Beausoleil: Michael Doucet (vocals, acoustic guitar, fiddle, mandolin); David Doucet (vocals, acoustic guitar); Jimmy Breaux (accordion); Al Tharp (guitar, banjo, bass, background vocals); Tommy Alesi (drums); Billy Ware (percussion).
Additional personnel: Mary-Chapin Carpenter (vocals); K-John Jennings (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, piano, Hammond organ, background vocals).
Producers: Michael Doucet, Beausoleil, John Jennings.
Recorded at Bias Studios, Springfield, Virginia, in January 1993.
Even if its sole distinction was that it was "that band playing with Mary Chapin Carpenter on 'Down at the Twist and Shout,'" Beausoleil would be the world's most famous Cajun band. It is, however, much more than that. Beausoleil's chief achievement is that it saved a wonderful but fading music form. Not only did the band bring Cajun music back to life, but it also sought out new and creative avenues for the music to explore. Over the years, Beausoleil has managed to stick close to the spirit of traditional Cajun while expanding the form to include electric instruments and the occasional co-optation of alien musical influences.
Beausoleil is long regarded as a crew of expert musicians and dedicated Cajun archivists, but its members are also fine songwriters. LA DANSE DE LA VIE, a 13-song collection on which nearly all the compositions are Beausoleil originals, demonstrates this capactity. The writing never strays far from the conventions of Cajun music. Consequently, DANSE sounds instantly familiar. Famous pal Mary Chapin Carpenter turns up to add harmonies on two songs. Those seeking an introduction to Beausoleil-and to Cajun music in general-might want to consider BAYOU DELUXE, the band's fine greatest-hits package.
