For 1997's V, La Touché have made some changes to their lineup. Nathanael Burkhamer adds some excellent fiddle to the proceedings, while Jeff Lifford shares lead and backup vocals and plays bass. Lifford wrote the first tune on the album, "Louisiana." The song strongly recalls the Outlaws' rendition of "Freeborn Man," but instead of using ferocious lead guitars as the driving force, as the Outlaws did, La Touché use fiddle, accordion, and Nolan Cormier's pedal steel guitar to power "Louisiana." On La Touché's previous albums, the music was tight and rock-steady, and nothing has changed for this record. Wilson Touchet, Eddy Deloney, and Calvin Gaudin have taken two new musicians into their camp, and they not only maintain the quality instrumental sound, but the vocal finesse as well. Burkhamer and Touchet play incredibly well together, complimenting each other repeatedly. This is clearly evident on "Cowboy" and "Johnny Can't Dance," but the finest example has to be "Valse de Grand Mamou." On "Les Haricots Sont Pas Sale's," the Clifton Chenier zydeco anthem, Gaudin shows just what he can do on the drum kit, astonishing and astounding with his expertise, while Lifford contributes some fanciful bass fret work. This classic number has never been more powerful. Aided by awesome guitar playing and the full string sound of the A&R Orchestra, Deloney contributes one of the album's most beautiful melodies on "Thanks," a piece that is sure to gain him the recognition he deserves. La Touché V is simply an amazing album. Each of its 21 tracks is jam-packed with great Cajun music, done by the finest musicians in the business. Don't pass this one up.
© Larry Belanger /TiVo