Elridge Aguillard, Instrumental Cajun Fiddling (Acadiana Records)

For the past 55 years, Eunice’s Elridge Aguillard has been playing Cajun fiddle and doing it well. With such a legacy, his musical resume lists practically everyone in the area, from regular bands to fill-in gigs whenever a favor was asked. Though he’s currently with Donald Fontenot’s Les Amis de la Louisianne and recently was honored as CFMA’s fiddler of the year, this instrumental affair brings to light why Aguillard is highly sought after. Without the masking fanfare of accordions, steel guitars and chest-pounding drums, the listener hears every note, feels every intricate detail and visualizes every bow stroke of Aguillard’s playing. There’s a light accompaniment of acoustic guitar and bass as he plays with the right amount of dressing through a set of familiar standards. Additionally, there’s a few less-covered gems like “T’ai Petite Et Tai Meon” from J.B. Fuselier, “Tolan Waltz” from Chuck Guillory and a bluegrass adaptation labeled here as “Tate Cove Hop.” Overall, it’s a novel idea that works.