To celebrate their twentieth year the Lost Bayou Ramblers went big by releasing a documentary On Va Continuer! and an accompanying live album ASTEUR as they revel in their past but point towards the future via a mix of western swing, avant-garde sounds and of course their classic Cajun style. Recorded at a host of different venues around New Orleans including Tipitinas and Preservation Hall, the live record captures the bands unique traditional/experimental ways.
The rumbling “Steh” kicks off the hoedown as slamming drums from Kirkland Middleton propel the six-piece forward while the fiddles, guitars and accordions get loose to lead the way on the combo “Bosco Stomp / New Iberia Haircut”. The traditional love song “Si J’Auraus Des Ailes” marching “Cote Clair” and soaring “Rice Pump” are all sung with gusto as Louis Michot hits the high notes around the bouncing bass of Bryan Webre.
The Grammy Winners continue the Cajun musical tradition but can also switch up the sound as the guitars of Eric Heigle, Jonny Campos and the lap steel of Andre Michot pump the psychedelic noise rock for the wild “Freetown Crawl / Fighten’ville Brawl” during a mid album freak out.
The stomping “Granny Smith” complete with added percussion, the warbling “Kalenda” and especially the haunting trio of “Tune Up” into “Dana Les Pins” into “Vermilion Vortex” display the groups experimental/hypnotic vibe while mixing in the blues; keeping the sound fresh as the strictly cajun playing can become repetitive. An example is “Hwy 90” during which streets are just getting called out, but the fiddles sound so good on numbers like “Amede Choupique” and “Tous Les Matins” that repetition can also be incredibly sweet.
Wrapping up with the subdued “Les Mardi Gras” the band ends the live album on a mellow note as they get ready for twenty more years mixing cutting edge sounds and traditional Cajun playing.
