Customer Reviews

A Trip to the Holiday Lounge

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Charivari is easily one of the most fun Cajun bands around. They are not strict traditionalists, their music is more in the vein of Beausoleil or Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, in that it pushes the boundaries of Cajun music. However, the top-notch musicianship on the traditional instruments will please purists as well.

Charivari is a great band to introduce people to Cajun music through. They are infectiously fun for dancers and casual listeners alike. All said, this is a great album. Get it!

Excellent use of the Cajun twin fiddles. The slow draw of the strings can bring chills. Traditional vocal styling.

Playing Time - 58:44 -- Charivari is a variant of the word "chivaree," the noisy serenading and partying that friends and family deliver to newlyweds on their wedding night. Thus, the festive, fun-filled and frolicking nature of Charivari's music is appropriate for a night of revel. They have all the necessary ingredients for rousing Cajun music - lonesome mournful vocals, wailing fiddle, breezy button accordion, and the metronomic beat of the bass and drums. The band demonstrates considerable versatility with a repertoire that doesn't stray too far from traditional roots while also mixing in a few originals. They embrace an old sound while still making it fresh and contemporary. A number of their Cajun and Zydeco tunes are attributed to Dennis McGee, Nathan Abshire and Michael Doucet. Ebullient performers, Charivari also draws some influence and inspiration from Celtic, Klezmer and Middle Eastern music. In true raucous party form, you don't even seem to experience much tedium when the two tracks spanning more than 6 minutes cue up. The messages in their songs cover common Louisiana ground about Cajun and Creole people and their lives. Their "Persian/Zydeco Gris Gris" mentions the bayou, oak trees, moss, alligators, swamp gas, werewolves, and Mulattos. In few words, the song paints quite a picture of partying in the swamp. The CD jacket includes the French lyrics and English translations of them.

The band's signature sound balances vibrant vocals and assertive instrumental work. Guitarist J. Randy Vidrine handles most of the singing, with fiddler/accordionist Jonno Frishberg vocalizing on a couple. Mitchell Reed does some impressive bowing of the fiddle. Their rhythm section are two Cajuns who hail from New Orleans -- Alfred "Bo" Ledet (bass) and Matt Swiler (drums). Ledet also plays fiddle on one cut.

About 15 years ago, Mitchell and Randy met at a jam session, and the band was started. As the Mamou Prairie Band. three albums were released on Swallow Records between 1993 and 1998. Their debut on the reputable Rounder label (Rounder-069) occurred with the album, "I Want to Dance with You." These musicians have had much experience performing, touring, recording, and teaching. Their innovation and versatility have been keys to their success. However, one thread holds their music all together. That is their respect for the Cajun culture, the foundations of the music they play, and their desire to see it thrive today. Some favorite cuts include Carollee, It's My Fault, Knife Fight Reel, and Le Holiday. Charivari's "gris-gris" and musical ritual are sure to please all who appreciate danceable music with strong traditional roots. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR)

Rounder Records presents their second album "A Trip to the Holiday Lounge", featuring the Cajun band Charivari with 16 toe tapping some traditional tunes from our favorite genre of music...the bands name refers to the Cajun culture in which the locals throw a big shindig and all attend enjoying friends and company that keeps you in the swing of things and mood...most of the songs are composed by band members Mitchell Reed (fiddle) and Randy Vidrine (acoustic guitar/vocals)...joining in the merriment are Jonno Frishberg (fiddle.accordion/vocals), Bo Ledet (bass/fiddle) and Matt Swiler (drums)...the group has an unusual mix of Persian and Klezmer sounds to French Louisiana dancehall breakdowns taking a path of South Louisiana tradition...and it works, totally has you under it's spell.

Want to thank Tony Daigle (producer) and Rounder Records for this one-of-a-kind album for us, the fans of the best music around, Cajun...if you enjoyed this why not try their first album "I Want To Dance With You" (Rounder 609)...guarantee once you've heard this music you'll be hooked line and sinker!

Total Time: 58:00 on 16 Tracks ~ Rounder Records 610 ~ (10/25/2005)