Evangeline Made: A Tribute To Cajun Music

Cajun music might not need a tribute--after all, it has held its own and remained popular for a very long time now--but the music on this disc is glittering enough to shine in any company. Ann Savoy (the grande dame of Cajun music who assembled this project) and Linda Ronstadt pair up to gorgeous effect on two songs, Richard Thompson offers his own particular edgy style to "Les Flammes d'Enfer," Nick Lowe sounds convincingly Arcadian on "Arrette Pas la Musique," and Maria McKee brings a transparent soulfulness to her contributions. Surprisingly, however, no one tackles the Cajun anthem, "Jolie Blonde." There are plenty of other big names in the collection, with former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty standing out on the classic "Diggy Diggy Lo"--but then his former band always featured the bayou influence. Ironically, however, it's the two instrumental cuts by the anonymous band of Cajun all-star musicians that come across best, showing that even when the stars come out to play, there's never a complete substitute for authenticity. These American roots are strong indeed. --Chris Nickson