File'
Hang on to Your Chapeau
cajuncreolemusic.com
released in 2000
visit the band on
louisianasmusic
also available on
Amazon
This disc is aptly named, and once you slide it into the player you’d better make sure your hat is snug down and you’ve got a good grip. This band is outstanding and this disc representative of their material at this point in their evolution. When they first started they were a band bent on preserving the music as it was put down, soon they realized the intent of the music was far more important and they let fly with great abandon. What made the music so important to them was the tradition it represented and a vital part of that tradition was a freedom that encouraged expression of individuality thus a revitalized band that was no longer rigidly holding to a tradition. You can hear the roots pervading all that is here. People such as Canray Fontenot ( who they toured with for awhile), Dennis Mcgee, and Amede´Ardion. You can also here the blues of David Egan (who also plays with Lil’ Band of Gold), and the South American influences of D’Jalma Garnier . This band does not seem to tour and play too much as an entity, they are not widely know, yet they are cited by many as being one of the most influential bands playing Cajun and Creole music. They do it by preserving the intention of, and spirit of the music. They are named for the powdered spice that is made from sassafras, which is a main seasoning in the cooking of the area by both the French and the African cultures. This cross-cultural fusion is reflected in their music, which is further heightened by their eclectic interests. Just give a listen to their take of the Jimmy Driftwood classic The Battle of New Orleans, done as a Cajun two-step. This is one of their finest discs to date. With songs representing all their various influences but played tightly by the band at a peak time. All these various influences are blended into a whole and the disc stands as a strong entity, more than the sum of its parts. I know you will have to work to track it down but this one is worth all the effort. They produced this disc themselves and the sound quality is excellent.
Songs, times and writers
1 Devil on The Bayou – 3:54 – Harry Choates
2 D’Jalma’s Samba – 3:24 – D. Garnier, D’Jalma Garnier
3 Bernadette – 3:11 – C. Fontenot
4 Forbidden Love – 3:05 – D. Egan
5 Johnny Ma Cabrille - 3:29 – Boozoo Chavis
6 La Valse de Vachers – 4:00 – traditional
7 Too Much Wine – 4:14 – D. Egan
8 Les Femmes des Autres – 2:21 – C. Fontenot
9 Wake Me Shake Me – 3:45 – Electic Bluebirds
10 Robe Barre – 2:34 – traditional
11 Shoo Black – 4:23 – c. Fontenot
12 Battle of New Orleans – 5:13 – Jimmy Driftwood
Produced by File
Musicians
David Egan – piano, percussion, and vocals
D’Jalma Garnier – fiddle, electric and acoustic guitars, 3-row button accordion, rubboard, triangle and vocals
Ward Lormand – Cajun accordion, 3-row button accordion, rubboard, triangle, and vocals
Kevin Shearin – bass
Peter Stevens - drums