L'Amour ou la Folie
Recorded shortly after Beausoleil celebrated their 20th anniversary,L'Amour ou la Folie("Love or Folly") finds them at the height of their confident, highly spirited, and considerably unstagnant powers. By now the sextet transcends the dancehall, possessing the ability to transform nearly any traditional Cajun, Creole, or French tune into high art while preserving a clear sonic bloodline back to its roots. GuestsRichard Thompson, clarinetist Dr. Michael White, and lap-steel guitarist Bessyl Duhon are lagniappe on a record that encompasses everything from happy and sad old-timey waltzes, two-steps, and ballads, to spry "newgrass" originals like Michael Doucet's "Newz Reel."--Richard Gehr