Search - Pine Leaf Boys :: Musique

Wonderful, And They're Even Better Live

K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 03/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""La Musique" by the Pine Leaf Boys nearly does the impossible. It almost captures one of the most exciting live bands around on a disc. Of course, there's no way to listen to this album and manage to see bandmembers like Cedric Watson and Wilson Savoy seamlessly trade off accordians and fiddles, guitar maestro Jon Bertrand flail around like Jimi Hendrix a la Elton, LA, or catch the steady rhythm of Blake Miller and drummer/vocalist/whatever may be needed Drew Simon. However, the album does come close.



At first listen, you'd think that this band might have stepped out of the early recording days of the likes of the Balfa Brothers. But listen again, and you'll notice that this band has managed to carry on the traditions of yesterday and harness in the power of more modern Cajun music to make a wonderful sound all of their own. Highlights of this album include my personal favorite, "La Belle Josette," the high energy "Pine Leaf Boy Two-Step," "Homage a Poullard," "Les Barres de la Prison," and "Chez Moreau." In all actuality, the entire album is a highlight.



If you ever get the chance to see these guys live, you're in for a treat. They're one of the most entertaining bands around and they're like no other Cajun band on the scene. They have a solid foundation made up of Cajun and Creole greats like Iry Lejeune, Canray Fontenot and Dennis McGee, but fuel this tradition with the power of youth. I highly recommend this album and their live show."

The Next Generation of Great Cajun Musicians

dad2agm | 09/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The great Cajun musician Dewey Balfa once observed that "A culture cannot be kept alive under glass in a museum." And, indeed, the constant struggle for any folk musician is to maintain fidelity with tradition while also instilling a living vitality into the music. The Pine Leaf Boys have achieved this difficult balance as they offer Cajun standards that they have skillfully (re)arranged. They steer clear of the kind of contemporizing touches that will seem hackneyed in a few years, and they let their playing speak for itself. The result is an album that has a timeless feel but with an energy level that is unmistakably young."

Continuing the Cajun tradition with a fresh enthusiasm

Christopher John | Louisiana | 12/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a beautifully melodic CD that carries the old Cajun tradition without being stale or overly repetitive of the past. The French lyrics almost became a thing of the past generations but thankfully it is carried on by this band and others in the area.

They perform these beautiful songs without the need of trying to inject other styles or genres to market themselves as being more "original". This is a timeless and yet present day continuation of this unique style of music. And they are so young and talented...expect more greatness from these guys in the future."