Les Amies Louisianaises, Le P’tit Chevrolet (Musique Acadienne)

Les Amies Louisianaises, Le P’tit Chevrolet (Musique Acadienne)

The debate over of what is and is not traditional Cajun music will likely rage on until judgment day, but credit Les Amies Louisianaises for putting a fresh spin on things. Unlike most groups that revolve around the accordion-fiddle axis, the Lake Charles-based women’s group is instead a quartet of vocalists who’ve perfected a signature style of tight harmonies. Since they are an outcropping of a church choir, their initial focus was a sacred one that makes for an interesting contrast given its recent foray into the secular world of dancehall Cajun.

With a crack studio squadron led by multi-instrumentalist/producer Chris Miller, Les Amies Louisianaises achieves a delicate blend of resounding, breathtaking vocals with rock-solid dancehall arrangements. The intro to “La Porte D’en Arrière” is particularly inventive; the first verse is rendered a cappella before the band kicks in on the second. Also featured are several originals, including Janet Aguillard’s “Combien de Temps, Seigneur?” a spiritual that’s shrouded in sorrow. Jeannette Aguillard’s “Espère-Moi, Je Vas Revenir” concludes with an unexpected twist, hence an indication of budding songwriting. A refreshing alternative to a folk genre that has historically been rigid in definition.