The Savoy Family Band
Turn Loose
But Don’t Let Go
Arhoolie Records
also available on amazon
Arhoolie Records deserves great praise for continuing in these times to consistently put out high quality disc that go beyond what is commercially produced for the radio, and to set an exalted archetype for others to strain for. The Savoy family continues it tradition of tight vocals, exemplary musicianship, and stretching the standards for Cajun music. This is a Cajun family that not only is regarded as the paradigm for Cajun music, but the craftsmanship that goes into the instruments that they build is unrivaled, and the lengths they reach for to keeping alive the Cajun tradition is nonpareil. Marc Savoy plays and builds Acadian accordions that he builds at the Savoy Music Center in Eunice, LA that is also a hub for members of the Cajun community. The rest of the family is Ann Savoy on guitars, vocals, and triangle; Wilson Savoy on piano, vocals, fiddle and accordion; Joel Savoy fiddle and guitar; and they the family is augmented on several cuts by either Steve Riley or Drew Simon on drums. Ann and/or Marc wrote and/or arranged a number of the cuts with Joel or other members
of the family contributing, Ann did some of the photography, the music is mixed by Joel at his studio, the disc was produced by The Savoy Family, it fits that old axiom rephrased that the family that creates together stays together.
This is as close as you are going to get to the real thing without going to western Louisiana and stopping in at the Savoy Music Center when they are having one of their weekly jam sessions. The music is high energy and will get your toes to tapping and probably have you trying to get up and do some of the wonderful Cajun dancing that is so graceful. Don’t miss out on a true slice of Americana tradition.