-time favorite Christmas albums.

Great buy!!! One of two hard to find items. This fun CD bought back lots of memories of fun Christmases with family and friends back in the Bayou Country of Louisiana.