From Now On is a Cajun tour-de-force of distilled Michael Doucet, the much admired leader of the Grammy-winning group BeauSoleil. Nineteen tracks of wide-ranging repertoire and pared-down instrumentation of solo fiddle, fi... more »ddle-plus-one, and solo accordion showcase Doucet's stylistic mastery, eclectic musical grounding, and creative spirit. Cajun, Creole, blues, Buddhism, gospel, and much more inspire this "solo gombo" of fun and fine artistry. 67 minutes, 19 tracks, 28-page booklet with extensive notes.« less
From Now On is a Cajun tour-de-force of distilled Michael Doucet, the much admired leader of the Grammy-winning group BeauSoleil. Nineteen tracks of wide-ranging repertoire and pared-down instrumentation of solo fiddle, fiddle-plus-one, and solo accordion showcase Doucet's stylistic mastery, eclectic musical grounding, and creative spirit. Cajun, Creole, blues, Buddhism, gospel, and much more inspire this "solo gombo" of fun and fine artistry. 67 minutes, 19 tracks, 28-page booklet with extensive notes.
Susan Budig | Minneapolis, MN United States | 05/22/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Earlier this week I was walking along the Seine, looking at Notre Dame. But I couldn't stay in Paris forever. The sadness of leaving France was assuaged by returning to this new release by Michael Doucet. My husband, who'd remained at home, noticed it on Amazon and picked it up for me.
"From Now On" offers the listener an intimate look into the range of music that Doucet produces. I've been lucky enough to hear more than once Doucet stand on-stage warming up his fingers as he fiddles non-Cajun tunes during his band's sound-check. There's a big, big world of music going on in his head. He's more than Cajun although it's the Cajun that I love best.
Track #5--Chez Denouse--with second fiddle played by Mitchell Reed shines a spotlight on what makes Cajun music so irresistible. I've seen his band, BeauSoleil, in concert many times and could easily imagine the joy on Doucet's face as he played this number with Reed.
This last song walks directly into the next piece, A Closer Walk with Thee/I Know, which I wish could last twice as long. Todd Duke on acoustic guitar creates a whole new dynamic with Doucet than I'm accustomed to between brothers Michael and David, who plays guitar with BeauSoleil.
Although I've heard many of these numbers on other albums, it's a different experience to hear them played in a musicially stripped down fashion. Not only does Doucet feed my Cajun addiction, but he satisfies my relentless craving for fiddle music with a variety of styles.
The respect that Doucet has for the music he plays and for the creators of that music is illuminated by his dedication to skill and reach for perfection, which he attains. The album is a joy to listen to and superbly recorded. You'll swear Doucet is bowing his fiddle in the seat next to you sounding as full of the nick as ever."
A Fiddle God
Joseph J. Kenny | Indiana | 01/14/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I enjoy his vocals too, but he doesn't need to sing -- it is the voice of God
speaking through his fiddle. There are times when opening his mouth would
spoil the exquisite singing of his fiddle."
Your Soul Will Soar
Cherie M. Alnatour | Highland, CA. | 08/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a Michael Doucet addict so I knew I would buy this one like I do everything with his name on it. I was expecting maybe not to like it as much as my other Beausoleil CD's because I am very addicted to Michael's voice and this CD is full of instrumentals. I bought it right from his hand so it was special right away. Boy was I wrong about not liking it as much, the music is so exquisite and breathtaking that I could feel his soul all the way through it and there were several numbers with his beautiful voice like Madame Boudreaux. Marc Savoy was joking and calling us to buy 2 CD's for $30 and I wanted to cry and tell him they are priceless and worth so much more."
Doucet outdoes himself
#1 Doucet fan | Dearborn, MI | 07/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael doucet's newest CD "From Now On" is by far his best and most outstanding work. Truly he is not only the master of Cajun fiddle, but also blues, gypsy jazz and swing. But don't read about it, buy it. You won't be sorry."