Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys make their first appearance in the area on Wednesday 24 July at Biddulph Town Hall in an event given the title “Biddulph By the Bayou”. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys are considered to be one of the best Cajun bands in the world and with no less than four Grammy nominations to their credit, including their latest release “Grand Isle” this is certainly a coupe for the Biddulph Festival as they embark on a ten date UK tour. . The guy in the middle, Steve Riley, holds a button-box that squeezes like an accordion, but shouts hallelujah like a big brass band. The fiddle cracks wise and warm, the guitar falls off the edge of the earth, and the rhythm section is purring rumble like a Coupe DeVille of shark-fin vintage. It all flows as a liquid-smooth groove, topped with three heartfelt voices harmonizing in 17th-century French from the steamy sub-tropics. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys began over twenty years ago with a reputation for excellence. Their stunningly clean and cohesive performance of Cajun French music from the backwaters of Southwest Louisiana propelled them into the world music limelight early on, and by their third release, Trace of Time, had garnered them a Grammy nomination in the worldwide field of traditional folk music, another in 2004 for Bon Reve, in 2009 for Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and again in 2011 for their latest release, Grand Isle. From the day they started, they have gone from strength to strength. Never before in Cajun music has a comparable wealth of skills been brought to the same table. When all that heart and all that skill focus on the revelry of a hot two-step, then turn on a dime and deliver an a cappella ballad, then play something that sounds like Howlin’ Wolf fell in lust with a Creole girl, you’ve found the most Cajun music you can find in any one spot. You’ve found Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. The band consists of: Steve Riley, of Mamou Louisiana, is a widely acknowledged master of the Cajun accordion and its singularly powerful sound. There has never been an official competition among Cajun accordionists. Whenever a contest does arise, Steve Riley usually wins it, or judges it. Despite the lack of official metrics or quantifying factors, it remains true that most people think Steve is the best there is, and very few would argue the point. His playing is a standard by which timing, phrasing and ingenuity are measured on the royal instrument of South Louisiana. That, combined with his searing, emotional vocals, songwriting, soulful fiddling and onstage front man charisma have led many to refer to the band simply as “Steve Riley.” The evening, which has a 7.30 p.m. start with a Cajun Dance Workshop lead by Sylvia Heath also has a “Bring Your Own Drinks policy”, Cajun dancing is easy to learn and fun to do, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what you do. People can either listen or dance it doesn’t matter its about enjoying yourself. Tickets are £12 and can be obtained from organiser Eric Cox on 01782 514896.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:43:20 +0000