BeauSoleil Biography
Widely considered to be the pre-eminent Cajun band of the 80s and 90s, BeauSoleil (the capitalized "S" having been added in the 90s) have amassed a substantial discography that features some of the most exciting music extant within the traditional music realm. Rather than contemplate retirement, if anything, their output seems to have increased and intensified during recent years. They were almost entirely responsible for the Cajun music boom of the late 80s when their music was featured extensively in the movie The Big Easy.
Formed in 1975 by musician and songwriter Michael Doucet (4 February 1951, Scott, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA; fiddle/vocals), who had formerly piloted a Cajun group entitled Coteau which he revived in the mid-90s, the regular group additionally comprises brother David Doucet (b. 6 July 1957, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA; guitar/vocals), Tommy Alesi (b. 15 July 1951, San Diego, California, USA; drums), Al Tharp (b. 8 February 1950, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; bass), Billy Ware (b. John William Ware, 26 April 1954, Mobile, Alabama, USA; percussion) and Jimmy Breaux (b. 18 November 1967, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA; accordion). Other prominent members over the years include guitarist Bessyl Duhon (of Riff Raffs fame), while guest collaborators have included artists of the calibre of Richard Thompson, Keith Richards, the Grateful Dead and Augie Meyers. Despite their already vast recorded legacy, BeauSoleil remain predominantly a live attraction, the group having rarely left the road for any extended period during their 25 years together. Bayou Cadillac and Cajun Conja, a collaboration with Thompson that was nominated for a Grammy, are but two stand-out albums in a distinguished recording career. Despite their genre popularity, they have too often had to rely on the recommendations or lip service of others to gain media prominence. For example, they received a major boost in 1991 when Mary-Chapin Carpenter mentioned the group in the lyrics to her hit "Down At The Twist And Shout". The video for the award-winning song prominently featured BeauSoleil themselves. In 1997, the group joined Carpenter for a reprise of the song at the Super Bowl, in New Orleans. Cajunization in 1999 ventured into blues and rock territories.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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