How’s Bayou
pardon my french
Art Deco – email – mbristow@seanet.com
released in 1998
visit the band's website
This Cajun band hails from across the country on a diagonal from what we traditionally think of as Cajun country, Seattle, Washington. However they can play the music and it would stand up to the regulars at Mulate’s in Beaux Bridge, or Prejeans in Lafayette. An enormous part of Cajun music has to do with the attitude with which it is played, it must be relaxed with the intent that the audience is going to have fun and dance to the music. This band exhibits the relaxed attitude without losing focus on the quality of what they are playing. Their musicianship is top notch. The vocals are treated and handled with great care to the tradition of Cajun music. Former band member Ben Lang straps on the electric guitar on the traditional Cher Bebe to assist them. Also Al Berard a veteran of playing with Sonny Landreth and the Traiteurs and Big Pecan and the Assorted Nuts contributes fiddle (2 cuts)and electric guitar (3 cuts). Their treatment of the old-style Cajun dance numbers is scintillating. They are a powerful band fueled by the strong rhythm work of Jay Weaver on drums, Paul Mooney on guitar, and Mike Bristow on bass. The band receives its main drive and energy from the vibrant and progressive fiddling of Karen England and from Dave Lang on accordion. When England and Berard team up their fiddles on the first and last cuts of the disc they tear down the walls, I would like to have heard more of them playing together. I have a feeling that like all Cajun bands you have to see them in person to truly get their intensity and feeling. A very solid disc filled with good Cajun dance music played with a very traditional feel.
Songs, Times, and Writers
1. Madame Etienne/Rosalie – 2:43 – Dennis McGee
2. La Vie J’croyais J’voulais – 2:42 – Willis Touchet
3. BO Sparkle Waltz – 2:50 – traditional
4. Louisiana – 3:09 – Percy Mayfield
5. Chere Bebe – 4:02 – traditional
6. Oberlin Waltz – 4:35 – traditional
7. Acadian Special – 3:54 – traditional
8. Travelin’ Light – 3:04 – Bob Neuwirth/Pete Case
9. Valse des Grands Pins – 4:10 – traditional
10. Crowley Two Step - 4:25 – traditional
11. La Valse du Prairie Rhonde – 3:41 – traditional
12. Goodtime Two Step – 3:25 – traditional
13. Pine Grove Blues – 4:40 – traditional
14. Hip et Tieaux – 2:48 – traditional
15. Valse a’Tout l’Monde – 2:48 – traditional
16. Take a City Bride – 4:32 – Floyd Guilbeau
17. Valse des Meche – 2:45 – traditional
18. T’en As Eu, T’en n”Auras Plus – 3:45 – traditional
19. Courville-McGee Waltz – 3:18 - Dennis McGee
Produced by How’s Bayou
Musicians –
Mike Bristow – bass, vocals
Karen England – fiddle, vocals
Dave Lang – accordion, vocals
Paul Mooney – guitar, vocals
Jay Weaver – drums
With
Al Berard – fiddle (1, 19), electric guitar (4, 8, 16)
Ben Lang – electric guitar (5)