The Bottom Line
The Pine Leaf Boys are a hilariously irreverent group of young musicians from Southwest Louisiana whose antics, onstage and off, are more reminiscent of a group of fratboys than a band of serious musicians. However, when it comes time to play, there's no mistaking: this is the real deal. The music is authentic Cajun and Creole, through and through, and La Musique, their first album, is by far one of the best Cajun albums I've heard in a long time.
Pros
- Classic Cajun tunes such as "Lawtell Two-Step" and "Not Lonesome Anymore"
- Tradition-based originals such as "Pine Leaf Boy Two-Step"
- Hilarious yet informative liner notes, complete with lyric translations
Cons
- Pas de tout
Description
- Pure, unbridled, youthful... yet deeply rooted in tradition.
- Thoughtful songwriting and arranging.
- Flawless musical delivery.
Guide Review - The Pine Leaf Boys - La Musique
The Pine Leaf Boys are known for goofing off onstage, being thrown out of public places and throwing some of the best house parties in Lafayette, LA, so it comes as a surprise to many that when it comes time to play music, their music is straight up traditional Cajun music: no fooling around.The members of the group swap instruments a great deal on this album, and several songs are recorded with no drums or bass, leaving the pulse of the accordion, fiddle and guitar to hold down the rhythm, to great effect. The Pine Leaf Boys aren't scared of waltzes, either, as many modern Cajun and Zydeco bands seem to be. There are 7 waltzes and a baisse-bas (an old Creole-style waltz) on La Musique. Frankly, if it weren't for the technical sound quality of the recording, one might believe easily that this record came from 1960 or earlier.
Particularly notable tracks on the album include the stunning arrangement and execution of Canray Fontenot's "Les Barres de la Prison" and the gritty blues one-step "Blues de Bosco". This album is a great reminder that even though many of the songs are about sadness and lost love, Cajun music is ultimately good-time dance music. I look forward to the next offering by The Pine Leaf Boys.
March 7, 2006
