Search - Iry LeJune :: The Legendary Iry LeJune - Louisiana's Brightest Cajun Star

The ACE disc should be the ONLY disc!

Audio Obscurica | Spectrum of Sound | 08/10/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"To start off, let's get this straight. I give this disc one star not for content, but for it's packaging and the presence of unneeded overdubs. The recordings of Iry LeJeune are a necessary purchase to anyone who loves folk or cajun music. Here you'll find some of the best playing and the best definition of what the music of the Acadians is about. The problem with this release (and other Goldband releases, not just that of LeJeune) is the presence of overdubs. In 1968, to make these recordings more "contemporary" label head Eddie Shuler chose to overdub electric bass onto the recordings. He then issued them as "Legendary Iry LeJeune", in volumes 1 & 2 respectively. The bass in WAY obtrusive and changes the character and mode of the songs drastically. These overdubbed recordings are also comped in another Goldband release identical to this one (one extra track added though) entitled "Louisiana's Brightest Cajun Star". By and large, avoid anything Goldband, as it is shoddy, exploitative product from a label with an excellent catalog of masters. The definitive word on LeJeune's music is Ace's "Cajun's Greatest" disc. No overdubs, plus it has more tracks(!) With this man's music get in touch with some great cajun music or let this be your formal introduction, just get it in another release."