The Right Combination

Joel Savoy (pronounced the Cajun French way, ‘Joelle Savoie’) has become a central figure in the ‘Acadian Uprising’, a second-generation extension of the first Cajun revival of the 80s who have begun breathing new life into Cajun music culture during the first two decades of the 21st century. Savoy was a founding member of The Red Stick Ramblers, a leading young revivalist band; five years ago he helped form Valcour Records, which has thus far released 15 albums and already scored four Grammy nominations. In that time Savoy has also been making music with South Louisiana accordionist and singer Jesse Lege, a native Cajun music master now approaching 60. On this new release, the pair join forces with Portland, Oregon-based guitarist-singer Caleb Klauder and four members of The Caleb Klauder Country Band, including drums and electric/steel guitar, billed here as The Cajun Country Revival.

Kicking off this concise, supercharged set in classic style with ‘Ouvre la Porte (Open the Door), a rocking two-step embellished with live-wire rockabilly guitar, this perfectly balanced outfit then segues into ‘Wondering, a 1950s country-music waltz with Lege and Klauder alternating verses, one singing in French, the other in English. A Western swing take on ‘Tippy Toeing, borrowed from Loretta Lynn, features sweetly rendered vocals by bassist Nadine Landry, while the wistful ‘Debut Dans La Porte’ (Standing in Your Door) rolls along smoothly. The album's title-track, a Porter Wagoner staple, bounces along on a succession of delicately laced accordion runs, while a high-spirited version of the folk tune ‘Corina’ (also known as ‘Corinna, Corinna’) whole-heartedly seals the deal on this happy-go-lucky, high-powered, Cajun Country excursion.