Customer Reviews

Bon Reve

5 star:		(4)
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At 2003's Festivals Acadiens in Lafayette, LA , this CD was called the "Sergeant Pepper's" of Cajun music by festival founder and Cajun historian Barry Ancelet. In returning to the sound of traditional Cajun music, SRMP has also made a thoroughly contemporary Cajun record. With virtuouso musiciainship featuring Steve Riley's accordion playing, David Greely on fiddle, Sam Broussard on Cajun lead guitar, Kevin Dugus keeping a steady drum beat and Brazos Huval pumping bass guitar, plus thoughtful arrangements, soaring harmony vocals and varying instrumental textures, the band celebrates the riches to be found in Cajun tradition, yet is firmly footed in a modern music aesthetic. Bon Rêve demonstrates just how vibrant Cajun music still is, and contains some wonderful new songs including the title track, "Vini Jilie", "Maline", and "Coco d'oeil dans le fond du puit", plus some excellent renditions of songs by Dennis McGee, Belton Richard, Carlton Frank and Amedee Ardoin. If you turn on the radio in Acadiana these days, you will be hearing a lot of this great CD. This is SRMP's best effort to date - and has earned the band a well-deserved Grammy nomination.

How do these guys do it? SRMP always seem to excell with every effort and yet keep it fresh. Even updates of cajun standards sound better than the originals.
One thing that is impressive is that you can tell they're having fun making music without getting sloppy like so many other bands that drop the quality for goofin' around.
Best effort to date.

I own just about every Steve Riley &TMP's CD out there, and this is my absolute favorite. The title track is so catchy, even my four-year-old sings along. "Vini, Jilie" is heartbreakingly sweet. There is just the right amount of contemporary influence and variety to make this a great "listening" CD. If you are looking for more of a dance CD, "Live" is a great choice.

I was attending my 16th Festival Acadienne in Lafayette, LA, in September, 2003, when I heard each song on this album performed live at Grant Street Dance Hall. The audiance went wild after each selection. He said this CD can't be bought anywhere near here tonight, so if you want it you must buy it here. Knowing I had to have it I chose instead to not stop watching the show and wait until later. He was right, I couldn't find it in the weeks to come.