Rating:
Genre:
Cajun
Release Date: 08/09/1994
Run Time: 39:44
Cajun musicians
Randy Vidrine,
Mitchell Reed, and
Philip Allemond invite the listener to "come on to my house" with their 1994 CD release,
Viens à Ma Maison. The three musicians grew up in Cajun country in the southwest part of Louisiana. There, the French language is spoken at the grocery store, where one buys fresh boudin on Saturday morning before going to the fais do do. Calling upon this heritage,
Vidrine on vocals and guitar,
Reed on fiddle, and
Allemond on accordion have produced a record of
traditional favorites as well as some new tunes by
Allemond. Dancing takes place not only at the road houses which dot the landscape near Mamou, Crowley, and Eunice, but also at the private homes of the Cajun populace. There, a pot of red beans and rice is always on the stove to serve old and new friends who might be dropping in to partake and play music and dance. The CD has the feel of one of those down-home soirees. There are
waltzes for stately old couples and young lovers to enjoy. There are lively two-steps for the young and the young at heart. Standout cuts abound, featuring
Vidrine's exuberant vocals,
Reed's lively fiddle, and
Allemond's full-toned accordion, from the opening
"Viens à Ma Maison" to the record's closing song,
Allemond's melancholy
"L'Amour Perdu" (Lost Love). With romantic
waltzes like
"Valse de ma Cherie" and happy two-steps such as the title track, love is never lost for long.
~Rose of Sharon Witmer, All Music Guide