Similar Artists:
Zydecajun,
Cajun Gold ,
Sidney Babineaux ,
John Delafose,
Michael Doucet,
The Eunice Playboys ,
The Balfa Brothers,
Clifton Chenier,
Dewey Balfa,
D.L. Menard
- Active: '90s
- Genres: World
- Instrument: Vocals, Arranger
- Representative Albums: "Paul Daigle-Robert Elkins & Cajun Gold
Biography
Accordion player Paul Daigle recorded a handful of albums during the late '80s with one of the leading Cajun outfits of the day, Cajun Gold. He moved on about a decade later to perform and record with the traditional Cajun band Savoir Faire. Daigle and rhythm guitarist Robert Elkins founded Cajun Gold, and the group recorded for Swallow Records, a label based in the Louisiana town of Ville Platte. Daigle made a fine showing on five of the band's releases, beginning in 1985 with The Cajun Experience, and ending the group's run five years later with Est-Ce Que Tu Pleur? Swallow followed up in 1996 with a compilation of the band's best efforts titled The Essential Collection. The group played frequently in Louisiana nightspots and also performed for audiences overseas, including stops in Denmark and China. Other members of Cajun Gold included rhythm guitarist Mark Latiolais and fiddler Ken Smith. Daigle and Latiolais each contributed lead vocals at various times. Daigle dropped out of Cajun Gold when he became unhappy with the stress of juggling nighttime gigs and daytime employment, as is frequently the case for many Cajun artists.His first recording with Savoir Faire, Savoir Faire Avec Paul Daigle, appeared in 1999. His performance on the debut release garnered a nod from the Le Cajun Awards, given out by the Cajun French Music Association, for the Accordionist of the Year. The group as a whole earned a Band of the Year nomination. Among Savoir Faire's members are drummer Mark Edmonson, vocalist and fiddler Dennis Boudreaux, and acoustic guitarist Walt Farr. As he did during his time with Cajun Gold, Daigle also contributed vocals to Savoir Faire. Daigle, who hails from Point Noir, LA, began triumphing with his accordion in competitions held in the town of Church Point during his teen years. One of his earliest inspirations was Wilson Leger, an uncle who was quite accomplished on the accordion but who never recorded. ~ Linda Seida, All Music Guide
