Track Listing

1. Newz Reel
2. Blues de Cr�ve de Faim
3. Amour Ou la Folie
4. It's a Sin to Tell a Lie [C'Est un P�ch� de Dire un Menterie]
5. Eunice Two Step
6. Charivari
7. Boudreaux
8. Valse � Pop
9. Can't You See [Tu Vas Voir]
10. Blues de la Prison
11. Danse Caribe
12. Valse J'Aime
13. Courir Avec Walker
14. Ma Vie S'Est Arr�t�e

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24124 in Music
• Released on: 1997-01-14
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com essential recording
Recorded shortly after Beausoleil celebrated their 20th anniversary, L'Amour ou la Folie ("Love or Folly") finds them at the height of their confident, highly spirited, and considerably unstagnant powers. By now the sextet transcends the dancehall, possessing the ability to transform nearly any traditional Cajun, Creole, or French tune into high art while preserving a clear sonic bloodline back to its roots. Guests Richard Thompson, clarinetist Dr. Michael White, and lap-steel guitarist Bessyl Duhon are lagniappe on a record that encompasses everything from happy and sad old-timey waltzes, two-steps, and ballads, to spry "newgrass" originals like Michael Doucet's "Newz Reel." --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews

Steeped in Tradition, Boldly Forging Forward
Maybe it's the Cajun boy in me, but I used to be very unnerved by the popularity of Beausoleil across the world. I just couldn't comprehend why folks in cities like NYC or Boston or San Francisco would enjoy this music, most of which was in a language they couldn't understand. It almost seemed as if Beausoleil was using their "ethnicity" to trick people outside of Louisiana into liking them because they were a "novelty" act. Boy, was I ever wrong. As I've become more mature, I've realized that Beausoleil's popularity isn't due to their "novel" status, but their brilliant music. Few contemporary Cajun bands can play songs like these guys and turn it into a beautiful thing that crosses language and cultural boundaries.

The songs on "L'Amour Ou La Folie" are fun, imaginative and heavily steeped not only in Cajun tradition, but the French tradition as well(listen to "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie" and don't tell me that you think of France when you hear it). "Newz Reel" had me longing to watch KATC news(you won't get this if you haven't been around Lafayette). The rest of the album, from the tribute to "Pop" McGee to the title track, is fantastic. The fiddle work is brilliant and the band's sound is tight. The songs are well done and nothing comes across as gimmicky or fake. When you hear "Charivari," you catch a glimpse of life that few have ever experienced outside of the Pelican State. Everything is found on this album. It's a true masterpiece. Not only does the music pay homage to the past, but you can hear new sounds that haven't been played by a Cajun band before. The closest example I can come up with would be rockabilly. In its infant stages, most of its pioneers could barely play instruments, but when folks like Buddy Holly, who studied music and experimented with it, came along, the sound took on a whole new state. Beausoleil does that with Cajun music. It's traditonal, but at the same time there is a "newness" about it.

Thanks, Beausoleil, for spreading the music of our unique culture across the world. As long as bands such as yourself exist, I don't think we'll have to worry about the Cajun culture fading away for a long time.

Chime Street
One day in early March I was wondering around the LSU campus with hours to go before the Tulane/LSU baseball game. On Chime Street I stumbled across an excellent Cajun band right on the sidewalk. Talk about perfect music for a perfect day...They were so good that I took them with me to the "tailgate" at Tiger Stadium before the baseball game. This type of music gets in your head and stays. When I returned home I purchased L' Amour Ou La Folie. There are certain albums/CDs that are great the first time through. Without question, this is one of the best I have ever purchased. It would be silly to try and name the best selection. Each song is better than the next. Merely playing this CD makes you want to visit the great state of Louisiana (as well as get up and move). Not only is the music exceptional, the technical production is too. I have ordered two more Beasoleil CDs. You should listen to this when you are in a good mood, want to be in a good mood or need to be! (P.S. If anyone knows the "sidewalk" Cajun band from Chime Street on March 5th, please e-mail me) They are well worth seeing.

A GREAT cd--one you can listen to over and over
I love this CD--it is terrific! From "Newz Reel" to "Eunice Two-Step" to "Boudreaux" to the title song, each one is a favorite. "Danse Caribe" has that Caribbean / Jimmy Buffett sound to it that I love. This is my first BeauSoleil CD, and definitely not my last. I first heard them on "A Prarie Home Companion," and based on the songs they performed, I bought this CD. I'm ordering "Cajunization" next, which I also heard on PHC. I can't wait until it arrives! One warning, though--don't play this if you are looking to take a nap. It will have your heart pumping and your feet tapping!