As
Smithsonian Folkways
moved into the early 21st century, it expanded its catalog to not only include the reissues and collections of field recordings for which the label is most renowned, but also contemporary artists who have a bit more of a commercial reputation outside the folkloric community. One example was this 2008 release by
Michael Doucet
, who had reached one of the widest audiences of any Cajun performer in the decades prior to this recording, particularly in his work with
Beausoleil
. The way in which this CD was done, though, had more in common with the typical
release than those done for bigger labels. It was cut, according to a note by
Doucet
in the booklet, "live in three sessions with no rehearsals, overdubs, or song lists." While
usually played fiddle and octave violin, he also moved to the guitar for one number and the accordion for another. Additionally, though he performs unaccompanied on eight of the 19 songs, on some he's joined by fiddler
Mitchell Reed
and on others, less expectedly, by New Orleans jazz and funk guitarist
Todd Duke
. The material ranges from
originals to covers of songs by
Allen Toussaint
and
Hoagy Carmichael
, as well as the blues standards
"You Gotta Move"
"St. Louis Blues."
It's buoyantly eclectic Cajun music, and if it's pretty sparse in the arrangement department, that seems intentional and part of its appeal. The tracks featuring
Duke
are undoubtedly the most unusual and interesting here, as he's pretty successful in investing
's brand of Cajun music with something of a New Orleans R&B feel.
sings occasionally too, and though his vocals are much less impressive facets of his art than his instrumental skills, they fit adequately into the atmosphere of this CD. ~ Richie Unterberger