Cajun Life

Album Review

Jo-El Sonnier, like Jimmy C. Newman, has found a comfortable middle ground between traditional Cajun and contemporary country music, working both styles and achieving a measure of commercial and aesthetic success in each. This session accented the Cajun side, although it included competent country-pop material as well. Besides the autobiographical title track, Sonnier demonstrated his roots facility on "Yes Yeux Bleu," "Jolie Blon," and "Les Grands Bois." Sonnier has gone on to become a bigger name in country, but this earlier date will appeal to both lovers of vintage material and those unaware of his solid Cajun skills and background.