The Savoy Family Band: Cajun Album (2003)

(As published in the Times of Acadiana ... )

The Savoy Family Band
Cajun Album
(Arhoolie)

Purists who feared that Evangeline Made and The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood might tilt Ann Savoy popward can relax: The music on this family affair is so raw it makes the Magnolia Sisters sound like the Hudson Brothers. With two songs by Lawrence Walker, one apiece by Shorty LeBlanc and Amédé Ardoin, seven public domain, and four equally vintage-sounding ones by various Savoys (not to mention no drums or electric guitars and plenty of accordion and fiddle), there’s no way this will cross over. Don’t be surprised, however, if a generation hence roots-music historians credit these performances with having launched the by-then legendary career of Wilson Savoy, whose introduction of a piano pounding formerly identified with Jerry Lee Lewis will be deemed a crucial element in what kept the music alive. Rating: Three-and-a-half unbroken circles out of five.

The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band: Sam's Big Rooster (2000)

(As published in the Times of Acadiana ... )

The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band
Sam’s Big Rooster
(Arhoolie)

This trio, arguably the best traditional Cajun group in the world, performed many of these songs during their Festival International set two weeks ago, backed by a drummer and bassist who are for the most part absent from these versions. Picking up the percussion slack are Marc Savoy’s accordion and Ann Savoy’s guitar, leaving Michael Doucet free--especially on “Mardi Gras Jig,” “Jolie Bassette,” “Amédé Two Step,” and “Hop, Skip, and Jump”--to command the spotlight with what’s unarguably the best Cajun fiddling in the world, traditional or otherwise. Lagniappe: Ann’s singing when the spotlight’s on her. Rating: Four cock-a-doodle-doos out of five.