Track Listing

1. Bayou River
2. Laisse-Moi Connaître
3. My True Love (Voyage d'Amour)
4. Tough Get Going
5. King Zydeco
6. Rosée
7. All for the Better
8. J'Ai Été-Z-Au Bal
9. Chez Personne
10. Clin d'Oeil (The Wink)
11. Je Suis Pas un Couillon
12. Mama Told Papa
13. Let Me Know (Laisse-Moi Connaître)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112550 in Music
• Released on: 1998-06-09
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
It's impossible to listen to this album and be in a bad mood. It just can't be done. Whether it's the rollicking fiddles, or the accordion that suggests a traveling carnival, or the poppy edge to this particular band's blues-inflected Cajun-zydeco-swamp rock, Bayou Ruler is a good time from beginning to end. From the slightly bluesy title track to toe-tappers like "My True Love" and "Clin d'oeil" to the country-inflected "La rosee," this album is solid, punchy, Louisiana style rock. There's a nice low-tempo shuffle to "Je suis pas un couillon" and some righteous accordion and sax interplay on "King Zydeco." As the song titles suggest, this multilingual band sings in both English and French with a few instrumentals thrown into the mix. If you don't understand the words, don't worry--just sit back and enjoy the music. --Genevieve Williams

No Depression
The second you hear the down-in-the-swamp guitar chords that start it off, you know this is not a typical Cajun hoedown; throughout, Riley & the Mamou Playboys cut a wide swath through the music of Louisiana.

Customer Reviews

OUSTANDING EFFORT BY STEVE RILEY AND THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS!
I totally agree with the previous review. This is some of the best cajun music out of southern Louisiana. I saw them live at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival this last May. These are some of the best musicians I have ever seen. Obviously, the previous reviewers have no consept of true Cajun music or the culture itself. My advice for you one star reviewers is to get a life and go down to Cajun country and experience their culture, you will walk away with one incredible experience. I don't know what cd you one star reviewers are reviewing but it can't possibly be this one!

I don't know what CD these other guys were listening to
--but it couldn't have been Bayou Ruler by Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys. The synthesis of styles and genres makes for an innovative, exciting piece of work that reminds me a little of the Clash in the London Calling days. It's a fun listen any day of the week. Folks, if a musical genre can't grow and evolve, young artists (and fans) will desert it and it will die. I can't wait for these guys to get back in the studio!

... and chicory coffee
Oh my lord, what I wouldn't give for an oyster po boy, and then beignets at the Cafe du Monde! The next best thing is listening to Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys so many miles away. My heart is with the people of Louisiana.