Ray Abshire and Friends
For Old Times Sake
Swallow - 6173
release date 2003
visit or buy from Ray's website
The name Abshire is thought of as synonymous with Cajun music. Ray Abshire has been around Cajun music all his life, and he is now the reigning royalty in that world. Ray was very young when he replaced his cousin, the renowned accordionist Nathan Abshire, in the acclaimed Balfa Brothers Band in the late ‘60s. He made a decision and left the band for a more settled way of life a few years later and was inactive in music until his reemergence in the late ‘90s. This is his maiden disc and the two fiddle players from Balfa Toujours, Kevin Wimmer and Courtney Grangér, and also guitarist André Michot, from the Lost Bayou Ramblers join him here. Both of the fiddle players have that connection to the Balfa Brothers Band, plus Courtney Grangér is a cousin to the Balfa family and thus another direct link to the Balfa Brothers legacy. Abshire is a traditional accordionist who has more than enough technical skills for several bands, while at the same time not being so schooled that his breathtaking playing is hidden by his technique. He attacks a
song and has the precise timing that might leave the listener gaping in wonder. This disc was recorded in his living room and he allows plenty of room for inspiring runs from the two fiddle players, who find plenty of creative stimulus from the interplay that creates inspired music. This is a disc of songs mostly from the Abshire and Balfa family tradition. Ray puts his vocal stamp on 7 cuts while Courtney does vocal honors on 4 others leaving 7 cuts to be instrumentals. There is a magic captured on this disc that should not be missed. Whether it is the result of where it was recorded, who is playing, or… is unimportant. What is important is that you don’t overlook the disc.