Customer Reviews

Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Organized by Cajun music mistress Ann Savoy, this all-star effort is a tribute to the Cajun music of southwestern Louisiana which has had a great, though largely unacknowledged, effect on both country and rock since the 1960s. To show how this came to be, Savoy assembles the best Cajun musicians of the region and puts them together with a whole lot of really great folks, including ex-CCR frontman John Fogerty, British rocker Nick Lowe, the highly underrated Maria McKee, and country-rock goddess Linda Ronstadt.

Although Cajun music, like almost every other form of ethnic music in America, tends to be a largely acquired taste, EVANGELINE MADE is a good way to get involved in it. Linda harmonzies with Savoy on "Song Of A Fifteen Year Old Girl" and "Oh My Dear Little Girl", and in Acadian French yet, while Maria gets her licks in on "My Blonde Left" and "On A Beautiful Evening While Walking." And Fogerty gets to essay the Cajun standard "Diggy Liggy Lo."

All that's missing from the album, of course, is "Jole Blon", and probably only because it is now far too well known outside the Cajun world. All in all, this is a well-thought-out album done for the love of a style that is not heard often in its unadulterated form on the radio. It is also proving at this time to be a hard album to find in regular record stores, but don't hesitate to seek it out. You won't be sorry that you did.

I have never written a review at Amazon and this may be my only one. The reason I am writing it is my deep appreciation to Ann Savoy for putting this work together.

I fell in love with this CD from the moment it started playing and I haven't taken it out of the player yet. All of the tracks are outstanding and the total work is masterfully done. If you are a fan of Cajun music or if you are just looking for an introduction, you can do no better than this selection.

This is honestly the best CD I have bought, ever. I can't recommend it high enough.

Jim Bessman said it best:

"Cajun music comes from the heart. And then it goes straight to the heart - the heart of the listener."

For a good comprehensive overview of the CD please read Erik's review.

The trick Ann Savoy has managed with this album is to both honor the traditions of the rich Cajun music heritage AND give some new twists and perspectives via perfect choices of non-Cajun artists to perform the songs. Whether John Fogerty or Richard Thompson or Linda Ronstadt, the singers manage to get inside the songs -- even though they're all in French, which is the ONLY way this material can be sung. And the mix of lively two-steps, stately waltzes and sad ballads covers the whole breadth of Cajun material and life. This is the perfect introduction to the music and culture for anyone even remotely curious, but also a strong addition to collections of devoted Cajun aficianados.

I disagree with the previous review on a few things. First of all, CCR WAS influenced by Swamp Pop, but Swamp Pop is HEAVILY influenced by Cajun music; for those who don't know, it's essentially the music that came out when young Cajuns decided to play rock and roll instead of their own music, and they added Cajun instruments, rhythms and French lyrics to rock and roll, forming a "new" (but actually evolved) style of music. But that's just a technicality.

To make a forced distinction of Ann Savoy as an "adopted Cajun", while true, doesn't invalidate her knowledge of Cajun music and the lifestyle. She's been living in Eunice, LA for decades with her husband, Marc Savoy, the famous accordion builder and musician who played with such seminal musicians as Nathan Abshire and the Balfa Brothers. Ann became famous long ago for publishing "Cajun Music Vol. 1", which has become essentially a bible for Cajun musicians and fans of the music. Plus, don't forget the Cajun saying that there are three ways one can become a Cajun; you can be born Cajun, marry a Cajun, or come through "la porte d'en arriere" (the back door).

Lastly, to recommend Zachary Richard to someone who knows nothing about Cajun music is absurd. Richard is a singer-songwriter who plays primarily guitar (he's a relatively poor accordion player... his real strength is in his songwriting and stellar vocal skills). His music is, while phenomenal, a WORSE reflection of the true Cajun music sound than this record. For someone who really wants to get introduced to Cajun music, try an album by The Balfa Brothers, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Balfa Toujours, or, to stay in the Savoy vein of things, the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band or, best of all, the Savoy Family Band.

By the way, the name can be and is spelled both "Savoy" and "Savoie". Ann and her husband Marc spell it "Savoy". The area of Eunice where they live is also called "Savoy", after Marc's family, and driving up the highway, you see a sign that says so.

The previous reviewer (Erik North) hit it right on the nose - this is an excellent compilation of Cajun songs done by mostly non Cajun artists. The Annie Savoy/Linda Ronstadt duets and Maria McKee cuts are worth the price of the album alone.

Who cares that they don't do French well? To most people I know who have bought the album (and they are huge fans of Louisiana music styles), these songs sound just right.

This album is so much like being back on the bayou once again on a Saturday night, dancing on old wooden floors, having a cold drink and playing pool. The songs transform a car or living room into a long lost world of childhood nights when people had not much money, but something to laugh about, and took time to make the most of what they did have. I am definately buying my memories today.

I thought this album was lovely with haunting songs, especially Patty Griffin's "Pa Janvier, Laisse Moi M'en Aller," and Anne Savoy & Linda Ronstadt's "La Chanson d'une Fille de Quinze Ans." A correction of an earlier review by someone else: Jolie Blonde" does indeed make its appearance on this album, under the title of "Ma Blonde Est Partie." Different title, same melody!

I don't understand a word of french but it does not matter! Listen to it for the voices and the music!. Everyone on it does a great job! Of note, Linda Ronsadt, Ann Savoy and Patty Griffin have hauntingly beautiful voices.

What a wonderful CD! It sure makes me wanna dance. What Variety! I doesn't seem to run together like some cajun albums! I'm going to buy another!

This is a fun cd. Nice to listen to even if you don't understand the words. Who cares if the singers french isn't that great, the music makes up for it. If you enjoy cajun then buy it.