Saturday night at this year's International Cajun and Zydeco Festival at the Guildhall in Gloucester, UK.
First up were Joe Le Taxi. I've seen them a few times over the years and I can honestly say that this was the best I've ever seen them. In spite of nearly half of their set being new/untried numbers, they really went for it with a solid rhythm from Andy, Jacqui and Sue, and with Reece and Kevin being themselves. A great start to the evening.
Then onto the Racines - Steve Riley with a new band. I'm afraid to say I was disappointed. In the past, Steve Riley has pushed the boundries of cajun music in very innovative and enjoyable ways, both in the studio and live. But this time, it was 'just another cajun band'. And I wasn't alone in this opinion - a tour of the dance floor chatting with dancers and listeners revealed many of the same mind.
But there was a highlight when Steve picked up his fiddle, and joined by Kevin Wimmer (fiddle) and Glen Fields (triangle) just played as a threesome sets of cajun reels that sounded almost classical at times.
Still a good night overall, but unusually for this event, the homegrown (UK) cajun beat the 'real thing'
I was there .....
by:
nick
I went to the Gloucester Cajun & Zydeco festival as well - we've (Elvis...
