The Pine Leaf Boys

The fabulous Pine Leaf Boys hail from the soggy prairies and bayous of southwest Louisiana and play the traditional Cajun and Creole music of that region with a youthful vitality that gives an extra kick to that already vibrant music. All twentysomethings, the Boys are thoroughly steeped in Louisiana roots, but are already prolific writers and innovators who love to mess with things. On the quintet's latest, Blues De Musicien (Arhoolie), for instance, fiddler Cedric Watson's Creole blues tune "Ma Petite Femme" is goosed by Wilson Savoy's raucous piano pounding and Jon Bertrand's sizzling electric guitar. Watson's scorching version of Canray Fontenot's "Jig Cajin" rocks hard, as does Savoy's "Pine Leaf Boogie," propelled by wild shouts and Bertrand's snaky guitar. Savoy, by the way, who spends most of his time on accordion, is the son of renowned accordionist and accordion maker Marc Savoy and singer/guitarist/author Ann Savoy. Watson has so mastered the nuances of the late fiddle icon Canray Fontenot, as well as some of his mannerisms, that you can almost see Fontenot's trademark grin glittering on Watson's face when he plays.
Sun., Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m., 2007