WITCH- Bon Temps Roul-Aid

ISTBO's sister organisation, WITCH which exists to advise and inform you on your shopping choices, today brings you a way to contribute to the economy of the area affected by hurricane Katrina. "Bon Temps Rouler" roughly translates as "Let the good times roll", and can often be heard in Cajun and Zydeco music in the same way as "Get down" is in funk and effeminate squeeking is in Michael Jackson records. Here are some brilliant records by 'Bon Temps' Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans Jazz bands, all from the affected areas. Take a chance on one at your local record store today, and experience wonderful new music whilst putting some cash into an economy that's going to need it to rebuild. Their agent's site says the lads are fine, and you can bet your life they're doing what they can to help those that aren't.

This is a brilliant place to start on Cajun/Zydeco. Fronted by violinist and singer Michael Doucet, one of the main forces in the preservation and renaissance of his local dialect and music, this is a lively mixture of violin, guitar, accordion and percussion with your usual band instruments. Don't let memories of bad accordion played in eighties 'party' records put you off, I promise you this is something entirely different! It is entirely impossible to listen to this album and stay still or maintain any bad mood you have been in. Shoes off, beer from the fridge, and a crayfish po'boy for tea.
It's a sort of sandwich...


Monsieur Doucet again, this time with a more pared down arrangement. This band were originally together in the 1970s playing Louisiana dance halls known as 'The Cajun Grateful Dead', but never got around to recording anything. They put this right in 1997, way past time, but as you'll see, Michael's a very busy chap. This album is perfect for anyone who is too chicken or too miserable to relish a well played accordion, but who still wants to get the Cajun vibe. If you're more in a sittin' on the back porch with a smoke and a shotgun lookin' out at the swamp mood, this is the one you're looking for. Just make sure the tapping of your toe doesn't attract the gators.

If you're not convinced Cajun dance music is your thang, worry not. Doucet again, this time with perfect bluegrass voice Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger on violins, and Rushad on the end there on cello, and only occasional judiciously used acoustic guitar, this album ranges from classical to jazz, with the stunningly beautiful Cajun waltz 'Chez Seychelles' on the way. Particularly pleasing is Michael and Bruce's Cajun French and English version of 'I Know (you don't want me no more)'. This is a totally absorbing album you can really listen to, or impress visitors with your sophisticated tastes by playing in the background during aperatifs.


New Orleans Jazz, now, and a relatively new addition to my collection, but I have to say this one Does Exactly What It Says On The Tin. Featuring guest artists like Mellua-ilkmate but rather good actually Norah Jones, and the legendary and fabulous Dr. John, this is cheese free good old Old Town Jazz at a range of tempos. 'We Got Robbed' is a fine tune, and one you may want to have cued up as we'd look like winning the Ashes if it wasn't for rain forecast...
This is also one of the only records on here not to feature Michael Doucet! Oh, and you've gotta love the name...