Couple of good new Cajun releases I'm listening to.

Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys - Grand Isle Stalwart (he's part of Lil Band O Gold too but wasn't in the line up when they were out here last), plus CC Adcock on as producer for the familiar sounds plus an intense rocking-attitude.

There are a couple of songs (apparently, they're in French) about the Gulf oil spill, this being a major theme reinforced by the oily bird on the front cover. Embarrassingly, I didn't recognise it was an oiled-up bird until I read it in an interview; I just thought it was Artistic. My only disappointment was the version of "Non, je ne regrette rien" which I thought they could have done more Cajun-y thingswith; but again I read in an interview it was a deliberate attempt (even getting in vintage equipment) to recreate a 50s sound. So, what do I know.

Jesse Lége, Joel Savoy, and the Cajun Country Revival - The Right Combination
I am really loving this one, a mix of old guard (if you're surname is Savoy or Landry you're basically obliged to be a Cajun player I think) and the Calebd Klauder country band to create a loose and rollicking Cajun sound which emphasises the connections with Gulf Coast honky tonk. You can listen to some here; I really like that version of "Corrina."

(NB if you google them, there is another "Cajun Country Revival" which is a Creedence tribute band rom Queensland .... )

Randy gigs (if one can call symphony orchestra accompanied appearances at the Opera House gigs) next Friday and Saturday and I am much excited. I have a good (=expensive) ticket for one of the nights and a total cheapie up the back for the second. Here's Mr Newtownoer-Than-Thou Tim Freedman bagging Sydney in a Randy article for the Herald Sun. I hope he realises in the "Sydney-Melbourne is like LA-NYC" thing, Sydney is Los Angeles in that formula and, like that's where Randy is from? So like, we win. Shut up, Melbourne.

It will be interesting to gauge the vibe of the place, are they really ready for Randy or are they Sydney Symphony season ticket holders or Toy Story fans?

Also, if you ever wanted to see Denise Drysdale hit on Randy Newman, here is your chance: