Magnolia Sisters
Chers Amis
Rounder 6070
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The perspective offered by this all woman Cajun band, the only one I have been able to find record of, gives a unique and exhilarating new look at the traditional music from this area. These five women all carry their long family traditions proudly, and they are respected in their musical community for what they have accomplished. Christine Balfa is well known for carrying on the Balfa family lineage with her well-known and respected band, Balfa Toujours. Ann Savoy is a celebrated for her recordings with the Savoy Doucet Cajun Band. Which consists of Michael Doucet, and Anne and her husband Marc Savoy. She and Marc are also authors of “Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People”. Jane Vidrine is know for her extraordinary harmonies and the treasury of songs she brings to the group. Tina Piilone has established herself as a first rate fiddler, and Lisa Trahan Reed comes from a traditional family that has started to reemerge as one of the fine families of Cajun music. Each of the women, except Tina, supplies vocals on this recording and each is a multi-instrumentalist and quite proficient with whatever instrument comes to hand. There are many outstanding cuts here, give particular listen to the acappella, and much to short, Le Pays des Etrangers. This is some of the most invigorating and interesting music in this genre to reach my ears in quite some time.
Songs, times, and authors
1 Tit Mamou – 3:22 – traditional/Wade Fruge
2 Chers Amis – 4:03 - traditional/lyrics; Savoy – Virdrine
3 Dedans le Sud de la Louisiane – 3:14 – Alex Broussard
4 Le Pays des Etrangers – 1:46 - traditional/Hedier Segura
5 Mon Dernier Bonsoir – 2:26 – Alleman and Walker
6 La Valse que J’aime – 5:11 – Cleoma Falcon
7 Bois Sec Song/O, Treville – 2:54 – traditional
8 Il Faut Hisser Ces Voiles – 1:18 - traditional/Hedier Segura
9 C’est Triste – 2:25 - Cleoma Falcon
10 Jolies Joues Roses – 2:55 – Austin Pitre
11 La La La La – 1:48 – Dennis McGee
12 Mon Coeur Fait Mal – 3:27 – Marc Savoy- Rodney Lejeune
13 Hippi Taiaut – 4:08 – traditional/Falcon Trio
14 La Fleur de la Jeunesse – 2:51 - traditional
15 L’anse Belaire/Reel De Courville – 3:12 – traditional/McGee
16 L’annee de Ciquante-Sept – 3:14 – ALEX BROUSSARD
17 T’en a E Tu N’auras Plus – 3:20 traditional
18 La Belle et le Capitaine – 3:16 – traditional
19 He, La-Bas – 2:41 – Hackberry Ramblers
20 Blues de Voyage – 3:42 – Amede Ardoin-Dennis McGee
Musicians
Ann Savoy – producer, accordion, fiddle, guitar, bass and vocals
Jane Vidrine – fiddle, guitar, triangle and vocals
Tina Pilione – fiddle, mandolin and bass
Christine Balfa – guitar, banjo ukulele, rubboard, triangle and vocals
Lisa Trahan Reed – bass, triangle and vocals