Cajun swing meets Bob Wills.
08/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Harry Choates is a little known American icon of music. His influence on western swing, as well as on later artists ranging from Clifton Chenier to Beausolil is evidenced on this and all cd's by this master cajun musical craftsman. One will hear on this cd, some excellent examples of cajun fiddle music, as well as that style of swing that was popularized in the 40's by such musicians as Bob Wills and Choates himself. Harry supplies vocals on some numbers, most in the Cajun French dialect, some in English. Treat yourself to this cd. This is a chance to hear real folk music being performed by a man who never owned a fiddle in his life, the one he performed with was one he "borrowed" when he was still a teenager in the back woods of Louisiana. Yet Choates weaves melodies with this instrument that are hauntingly beautiful and just downright fun."