The Revelers
Album: Get Ready
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.revelersband.com

When I saw the cover, my first thoughts were that this was going to be some sort of retro R&B album. Those familiar with the Lafayette scene would have immediately known otherwise. Headed up by accordionist and chief songwriter Blake Miller, this six piece outfit is a leading light on the Cajun scene, each member having been involved on seven Grammy-nominated projects by such names as Linda Ronstadt, Steve Riley and Cedric Watson.

Formed five years ago, this is their third album and, they say, sees the band settling into their own style and sound with a collection that guitarist Chas Justus describes as pretty much "a Louisiana jukebox", a goodtime cocktail of Cajun, zydeco and 50s swamp rock, four of which, penned by Miller, are sung in French (and the most Cajun of the set), including album bookends Toi, tu veux pus de moi (You Don't Want Me Anymore) with its touch of ska and some honking sax from The Chris Miller and the equally frisky Ayou on va danser? (Where Are We Going Dancing?) as well as the waltzing Pus whiskey (No More Whiskey) and the vintage honky tonk styled Just un tit brin (Just A Little Bit) with its fiddle, accordion and Chet Atkins styled guitar instrumental break mid-section.

Three of his fellow band members also get to provide two numbers a piece. Fiddle player and guitarist Daniel Coolik shares credits with Kelli Jones-Savoy on the 50s soul n swing Play It Straight (more fat sax from Miller) and band drummer Glenn Fields, who also takes vocals, on doo wop ballad Being Your Clown. Bassist Eric Frey (like Miller, Coolik and Fields, a former member of the Red Stick Ramblers) contributes the Tex-Mex broken-heart ballad In The Proof featuring a Miller sax solo and the 50s swamp pop doo wop swayer Just When I Thought I Was Dreaming, and Memphis-born guitarist Chas Justus holds up his end writing and singing the zydeco retro soul-pop Outta Sight and the equally late 50s rock n roll pop of Single Jeans with its buzzing guitar and echoes of Doug Sahm. Clearly very much one for the genre market, but equally enjoyable even if you've never been to a fais do-dos in your life. These guys are the Mavericks of Louisiana.

Mike Davies