Creole Belles

A collective of Cajun musicians who have found their way to the Bay Area here combine with Andrew Carriere, a zydeco musician having similarly made the move to California. The result is surprisingly vivid. Where Cajun music can dry out with the scratchiness of its instruments and ultimate devotion to history, zydeco can loosen up the sound. The women of the Creole Belles present songs they've learned from a wide array of the greats of Cajun music — Dewey Balfa, Canray Fontenot, Dennis McGee, the Savoys. At the same time, Carriere shows up to the party with songs from folks like Boozoo Chavis. The mix of influences means that while there are traditional Cajun waltzes aplenty, there are also stretches of sheer romp (including a Buckwheat Zydeco cover that's always a crowd pleaser). While Cajun albums can get a little monotonous hiding behind a fiddle or two, the addition of a couple of accordions here keeps the pace of the album moving and the tone a little more varied. All of the musicians play a part in making an outstanding ensemble of sound. There's never a missed note, and the vocals are all on point. At the same time, though, there's a spark of spontaneity in the music, a lack of engineered sound. Cajun music has its league of greats who should always be looked to for an introductory purchase, but the Creole Belles have the sounds of those greats built into their playing in small ways, and deserve a listen for any fan of Louisianan music.