Bois Sec Ardoin With Balfa Toujours - Allons Danser

changemachine

Review by Shengxiao Yu

Allons Danser by Bois Sec Ardoin with Balfa Toujours: A Cajun Riot You Can’t Ignore Let’s cut to the chase. Allons Danser isn’t just another folk album—it’s a sweaty, foot-stomping brawl of zydeco and Cajun grit that punches you in the gut and makes you grin while doing it. Released back in ’98 on Rounder Records, this thing is raw, real, and dripping with Louisiana soul. If you’re looking for polished pop nonsense, keep walking. But if you want music that feels like it crawled straight out of a bayou juke joint, this is your jam. First off, let’s talk about “Allons Danser (Let’s Dance).” Holy crap, does this track slap. From the second Bois Sec Ardoin’s accordion kicks in, you’re hooked. It’s not fancy—it’s dirty, messy, and alive. The rhythm hits like a freight train, and Steve Riley’s drums stomp so hard you can practically smell the sawdust on the floor. This song grabs you by the collar and screams, “Move!” I don’t care if you’ve got two left feet; you will shuffle to this one. It’s impossible not to. Then there’s “La Valse De Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie Waltz),” which flips the vibe but hits just as hard. This ain’t no sappy waltz—it’s haunting as hell. Dirk Powell’s fiddle weaves through the tune like smoke curling around an old porch light. And Bois Sec? Dude’s vocals sound like he’s lived a thousand lives and lost most of them. When that melody creeps into your brain, it doesn’t leave. Ever. You’ll find yourself humming it at 3 a.m., wondering why you suddenly feel homesick for a place you’ve never even been. The whole crew here kills it—Christine Balfa’s guitar work is sharp enough to shave with, Kevin Wimmer adds layers of fire with his fiddle, and Powell’s production keeps everything tight without sucking the life out of it. Even the liner notes feel like they were written by someone who actually gives a damn. But here’s the kicker: Allons Danser isn’t just music—it’s a time machine. Listening to it feels like crashing a party where everyone knows each other except you, and somehow, you still belong. Tracks like “Lacassine Special” and “Sundown Special” rip along with such energy you half expect someone to yell “Pass the gumbo!” mid-song. So yeah, this album’s a beast. It’s rough edges and wild heart make it unforgettable. Honestly, after spinning this record, I started questioning why more music doesn’t sound like it was recorded in somebody’s backyard under a string of broken Christmas lights. Maybe the world needs less polish and more mud. Or maybe I’m just drunk on accordions now. Either way, Allons Danser slaps harder than most albums you’ll hear this year—or any year. Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth, blast this album at ‘em. They’ll either surrender immediately or start dancing. No joke.

Table of Contents

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Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Allons Danser (Let's Dance)3:26
La Valse De Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie Waltz)4:01
Quoi Faire (Why?)3:16
La Valse Des Mèches (The Waltz Of The Swamps)3:00
Allons Danser (Un Autre Petit Bout) (Let's Dance: Another Little Bit)1:38
La Valse De 'Tit Maurice (The Waltz Of 'Tit Maurice)2:48
Sundown Special3:16
Jongle À Moi (Think Of Me)3:24
Chère Toutoute4:00
Fais Pas Tout Ça (Don't Do All That)2:56
La Valse À Austin Pitre (Austin Pitre's Waltz)3:12
La Robe Barrée (The Striped Dress)3:27
Duralde Ramble4:08
La Valse De Quatre-Vingt-Dix-Neuf Ans (The Ninety-Nine Year Waltz)4:41
Le Fond De Culottes (The Seat Of The Pants)2:25
Dimanche Après-Midi (Sunday Afternoon)3:23
Lacassine Special3:26

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Catalog Numbers

CD 6081

Labels

Rounder Records

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Formats

  • CD
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Phonographic Copyright (p)Rounder Records Corp.
Copyright (c)Rounder Records Corp.
Recorded AtOkra Gumbo Productions
Mastered AtAirshow Mastering, Springfield, VA

Credits

RoleCredit
AccordionAlphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin
VocalsAlphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin
BassDirk Powell
TriangleDirk Powell
DesignJoanna Bodenweber
DrumsSteve Riley (tracks: 1, 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17)
EngineerLester Broussard
Mixed ByLester Broussard
FiddleDirk Powell (tracks: 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15), Kevin Wimmer (tracks: 1, 3, 5 to 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17)
GuitarChristine Balfa
Mastered ByDavid Glasser (tracks: 17), Toby Mountain
Photography ByMarla Powell, Nick Spitzer, Rick Olivier
ProducerDirk Powell
Liner NotesDirk Powell

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 0 11661-6081-2 2
  • Label Code: LC 3719

About Bois Sec Ardoin With Balfa Toujours

Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin (November 16, 1915, in l'Anse de 'Prien Noir, Louisiana, USA - May 16, 2007 in Eunice, Louisiana, USA) was a Creole and zydeco accordionist and vocalist. He developed early a musical partnership with Canray Fontenot, until his death in 1995. They played together as the Duralde Ramblers. In the 1970s, Ardoin also led the Ardoin Family Band (or Orchestra) that included his sons and Fontenot. Ardoin and his wife, Marscline had 14 children. Amédé Ardoin was Alphonse's cousin.

Real Name

    • Alphonse Ardoin

Name Vars

  • \
  • Ardoin
  • Alfonse \
  • Alphonse \
  • Bois-Sec
  • Bois-Sec Ardoin
  • Bois-sec
  • Boisec
  • Boisec Ardoin

Aliases

  • Alphonse Ardoin

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s an interesting fact: The album *Allons Danser* by Bois Sec Ardoin with Balfa Toujours is a beautiful mix of Zydeco and Cajun music, two styles deeply rooted in Louisiana's culture. What makes it special is how it brings generations together—Bois Sec Ardoin, a legendary accordionist and singer, collaborated with younger musicians like Dirk Powell, who played multiple instruments, produced the album, and even designed parts of it. It’s like a musical family reunion captured on record. And fun detail: the track "Sundown Special" was mastered by two different people, which doesn’t happen often!