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Archive Files of Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco Musicians |
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Les Amis Creole |
Go to the Official Web Site of Les Amies Creole. Les Amis Creole is also on MySpace.
| The photos of Cedric Watson, top, and James Adams, immediately above, were taken at Festival International during a Louisiana Folk Roots workshop that featured Bois Sec Ardoin, The middle shot of Edward Poullard was taken at the Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Weekend at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. On the CD, Poullard plays accordion and joins Cedric Watson for several twin fiddle songs. |
More than any other contemporary recording, Les Amis Creoles, released by Arhoolie Records in 2006, gives you the full range of the beauty and power of old-style Creole music. Recorded by Joel Savoy in the downtown Lafayette house that Cedric Watson shares with other members of the Pine Leaf Boys, this is the true sound of French music in Southwest Louisiana: friends playing for their own enjoyment, connecting with one another and with their culture through songs passed along from one generation to the next.
Cedric Watson once again displays his remarkable gifts both as a Creole fiddler and a vocalist, joined by two older musicians who have long had a central role in preserving Creole music. Edward Poullard, the brother of the late Danny Poullard, switched from playing accordion to fiddle a number of years ago after suffering an injury, but, on this CD, he has obviously recovered his ability if he ever lost it: the sounds he produces on his accordion are pure, natural, seemingly effortless. “The Cowboy Waltz” and “Si dur d’ętre seul” are solo accordion cuts, and on other cuts he and Cedric play together as if they had been partners all of their lives. He also joins Cedric on twin fiddles for “La valse de Duralde” and two fiddle reels. James Adams on guitar provides rhythm that blends smoothly with the accordion and fiddle. Everything is in perfect balance.
Those unfamiliar with Cedric Watson, who has been part of the Louisiana music scene for only about five years, will be astounded by the way he has mastered traditional music—or, more accurately, become at one with his heritage and added to it through his talent. If you have loved Cedric’s performance of Creole songs with the Pine Leaf Boys, this CD may not be a total surprise, but you will be delighted beyond anything you might have expected. If you hoped that Ed Poullard would have another opportunity to hook up with Creole musicians and play in the old style as he did with his brother Danny and with Lawrence Ardoin and Tradition Creole, the eighteen cuts on this CD will be a treasure.
All photographs and text by David Simpson.