ALBUM REVIEW: BEAUSOLEIL "LOOKING BACK TOMORROW"

Album Review: BeauSoleil "Looking Back Tomorrow: BeauSoleil Live!"

*Disclaimer: All the opinions expressed in this and other reviews are my own. French song titles do not have accent marks because my keyboard does not have them available.*

In the year 2001, BeauSoleil celebrated a remarkable 25 years as a group (or, at least, 25 years of the group name "BeauSoleil" due to a few changes in the band lineup over the years). In any case, 2001 was a milestone year for the band. I'm sure no one back in 1976 thought that a Cajun music group would be together performing for 25 years and reach the heights that BeauSoleil has reached. Michael Doucet himself probably couldn't even imagine what the next quarter century would bring.

As we all know by now, BeauSoleil doesn't do things the ordinary way. The 25th anniversary was huge for this group, and I knew that they would do something just as huge to mark the occasion. When I heard the milestone was coming up, I tried to think of what they might do. Another greatest hits album? An album of all traditional music? An album with all new compositions? A re-release? A collaboration with other artists? What were these guys going to do?

As it turns out, they went back to the venue where they performed their first concert outside of Louisiana or France - The Barns at The Wolftrap in Vienna, Virginia. This is where their fame all started, so it's fitting that they should return there 25 years later. "Looking Back Tomorrow" is a live album, which is also fitting because BeauSoleil is a live band. They bring the music to the people, and they get paid for it. Because I myself had the great fortune to see BeauSoleil perform live, I figured we would all be in for a treat with an album full of what BeauSoleil does best.

The result is one of the best works that BeauSoleil has ever, in my opinion, released. This is an extraordinary album full of rocking renditions of traditional favorites, tender presentations of slower waltzes and love songs, and a few outstanding new songs written by Michael and debuted right here on this live album. It's so hard to pick one BeauSoleil album as their absolute best, but I think this one might have made the decision a lot easier.

1) J'ai Ete Au Bal

The version of this song that I'm familiar with is called J'ai Ete Au Zydeco on their Best Of album. In that one, they include a catchy chorus about the snap beans not being salty. This version is the original version, and they leave the Zydeco part out. Still, this is a good song with danceworthy instrument playing. David Doucet sings the first verse, and Mike Doucet sings the second. I saw them perform this version at the Eugene concert, so it brings back special memories. It's a great song to open the album with because it brings the dance mood and, at the same time, highlights the excellent traditional playing of the band.

2) Bon Temps Rouler

This is a tight, percussion-filled version of their opening song on "Bayou Cadillac." Al Tharp's bass gets things off to a thumping start, and then the other members bring in their instruments one at a time. Jimmy Breaux's accordion is nice and smooth, and the harmonies between the Doucet brothers are excellent. Michael's fiddling is rough and ready and shows the difference between his studio playing and live playing. What keeps the track together and interesting is Billy Ware's varied percussion. This is just a fun song and keeps spirits high.

3) Pa Janvier

A Dennis McGee waltz. The mood is very sad and sorrowful, and the fiddle as usual brings out the emotions. Jimmy uses his accordion well during the verses, though, adding a subtle layer of depth to the gorgeous vocals. David's guitar is also quite good, as it is throughout the album. This is not one of my favorite songs on the album, but it is a good way to slow down from the two dance-oriented opening tracks.

4) Parlez-Nous a Boire

This is a fun, sing-along Cajun classic originally sung by the Balfa Brothers that BeauSoleil performed live during the concert I saw. The instruments are good and fun to listen to, and the harmony singing is catchy. Unlike the recorded version, there is no hand clapping. That does take away a little of the fun, but the song is still excellent. It continues the theme of traditional dance songs played with reckless abandon.

5) Amede

This is one of the new songs that Michael wrote and first recorded here (I'm not sure if he wrote them specifically for the album or not). It's a salute to one of the pioneers of Cajun and Creole music, Amede Ardoin. Michael's heartfelt lyrics tell Amede's sad story from Amede's point of view, adding to the emotion and mysteriousness of the song. Musically, this is a waltz and it's a very good, tender waltz. Michael's fiddle is what keeps the song afloat, and the other players add their own special touches with their instruments. This is one of the most beautiful songs on the album, and must have been captivating to hear in concert.

6) Varise

Another of Michael's original songs, and this time dedicated to Cajun fiddler Varise Connor. It has a two-step rhythm, but more of a slow, pensive rhythm rather than a faster dance hall feel. The instruments here all sound excellent, but not particularly unique or outstanding. It's a great song and definitely works well live.

7) Travailler C'est Trop Dur

I simply cannot say enough about how amazing this song is. It is a song BeauSoleil performed and recorded back in the very early days of their career. It's a slower, inspired ballad with a "gathered 'round the campfire" country-western feel. The performances here, from the wonderful fiddle and guitar playing to the harmony vocals of the band members, are full of quiet power and emotion. The singing here is the most outstanding of any BeauSoleil has ever done. The effect of all the voices together is haunting and goes straight to the heart. It's relaxing, inspiring, and makes you happy to be alive. This is definitely my favorite song on the album.

8) It's You I Love

This is a Fats Domino song sung in French and English by Michael. It's a great upbeat, romantic song. The fiddling is quite good and lovely, but what caught my attention was Jimmy's accordion. Jimmy can somehow make such a limited-range instrument give off so many varied emotions, those of love and devotion this time around. This version of the song, as opposed to how BeauSoleil recorded it, is a bit more rhythmic and bouncy. Michael shows how much love is in his heart through his singing, and as usual he is up to the task of making a song extra special through his skills.

9) Grand Mamou

This is one of the standards of the Cajun waltzes, and it's fitting that BeauSoleil picked it for this special collection. It's not too different from most of the band's other waltzes, but its history makes it a standout. Musically, Jimmy Breaux's accordion gives this song its Cajun flavor. The song is performed slowly and surely, just the right tempo for close dancing. It's not the most fun song on the album, but it's a good song nonetheless and highlights another road leading to where BeauSoleil find themselves today.

10) Pierrot Grouillette & Madamoiselle Josette

This is a fun, energetic wedding song that gets better and more intense the longer it runs. It's a traditional-sounding dance number with plenty of French flavor and groovy beats. The fiddle and accordion are as wonderful as usual, and Michael draws your attention with his dramatic and soulful singing.

11) Zydeco X

The band changes things up here by performing their funky, jazzy Zydeco-influenced song "Zydeco X." Tommy Alesi keeps a tight beat with his drumming, and Jimmy Breaux gives the song its Zydeco groove with his cool accordion playing. Michael adds some beautiful fiddle and sings the fun-sounding lyrics (one of the more recognizable words for English speakers is "barbeque"). This version of the song is actually a little slower and the beat a little more even than the version the band recorded, where everything was done at top speed and Michael's vocals were distorted. Even so, the song is still a thrill to listen to. It shows the funkier Zydeco side of the band and gives the listener a break from the traditional songs.

12) Ma Douce Amie

One of the saddest, slowest songs that BeauSoleil has ever performed or recorded. This ballad features Michael singing in pain and misery, expressing the heartbreak told in the song's lyrics. This is most definitely not a song you can dance to, but it does show that BeauSoleil is not just a dance band. Michael enhances his sad, depressed vocals with his sorrowful violin playing. The other band members subtly back him up, Jimmy Breaux adding the most to the song with his equally-sad accordion.

13) Quoi 'y a Toi

This is another fun two-step, but with a hint of desperation as Michael's lyrics implore a woman to stop being angry and dance with him. Michael once again reflects the emotions of the lyrics in his wild, passionate singing. His fiddle is good as always, giving the song a European feel. Dancing is once again the order of the day, and BeauSoleil pulls off a great two-step like they always do.

14) Perky Dance Two-Step

The band plays another two-step, this one a Michael Doucet original. It's an instrumental, and it sounds very European. The fiddle is the star of this tune, and is what makes the music sound like it came from France instead of Louisiana. It's a fast, happy dance number and shows off the group's instrument playing skills well. It's a nice way to end the album and it shows Michael's considerable composition skills.

15) Bon Soir, Tous Mes Amis

This isn't really a song per-se, it's just the band playing a tune to close out the concert while Michael says goodbye and introduces all the members. While it might seem unnecessary, it does add that live feel to the end of the album and lets the listener experience what a BeauSoleil concert might be like. As Michael thanks the audience for coming, I thank him for giving the world such a wonderful live album that shows how good BeauSoleil can really be outside the studio.


So, what do I like about this album? Nearly everything! What impresses me the most is the high quality of the album's sound (the songs all sound as good as anything recorded in a studio) and the high quality of the band's playing. You can definitely hear all the instruments better on this album than on most of the studio albums. David Doucet's guitar in particular is heard more often throughout the songs, and I like that. Jimmy Breaux's accordion adds a smoky, jazzy, southern feel to the songs, and Michael's fiddle playing is both beautiful and dirty and sounds much different than it does in the studio.

The song selection is certainly interesting and shows how the band has progressed throughout the years. They did not select too many songs from their recent albums, but picked some of their classic favorites, some of the lesser-heard traditional songs, and some brand new compositions to show where the band is now. The advantage of a live CD is that we get to see how the band arranges and performs these songs at their shows. It was very refreshing to hear these songs in a different way after hearing them on the studio albums. The energy that BeauSoleil brings to each song is evident and makes for compelling and entertaining music.

Another thing I must mention is how well the liner notes to this album were done. Journalist Michael Tisserand writes about the journey of the band from a loosely-formed traditional group in the mid-seventies to the tight, exceptional band they are now. He also allows Michael Doucet to reflect on the values that the band holds dear and how Cajun music and culture in general has changed and been brought to the outside world. BeauSoleil was obviously a huge part of that change. Photos of the band playing live are also great. They're fun to look at and very high quality. My minor complaint is that lyrics were only included for a few of the songs and not all of them. I understand that there probably wasn't room for everything, but it still would have made the listening experience better to have lyrics for everything.

In conclusion, I find that this live album is both a fine celebration of BeauSoleil's 25th year in existence and an example of the band at their finest. The quality of each song is high, and the overall listening experience is amazing. The band has truly captured the magic of their live shows, and that magic makes this one of their best albums yet.