GIVE THE FIDDLER SOME

David Greely of Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys is a mad genius, magic fiddling man. Like some cultural scientist conducting precious musical experiments in a secret laboratory, his new CD, "Sud du Sud," explores the finer elements of Cajun and Creole music — the subtleties of which would easily get lost in the Cajun bars and dancehalls. In it he mines a cappella ballads, poetic narratives, intricate waltzes for a wealth of emotion and nuance. Filled with original compositions that go back to back with themes based on classic Cajun tunes, it's a sophisticated journey. Buy it at Barnes & Noble or DavidGreely.com
- Dege Legg, the Lafayette LA Independent, 7-01-09