Review
    BeauSoleil
    Famous Dave's - Minnesota
    March 19, 2003
    by Rich Benson
    Photography © 2003 by Rich Benson, all rights reserved.
    "Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
    Achievement for Blues on the Internet
    Presented by The Blues Foundation
    music bar
    blues picture Frequently cited as the world's best Cajun band, BeauSoleil brought their infectious, up-beat, passionate Louisiana sound into Famous Dave's for a rolling good time. Their music has a happy, rich, hypnotic quality that draws you in to dance and celebrate life with them. Front man Michael Doucet uses his strong, expressive voice to tell stories in slow soulful ballads and fast, joyful expressions that you can understand on an emotional level even if you do not speak and understand Cajun all that much. Guitarist David Doucet provided some great flat picking on the fast paced opening instrumental that nicely complemented Michael's smooth, expressive fiddle playing. Their music is a mix of Cajun, country, and blues, with a little zydeco and swamp rock thrown in for seasoning. The band showed a tight, enthusiastic sound on "Louisiana Saturday Night." Michael has a strong, textured voice with a bit of a twang and good range.

    Throughout their over two hour long show the band moved smoothly from upbeat, fast paced dance numbers for their many dancing fans to slow, soulful ballads and blues that gave the dancers a chance to get more up close and personal. Their many loyal fans peppered them with requests, many of which they graciously worked into their set. One gets the feeling that they might start with a general idea of what they want to play, and then they let the crowd, their own moods, and the spirit of the night carry them. Their original "Hurricane" moved the crowd, slowly building with the long, exceptionally soulful fiddle playing of Michael leading the way. The heavy beat from the rhythm section of Tommy Alesi on drums, Billy Ware on percussion, and Al Tharp on bass steadily increased the volume and tempo of their playing. Michael broke down his fiddle playing into short, jarring, abrupt riffs, backed by David on guitar and the high energy and great sound of Jimmy Breaux on accordion. Michael leaned back and bent forward, moving with passion as he fiddled. The sound definitely captured the power and wildness of a hurricane.

    blues picture While most of the songs were sung in Cajun, there were a few in English, as was the excellent "Buck's Blues" in tribute to blues man Buck Johnson. This slow rolling country blues song featured nice grinding blues playing by Jimmy on accordion and low, soulful vocals by Michael. Michael's long, slow, raspy bowing on fiddle perfectly matched his sad, mournful lyrics. Jimmy even managed a rich harmonica-like sound on his accordion. The band closed it out with heavy, repeating riffs that reinforced the emotional power of the song. Throughout the night the band played a number of Cajun waltz numbers, which featured beautifully sung ballads by Michael and a smooth, rich, emotional instrumental sound by the entire band.

    Their music is really all closely related to dancing, and here you have it all, from up-tempo country two steps, waltzes, blues grinders, and swampy rock you can dance to however you want. Their music has many influences, from traditional European classical to country to blues. But the BeauSoleil Cajun mix of music is pleasantly unique. They have many great original songs to mine from their 25 years of playing and recording. The band moves seamlessly from their own to covers and back again. This veteran band has solid instrumentalists throughout, starting with Michael on fiddle. They are a tight band with a sound only years of constant playing can give a band. Yet despite all of their success, they have a love and respect for their fans which shows how much class they have. If you want to go out to party, dance and celebrate the joy of live, no band gives you more to make it happen than BeauSoleil.

    In Association with Amazon.com Your purchase through this Amazon.com link helps to support this website.
    Simply click on the cover at left or the Amazon buy button (if there is one) to order this CD NOW!

    "This review is copyright © 2003 by Rich Benson, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
    Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!

    You can also help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details). Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
    Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More

    Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $50.

    Web Hosting & Design Logo Web Hosting & Design:
    Web Hosting & Design. Most affordable web hosting and design services available. Find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!

    Web Hosting & Design Logo If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:

    Blues On Stage
    PO Box 582983
    Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983

    E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.

    music bar

    E-mail gif Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

    Table of Contents:
    [Home Page] [Discussion Board] [Calendar] [Advertise Your Site] [Submit CD] [Store]
    [TC Blues Musicians] [TC Blues Clubs] [TC Blues Jams] [Blues Links]
    [New Reviews] [Live Reviews] [Interviews-Features] [CD Reviews]
    [Blues Profiles] [Site Awards] [Jukebox] [Photo Gallery] [Memorial] [Spotlight Archives]
    [Website Design & Hosting] [Featured Websites & Members]

    blues ring logo Previous | Next | List | Random
    This Blues Ring site is managed by mnblues@aol.com
    We build websites
    Find out how

    Copyright © 2003 Ray M. Stiles
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.