Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music
Encyclopedia
Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music is an album of Cajun music
by various pop
and rock
musical artists, released in 2002. It reached number 6 on the Billboard
Top World Music chart and was nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards.
's goal for Evangeline Made was to demonstrate the affection of popular artists for Cajun music. She enlisted various pop performers along with members of BeauSoleil
, her own group with her husband accordionist Marc Savoy
and fiddler
Michael Doucet
of the Savoy Doucet Cajun Band as well as other musicians to "renew and extend Cajun tradition rather than simply re-create it."
Vocal performances include two duets by Linda Ronstadt
and Savoy, John Fogerty
, Rodney Crowell
, Patty Griffin
, Nick Lowe
, Maria McKee
, and David Johansen
. Each song is sung in French even though most of the artists don't speak the language. The two instrumental tracks do not identify the musicians performing.
Music critic Richie Unterberger
, writing for Allmusic, rated the album 4 of 5 stars, writing: "The production is understated and sympathetic, as it's neither hardcore Cajun music nor Cajun music that's been bleached into pop… Purists might find this something of a sellout, a dilution of the real and rawer thing for ears unaccustomed to the real deal. Perhaps they have viable points, but here's a fact which might be hard for them to face: this simply has much more variety, skillful singing, and thoughtful, pleasing production than most Cajun records do, without compromising the spirit of the music."
Writing for No Depression, Don McLeese called the album "musical interplay so soulful and vibrant it transcends the language barrier." and avers the collection "honors the music not as a folk purist’s artifact, but as a living dynamic. Not one of the fourteen cuts seems less than a labor of love"
Music critic Mike Warren reviewed the album for The Pitch and of the songs, wrote, "Because they're in French, and because they're sexy as hell, the songs have an air of sultry mystery that's part of the best Cajun music."
Production notes:
Cajun music
Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...
by various pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
musical artists, released in 2002. It reached number 6 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top World Music chart and was nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards.
History
Producer Ann SavoyAnn Savoy
Ann Savoy is a musician, author, and record producer.-Biography:Savoy was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She resides with her husband Marc Savoy and family in Southern Louisiana....
's goal for Evangeline Made was to demonstrate the affection of popular artists for Cajun music. She enlisted various pop performers along with members of BeauSoleil
Beausoleil
BeauSoleil is an American musical group specializing in Cajun music. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, the group members are brothers Michael Doucet and David Doucet , Jimmy Breaux , Billy Ware , Tommy Alesi , and Mitchell Reed .-Band history:Founded in 1975, BeauSoleil BeauSoleil (French, beautiful...
, her own group with her husband accordionist Marc Savoy
Marc Savoy
Marc Savoy is an American musician, and builder and player of the Cajun accordion.Savoy holds a degree in chemical engineering but his primary income is derived from his accordion-making business, based at his Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana. His wife is the singer and guitarist Ann Savoy,...
and fiddler
Fiddler
A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...
Michael Doucet
Michael Doucet
Michael Doucet is a Cajun fiddler, singer and songwriter who founded the Cajun band BeauSoleil from Lafayette, Louisiana.In 2005 Doucet was one of 12 recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA award, which recognizes artistic excellence, cultural...
of the Savoy Doucet Cajun Band as well as other musicians to "renew and extend Cajun tradition rather than simply re-create it."
Vocal performances include two duets by Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
and Savoy, John Fogerty
John Fogerty
John Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
, Rodney Crowell
Rodney Crowell
Rodney Crowell is a Grammy Award-winning musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music....
, Patty Griffin
Patty Griffin
Patty Griffin, born Patricia Jean Griffin, March 16, 1964, is an American Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and musician. She is especially known for her down-home crafting of songs and her connection to musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, and the Dixie Chicks, who have played with...
, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, Maria McKee
Maria McKee
Maria Luisa McKee is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her work with Lone Justice and her 1990 UK solo chart-topping hit, "Show Me Heaven".-Music:...
, and David Johansen
David Johansen
David Roger Johansen is an American rock, protopunk, blues, and pop singer, as well as a songwriter and actor. He is best known as a member of the seminal protopunk band The New York Dolls and also achieved commercial success under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.-Early life:Johansen was born in...
. Each song is sung in French even though most of the artists don't speak the language. The two instrumental tracks do not identify the musicians performing.
Reception
Evangeline Made was nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards.Music critic Richie Unterberger
Richie Unterberger
Richie Unterberger is a US author and journalist whose focus is popular music and travel writing.-Life and writing:Having worked as a DJ at WXPN in Philadelphia, he started reviewing records for Op magazine in 1983...
, writing for Allmusic, rated the album 4 of 5 stars, writing: "The production is understated and sympathetic, as it's neither hardcore Cajun music nor Cajun music that's been bleached into pop… Purists might find this something of a sellout, a dilution of the real and rawer thing for ears unaccustomed to the real deal. Perhaps they have viable points, but here's a fact which might be hard for them to face: this simply has much more variety, skillful singing, and thoughtful, pleasing production than most Cajun records do, without compromising the spirit of the music."
Writing for No Depression, Don McLeese called the album "musical interplay so soulful and vibrant it transcends the language barrier." and avers the collection "honors the music not as a folk purist’s artifact, but as a living dynamic. Not one of the fourteen cuts seems less than a labor of love"
Music critic Mike Warren reviewed the album for The Pitch and of the songs, wrote, "Because they're in French, and because they're sexy as hell, the songs have an air of sultry mystery that's part of the best Cajun music."
Track listing
- "Vagabond Special" (Marc SavoyMarc SavoyMarc Savoy is an American musician, and builder and player of the Cajun accordion.Savoy holds a degree in chemical engineering but his primary income is derived from his accordion-making business, based at his Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana. His wife is the singer and guitarist Ann Savoy,...
) – 2:56- instrumental
- "La Chanson d'Une Fille de Quinze Ans (Song of a Fifteen Year Old Girl)" (Traditional, Ann SavoyAnn SavoyAnn Savoy is a musician, author, and record producer.-Biography:Savoy was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She resides with her husband Marc Savoy and family in Southern Louisiana....
, Marc Savoy) – 2:26- featuring Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy
- "Diggy Liggy LoDiggy Liggy Lo"Diggy Liggy Lo" is a single by American country music duo Rusty & Doug. Released in 1961, their version peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Doug Kershaw, one half of the duo, released a solo version of the song in 1969 that peaked at number 70 on the Billboard Hot...
" (J. D. Miller) – 3:22- featuring John Fogerty
- "Je Veux Plus Te Voir (I Don't Want You Anymore)" (Belton Richard) – 3:31
- featuring Richard Thompson
- "Pa Janvier, Laisse Moi M'En Aller (Pa Janvier, Let Me Go)" (Traditional, Ann Savoy) – 3:54
- featuring Nancy Griffin
- "Les Flammes d'Enfer (The Flames of Hell)" (Austin PitreAustin PitreAustin Pitre was born in Ville Platte, Louisiana. A Cajun music pioneer, Pitre claimed to be the first musician to play the accordion standing up, rather than sitting down...
) – 2:35- featuring Richard Thompson
- "Ma Mule (My Mule)" (Traditional) – 3:24
- featuring David Johansen
- "Ma Blonde Est Partie (My Blonde Left)" (Traditional) – 2:35
- featuring Maria McKee
- "Blues de Bosco (Bosco Blues)" (Eddie Shuler) – 4:21
- featuring Rodney Crowell
- "O, Ma Chère 'Tite Fille (Oh,My Dear Little Girl)" (Cléoma FalconCléoma FalconCléoma Falcon was a Cajun guitarist and vocalist born in southwest Crowley, Louisiana. She is best known for being the wife of Joe Falcon as well as being one of the first people to record Cajun Music. The song "Allons à Lafayette" was recorded on April 27, 1928 in New Orleans...
, Ann Savoy) – 3:49- featuring Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy
- "Valse de Balfa (Balfa Waltz)" (Will BalfaThe Balfa BrothersThe Balfa Brothers were an American cajun music ensemble. Its members were five brothers; Dewey on fiddle, Will on fiddle, Rodney on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, Burkeman on triangle and spoons, and Harry on Cajun accordion....
) – 2:56- featuring Richard Thompson
- "Two Step de Prairie Soileau" (Traditional) – 4:03
- instrumental
- "Arrêtte Pas la Musique (Don't Stop the Music)" (George Jones) – 3:00
- featuring Nick Lowe
- "Tout un Beau Soir en Me Promenant (On a Beautiful Evening While ...)" (Traditional) – 3:12
- featuring Maria McKee
Personnel
- Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
– vocals, harmony vocals - Ann SavoyAnn SavoyAnn Savoy is a musician, author, and record producer.-Biography:Savoy was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She resides with her husband Marc Savoy and family in Southern Louisiana....
– vocals, harmony vocals, fiddle, guitar - John FogertyJohn FogertyJohn Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
– vocals, guitar - Rodney CrowellRodney CrowellRodney Crowell is a Grammy Award-winning musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music....
– vocals, guitar - Patty GriffinPatty GriffinPatty Griffin, born Patricia Jean Griffin, March 16, 1964, is an American Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and musician. She is especially known for her down-home crafting of songs and her connection to musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, and the Dixie Chicks, who have played with...
– vocals - Nick LoweNick LoweNicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
– vocals - Maria McKeeMaria McKeeMaria Luisa McKee is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her work with Lone Justice and her 1990 UK solo chart-topping hit, "Show Me Heaven".-Music:...
– vocals - David JohansenDavid JohansenDavid Roger Johansen is an American rock, protopunk, blues, and pop singer, as well as a songwriter and actor. He is best known as a member of the seminal protopunk band The New York Dolls and also achieved commercial success under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.-Early life:Johansen was born in...
– vocals, harmonica - Christine BalfaChristine BalfaChristine Balfa is a Cajun musician. She is the daughter of Dewey Balfa. She was born June 28, 1968.She founded the groups Balfa Toujours in 1992 and Bonsoir, Catin.- Discography:* Live at Whiskey River Landing - Balfa Toujours...
– guitar, triangle - Richard Thompson – vocals, guitar
- Jimmy Breaux – accordion
- Austin Broussard – drums
- Sam Broussard – guitar, slide guitar
- Mike Burch – drums
- Michael DoucetMichael DoucetMichael Doucet is a Cajun fiddler, singer and songwriter who founded the Cajun band BeauSoleil from Lafayette, Louisiana.In 2005 Doucet was one of 12 recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA award, which recognizes artistic excellence, cultural...
– fiddle - David Greeley – fiddle
- Kevin Wimmer – fiddle
- David Doucet – guitar
- Jane Vidrine – guitar
- Rodney Miller – steel guitar
- Kevin Dugas – drums, triangle
- David Egan – piano
- Brian Koonin – guitar, cardboard box, toy organ
- Sonny LandrethSonny LandrethSonny Landreth is an American blues musician from southwest Louisiana who is especially known as a slide guitar player. He was born in Canton, Mississippi, but soon after, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, before settling in Lafayette, Louisiana...
– slide guitar - Dirk Powell – accordion, bass, fiddle
- Mitchell Reed – bass
- Marc SavoyMarc SavoyMarc Savoy is an American musician, and builder and player of the Cajun accordion.Savoy holds a degree in chemical engineering but his primary income is derived from his accordion-making business, based at his Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana. His wife is the singer and guitarist Ann Savoy,...
– accordion - Wilson SavoyWilson SavoyWilson Allen Savoy is a Grammy nominated Cajun accordion player and singer in the band the Pine Leaf Boys as well as a local filmmaker in Lafayette, LA...
– piano
Production notes:
- Ann SavoyAnn SavoyAnn Savoy is a musician, author, and record producer.-Biography:Savoy was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She resides with her husband Marc Savoy and family in Southern Louisiana....
– producer, arranger, liner notes, photography - Steve Buckingham – executive producer
- Marc Savoy – arranger
- David Johansen – arranger
- Brian Koonin – arranger, engineer
- Tom Rothrock – engineer
- Scott Ardoin – engineer
- Jim Brady – engineer
- Erich Gobel – engineer
- Edward Haber – engineer
- Nick Hannan – engineer
- David Rachou – engineer
- Kevin Lacey – engineer
- Tony Daigle – engineer, mastering, mixing
- Jim Bessman – liner notes
- Jennie Carey – production assistant
- John Fago – photography
- Chris Gabrin – photography
- Jim Akin – photography
- Miranda Penn Turin – photography