AMG Review of Vintage Beausoleil

Steven McDonald
All Music Guide

It's hard to believe that this was the case, but Beausoleil were the first Cajun musicians to decide to go into performing and producing Cajun music on a full-time basis -- no day job, no support, no net. The 1986 decision to be a full-time band of professional musicians paid off wonderfully for Michael Doucet and company, however, with a series of albums and a great deal of national attention. The attention garnered led to a series of New York concerts in 1986 and 1987, which have been excerpted for this album. For the band and its fans, this collection is a blast from the past -- and what a blast it is! The performances are energetic and heartfelt, delightful and captivating; there are rough edges all around, but that's all part of the power of these tracks, and of this music. Don't believe for a second that this is just a collection of old stuff tossed onto the market to keep sales up -- this is essential.