Michael Doucet and his newest band, Lacher Prise, celebrate a timeless blend of Acadian music traditions inflected with an eclectic, contemporary mix of swampy soul and infectious grooves. Doucet, who could arguably be called the father of modern Cajun music, started out in Scott, Louisiana, gigging around with his cousin Zachary Richard, then forming Cajun-rock band called Coteau, which pioneered the melding of French-sung Cajun music with contemporary rock stylings. Coteau morphed into the Grammy-winning, world-famous juggernaut known as BeauSoleil avec Michel Doucet, now celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Over the course of his six-decade career, Doucet, a fiddler, singer, and songwriter, has played with many regional and international musical stars outside of BeauSoleil, including touring and recording with the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band and, more recently, with fellow fiddler Tom Rigney. Lacher Prise is his newest solo effort, and is the title of both the band and the debut album. The group includes vocalist and guitarist Sarah Quintana, guitarist Chad VIator, bassist Chris French, and drummer Jim Kolacek, with help from friends including Sarah Dugas (The Duhks), Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa), and Jim Hoke (NRBQ).
“In French, 'Lâcher Prise' means ‘let go’,” Doucet explains on his website. “It’s also a Buddhist term. When it came to making this music, it was just total freedom. The new songs were different from what I typically do, so we formed a group of great people and musicians. I’ve reached a point in my life and career where I can do whatever the hell I want to do. There’s freedom for everybody because of the mutual respect though.” Doucet describes the album’s music as “Les îles Français Zarico”, a description that takes into account an eclectic mix of styles including New Orleans rhythm & blues and Southwest Louisiana rock ‘n roll, as well as his own interpretations of zydeco and Cajun, infused with the intoxicating rhythms of the French Caribbean.’ ”
In addition to winning a shelf-load of awards, including two Grammys, Doucet is also a 2005 recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the country’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Fun fact: He is also a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist.
