Though he’s widely known for his Creole Stomp dance band, there’s another intriguing angle to Dennis Stroughmatt as revealed by this collection of French Creole fiddle tunes and ballads from Old Upper Louisiana. Unlike many of his zydeco contemporaries, Stroughmatt didn’t pop out of the womb and into the family band. He was weaned on the music of the Missouri French Creoles who migrated from French Canada to the Old Mines District and other Midwest enclaves in the 1720s. Centuries later, Stroughmatt absorbed the indigenous, under-the-radar roots music from the last of the great, old guard fiddlers in Charlie Pashia, and cousins Pete and Roy Boyer.

Stroughmatt’s second installment of Old Upper Louisiana roots music pays homage to his mentors once again.

Cadet Rouselle recreates the feeling of a foot-stomping, front porch bouillon party where music was played in groups. As a result, these proceedings are electrifyingly vibrant with lively fiddle tunes, spoon-clacking rhythms and Stroughmatt’s well-annunciated vocals. Also contributing to the overall vibrancy is guitarist Wade Bernard, who consistently delivers the perfect solo with a trick bag of infectious, fat, single notes; blitzing finger picking, and double string-plucked harmony runs that chime.

In short, the proceedings are a Francophone musicologist’s delight that arch to the folk repertoires of Canada, France and South Louisiana. Cajun music zealots will instantly recognize “J’ai Passe Devant Ta Porte” but oddly enough, the timeless waltz believed to be of Spanish origin has also been a longstanding part of the Missouri Creole French repertoire. Another point of interest is “Isabelle Se Promene,” a ballad known in Louisiana under that title as well as “Sur le Borde De L’Eau.”

Feufollet recently recorded the latter (as part of Cow Island Hop), but the differences between its Old France version and Stroughmatt’s Missouri Creole version are striking. Feufollet’s is slower and darker while Stroughmatt’s literally bounces with glee, yet both adhere to their respective traditions. Thanks to Stroughmatt’s preservationist efforts, the North American French connection plot continues to thicken.