Customer Reviews

Allons Danser

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Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have ripped the seams and threads from the fabric of the lives and many cultures of Southern Louisiana. The food and music, both of astounding variety and abundance, are needed to carry us through, and connect all of us from all our roots to our futures. Allons Danser, by Bois Sec Ardoin, more than ably assisted by Balfa Toujours, does all that. It brings out sadness, family and friends, good times, and hope. It is among the first of my CD's to re-obtain after my collection was ruined by flood waters, being in my office of the VAMC's basement, directly between the Superdome and Charity Hospital. All the major groups represented on the monumental work are here in South Louisiana by damnable treatment by fellow humans: African-Americans, French Acadians, and the Irish. But let's not dwell on the past. We have come this far by letting the good times roll.

Alphonse "Boi Sec" ("Dry Wood") Ardoin, born in 1916, started off in music playing the triangle to accompany his cousin, legendary accordionist Amédé Ardoin. He then learned to play the accordion himself, and entered into a 50-year partnership with the famous fiddler, Canray Fonenot, who died in 1995. Not quite ready to retire, Bois Sec was talked into making an album by Christine Balfa of Balfa Toujours, and Allons Danser ("Let's Dance") is the delightful result of their collaboration. Steve Riley, known for his accordion playing, fiddling, and singing with his group, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, here sits down at the drums.

As you might expect, Boi Sec's voice is a bit rough around the edges, but there is still plenty of energy in his singing and playing--he really does make music that makes you want to get up and dance. For those who love the music of Louisiana--indeed, for anyone who loves good-time music--this recording is a treasure.

If you like the Balfa Brothers, or any other traditional-sounding Cajun music, you will likely love this album. It's a true find.