Review: Lost Bayou Ramblers, and Cecilia, at Music Haven; Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

What Cajun band rocks the Who’s “My Generation” – in French – and quotes Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”?

Just one: The Lost Bayou Ramblers; south Louisiana’s deep-rooted, gloriously noisy, electro-acoustic crew. They rang down the curtain at Music Haven Sunday in a happy haze of folkloric fiddle and accordion, plugged-in bass and guitars, even more plugged-in synthesizers, solid and steady drums and high, plaintive voice.

Above: Lost Bayou Ramblers onstage at Music Haven. Below: openers Cecilia trio plays at sunset.

First, the recorded walk-in music sounded a strong Louisiana welcome: Dr. John funk, Professor Longhair’s whistling and punchy piano in the anthemic “Tipitina,” more Dr. John.

Then the trio Cecilia showed where Cajun music came from in French Canada before the ethnic cleansing mourned in “Evangeline.” 

Cecilia cherished musical connections not only between Acadian (Canadian) and Cajun (Louisiana) but between us and neighbors to our north now. They exported these sounds to us, without tariff, but with grinning glee and virtuoso skill. Folk reels and dances spun fast, faster, then really fast; fiddler Tom Fitzgerald and accordionist Timi Turmel racing in vintage riffs as Erin Leahy’s piano pushed the beat. 

Above, Cecilia, from left: Louis Schryer, fiddle; Timi Turmel; Erin Leahy. Below: Eric Leahy

She took over to hail American music in dazzling ragtime romps including Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” all in a hot honky-tonk rush. Their Canadian dance material only slowed for the sweet waltz “Homage A Dorothee,” sincere and warm. Then Leahy came forward to step-dance, flying feet and spirits, before they updated the spunky energy of their antique sources with a fun take on current trends in unlikely search of an accordion pop hit.

Above: Tom Fitzgerald; below: Timi Turel

This worked as comedy, even better as uplifting music of undeniable structural strength and fun energy.

In the break, after presentations and season-end musings, Music Haven presenting artistic director Mona Golub quoted World Cafe’s David Dye’s description of the headlining Lost Bayou Ramblers, given as half-joking warning: “The Grammy winning group plays a revved-up version of Cajun music, shot through with punk energy and psychedelic fuzz.”

Correct.

The Lost Bayou Ramblers, from left: Korey Rich, Bryan Webre, Kirkland Middleton, Louis Michot, Andre Michot and Johnny Campos

They acknowledged their Acadian/Cajun musical kinship with Cecilia, started strong with an instrumental two-step, sang two songs in English – “Don’t Shake My Tree” and “Stay” – then erased and re-drew North America’s musical map.

Above: Louis Michot; below: Johnny Campos

An amiable host, high-voiced, flaming fast on fiddle – sometimes held low on his arm like Doug Kershaw – rocking a jumpsuit just right for the feed store, Louis Michot stepped up on Kirkland Middleton’s kick drum in “Stay” and jumped down without missing a note. Across the stage, guitarist Johnny Campos sported the most superb sideburns this side of 1969 and a fat Gibson at times plugged into an electronic zoo of roars, wails and growls.

Steady, workmanlike, Louis’s brother Andre played accordion and lap steel, sometimes in the same song, while bassist Korey Rich also played guitar, synthesizer or electronic drums and acoustic guitarist Bryan Webre doubled on electronic drums; also acoustic drums when Middleton switched to the electronic, virtual kit or triangle.

Above: Andre Michot; below: Korey Rich

Above: Bryan Webre, wearing his guitar, pick between his teeth, playing synthesizer; below: drummer Kirkland Middleton

When an artist’s recordings* include numerous live sets, it’s a good sign; they believe they can kick ass. The Lost Bayou Ramblers’ releases do, and they did Sunday.

In “Blues De Bernadette,” a surging electric throb framed conventional accordion and fiddle runs, accompanying but not taking over and adroitly balancing old and new. “O Bebe” drew fans into a chant-along and dancers bopped, zigged and zagged like a hot night at Rock ’N’ Bowl. 

They sounded authentic, folkloric when they played it straight; their graceful, melancholy “Gueydan Waltz” could have come from decades ago. When a later waltz faded into a sparse feedback space–out, they jumped decades back into fusion-jazz musings.

They shape-shifted often. In “Granny Smith Waltz” from their Grammy-winning “Kalenda” album, Middletown swapped drums for triangle, Rich traded bass for acoustic guitar, Webre jumped on the drums while the Michot brothers and Campos stayed put. The majestic “O Marie,” a Daniel Lanois cover, respectful at first , erupted into guitar noise that rose, peaked and faded. “I think you’ll know it,” promised Louis before punk-style singing “My Generation” in French as Rich’s bass went all John Entwistle. 

“One More!” agreed Louis and Golub so they revved up “Louisiana Aces Special” in tribute to D.L. Menard who led his Louisiana Aces band in a Golub-produced (1994?) Washington Park show. A two-step blitz provided a big finish.

* The LBR’s 13 recordings include not only some live sets but a benefit for flood relief, a collaboration with the Louisiana Symphony Orchestra, a film soundtrack, even an Hawaiian project.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE

While the Lost Bayou Ramblers wrapped Music Haven’s Central Park live concerts for 2026, the non-profit presenter screens the film “Song Sung Blue” on Friday, August. 28. Food service and recorded music (spun by archivists/DJ Rochmon Music Club) starts at 6:30 p.m.; film showing at dusk.

Then, Music Haven’s Passport Series with Proctors Collaborative begins Sept. 24 with Maruja Limon from Catalonia at Proctors GE Theatre and continues Nov, 5 with the Naghash Ensemble from Armenia at Universal Preservation Hall, then Gili Yalo from Ethiopia and Israel back at Proctors GE Theatre on Feb. 4, La Banda Morisca from Spain at Universal Preservation Hall on March 6, and Yacouba Sissoko from West Africa on Apr. 16 at Proctors GE Theatre.

SUMMER SOCIAL

Sunday’s pre-concert Summer Social drew 200 paying diners to the Tom Isabella Picnic Pavilion. Electeds included Gary McCarthy whom I spotted in Jackson Square during Jazz Fest in New Orleans some years back; also Jim Tedisco, Phil Steck and likely more I missed; the place was happily packed. 

Mona Golub addresses the Summer Social throng before Sunday’s Music Haven concert finale.

Mona Golub introduces Music Haven Peter Bednarek

Some pavilion table areas were flooded by the afternoon deluge, but food and beverages flowed efficiently as David Gleason entertained at the piano. 

The event honored new Music Haven Music Maven Peter Bednarek of Wolf Hollow Brewing Company, longtime supplier of brews at Music Haven shows. Fellow longtime supporters Tom and Karen Ambros were honored onstage before showtime. At intermission Golub and Proctors President Jean Leonard touted the 100-year-old venue’s anniversary season and Ian Munro highlighted the Capital Region Scottish Games September 5 at the Altamont Fairgrounds. 

Above: Tom and Karen Ambrose with Mona Golub. Below: Golub introduces Peter Bednarek

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