Yn offerynnol mae'r band yn cynnwys ffidil, acordion, gitâr, bâs a drymiau/triongl. Mae'r mwyafrif o'r caneuon erbyn hyn yn y Gymraeg gyda rhywfaint mewn Saesneg a Ffrangeg. Mae aelodau'r band gyda blynyddoedd lawer o brofiad o chwarae cerddoriaeth "roots" ac maent yn aml wedi cael eu dewis fel unigolion neu fel grwp i gefnogi atistiaid o Louisiana sydd yn chwarae yma. Mae rhain yn cynnwys artistiaid "Blues" fel Lazy Lester a Phil Guy, atistiaid Cajun fel Sheryl Cormier, Cory McCauley a Balfa Toujours, a'r dyn "Toot-Toot" ei hyn, y seren Zydeco Rockin Sidney. Mae aelodau'r band hefyd yn gweithio gyda Bayou Seco pan mae nhw'n teithio Prydain.
Mae'r band wedi ehangu eu dilyniant gyda perfformiadau mewn nifer o wyliau drwy Brydain a Ewrop yn cynnwys Gwyl Pontardawe, Gwyl Cajun a Zydeco Gloucester (dwywaith), Gwyl Louisiana Bury, Gwyl Byd Dun Laoghaire, Gwyl Interceltic Lorient yn Llydaw (dairgwaith) a
Gwyl Cajun a Zydeco Raamsdonksveer yn yr Iseldiroedd.
Yng Ngwobrau Cajun a Zydeco Ewropeaidd cyntaf yn 2004 cafodd eu CD "Y Fforiwr" ei enwebu fel CD gorau a cafodd Neil Browning ei enwebu fel Chwaraewr Acordion Cajun gorau.
Yn ôl adref yng Nghymru mae Cajuns Denbo yn wynebau cyfarwydd mewn amryw o'r prif wyliau. Nhw yw'r unig fand i gau Nos Sadwrn yn Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau ddwywaith, gyda eu perfformiad yn 2000 yn cael ei wylio gan gynulleidfa o tua 10,000 o bobol ac hefyd yn cael ei ddarlledu yn fyw ar radio a theledu. Maent wedi chwarae Gwyl Werin y Cnapan, Gwyl Cil-y-Cwm, Gwyl Rhuthun, Gwyl Criccieth a nifer o wyliau eraill trwy Gymru. Mae Cajuns Denbo wedi ymddangos ar theledu a radio ddwsinau o weithiau tros y blynyddoed gan gynnwys itemau ddiweddar ar "Y Sioe Gelf" a "Wedi 7" am y CD newydd "Dwy Daith".
Tros y blynyddoedd mae Cajuns Denbo wedi mynd o nerth i nerth. Mae'r gerddoriaeth wedi ehangu gan gymeryd i fewn dylanwadau ac offerynnau newydd, ond heb golli eu gwreiddiau a'i teimlad am gerddoriaeth Cajun a Zydeco sy'n gwneud i'r traed symud ac yn codi'r ysbryd.
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![[Dwy Daith album cover]](pics/DwyDaith50.jpg)
"O'r gyntaf i'r olaf o'r 15 trac ar Dwy Daith - CD ddiweddaraf Cajuns Denbo - mae'r band dawnus hwn yn cynnal eich diddordeb. Mae 'na bob math o ddylanwadau i'w clywed arni o roc a soul i ganu gwlad a blues, a'r cyfan wedi ei osod ar seiliau grymus cajun a zydeco - cangen o gerddoriaeth cajun sy'n defnyddio elfennau o'r blues ac R&B.
Mae'n dweud llawer am y band fod perfformwyr o safon a statws Chip Taylor ymhlith y gwesteion ar "Dwy Daith" - trydydd CD y band o ardal Bangor. Chip yw awdur y gan "Wild Thing" a anfarwolwyd gan y Troggs, a'r gan enwog "Angel of the Morning". Ond mae'n canu yn Gymraeg ar gyfieithiad o'i gan ef ei hun ar yr albym yma, tra bod ei bartner cerddorol, Carrie Rodriguez yn canu a chwarae'r ffidil ar y trac.
Mae gweddill y caneuon naill ai'n gyfieithiadau neu'n draciau gwreiddiol. Mi fedrwch chi gael y cerddorion gorau yn y byd i gyd-chwarae'n berffaith, ond dydi hynny ddim yn golygu y bydd y cyfanwaith yn gweithio. Mae 'na elfen angenrheidiol arall tuag at greu albym dda, ac efallai mai'r gair "Hwyl" sy'n cyfleu hynny orau. Drwyddi draw mae safon uchel y chwarae yn amlwg iawn. Ond nid yw'n colli'r elfen holl bwysig honno. Ac er fod popeth yn dynn mae 'na deimlad "byw" i'r holl beth, ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth i'w groesawu, yn enwedig os ydach chi wedi gweld y band yn fyw erioed.
Mae Sam Lock yn cael swn gwych ar ei gitarau, ac mae'r uned gefn - Owen Hughes ar y drymiau a John Wilce ar y bas yn asio'n berffaith. Ond acordion Neil Browning, sy'n chwaraewr anhygoel, a ffidlo solat Pete Walton, sy'n gyrru'r holl beth yn ei flaen. Sylfaen gref i Dennis Carr ychwanegu ei brif lais. Ac am lais ydi o hefyd. Mae'n hawdd clywed dylanwadau arwyr Dennis yn ei ganu - Sam Cooke, Otis Redding a chewri soul cyffelyb. Mae'n arbennig o amlwg ar "Oil dwi'n weld yw poen", a "Pete's Eats" - can i'r caffi enwog yn Llanberis, lle mae Dennis yn byw."
Tudur Huws Jones, 'Yr Herald Cymraeg'
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"Dyma gyflwyno Dwy Daith gan Cajuns Denbo sy'n llawn o ganeuon sionclyd yn syth o Ardal Louisiana yn yr Unol Daleithau. Ceir rhythmau cyffrous a heintus y diwylliant Cajun a Zydeco, traciau sy'n dangos eu gwreiddiau yn y Felan (Blues), ac ambell i drac yn arddull Canu Gwlad a chân draddodiadol Gymreig.
Er nad wyf wedi bod yn rhy hoff o ganu gwlad yn y gorffennol, rwy'n teimlo bod yr albym hon wedi 'i saernio yn gelfydd iawn. Fel arfer, teimlaf nad yw cyfieithiadau yn gwneud daioni â'r stwff gwreiddiol, ond er bod digon o gyfieithiadau yma, mi alla'i faddau iddynt am hynny am fod trefniant y gerddoriaeth yn dynn a gwahanol, yn rhoi eu dehongliad eu hunain i'r alawon, gyda chefnogaeth artistiaid talentog adnabyddus fei Carrie Rodriguez a Jock Tyldesley.
Mae Cajuns Denbo wedi creu trefniant safonol o La Danse de Mardi Gras sydd yn cynnwys elfennau gwerinol Cymreig trwy'r ffidil. I'r gwrthwyneb, wedyn, maent wedi creu trefniant canu Cajun o Wrth Fynd Hefo Deio i Dywyn, sy'n eithaf clyfar. Ceir rhai caneuon gwreiddiol, hefyd, fel Pete's Eats, sy'n canu am y caffi enwog i gerddwyr yn Llanberis. Ceir defnydd eang o offerynnau cynhenid Cajun a thraddodiadol, fel sy'n arferiad diweddar mewn cerddoriaeth Gymreig, gan droi yn ôl at offerynnau traddodiadol fel y banjo, accordion, bwswci, mandolin a Hammond, - cyfoeth o offerynnau sy'n ychwanegu at y naws Ffrengig-Americanaidd.
Mae'n amlwg fod Cajuns Denbo wedi mynd ati'n ofalus i greu cyfanwaith o gerddoriaeth fyw, fywiog, gyda'u trefniant yn rhoi eu stamp dihafal eu hunan ar y gerddoriaeth."
Deian ap Rhisiart, 'Y Cymro'
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"I didn't understand a word of it, but it sounded brilliant!"
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Cajuns Denbo - Dwy Daith ![[logo pump seren]](logos/5_stars_web.gif)
"Welsh Cajun music that really does work"
"The tempo is up beat, the energy infectious, and the talent enormous.......
Perhaps we should invent a new word for the new music that results from this unlikely marriage? .........
Their unique sound seems organic and is highly original........
The album DWY DAITH is an excellent amalgam of (these) different styles, although firmly anchored in Cajun.
Although the language on the album is Welsh, this should not put people off. Most Cajun is in French, which I can't speak either...... I commend the album to you and I can't wait to see them live."
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"Now listen! For many, this may require a "leap of faith", but, believe me, it WILL be worth it! This is the third album in a ten year career by a great (mainly) Welsh-language Cajun/Zydeco band from the mountainous Snowdonia region of North Wales. If you're immediately on the back foot because you don't speak Welsh, then remember you (probably) don't speak Cajun either! Since when did that spoil your enjoyment of the music? As it happens, the Welsh language is FAR more compatible with the linguistic and musical rhythms of Cajun/Zydeco than is English.
This is a storming pot-pourri (OK! OK! Howsabout "gumbo"?) of stomping Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp Soul, Blues and much more. It says a lot for the band that they can pull in some pretty influential "friends" to help out on the sessions - anyone for Chip "Wild Thing" Taylor singing backing vox in Welsh? They treat songs by several quality writers - Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Steve Earle, Dirk Powell (of Balfa Toujours), their own originals, the odd Cajun standard, and even a Welsh traditional song, with equal enthusiasm and alacrity.
Musicianship is of the VERY highest standard - and the vocals of Dennis Carr have more than a smattering of the great Roger "Family man" Chapman. Even if you don't know your froittoir from your femur, frankly, you can't go wrong! Put this on the player, kick off your shoes - and enjoy!"
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![[thumbs up logo]](logos/thumbsUpSMALL.gif) "Bangor Bayou Boys dispel initial scepticism of the Cajun-in-Welsh concept with tight and well-played forays into several Louisiana styles, including chunky zydeco and swamp rock as well as the more obvious fiddle'n'accordion stuff, plus interesting one-offs."
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"Seal of Approval - CAJUNS DENBO: Every once in a while, an album comes along that just flips everything on its head; this is one of those albums. A wonderful melange of cajun, roots and electric blues, blended with Welsh language lyrics. Smily music with soul. Bet they're great 'live'..."
Dave Hill, Radio CCAD
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"The cold winters, and not so cold summers, of Eryri is not a place that automatically springs to mind as a hotbed for cajun roots music, usually associated with the Deep South. But the third album by Cajuns Denbo, from Bangor, is proof that anything is possible with a bit of imagination and a lot of talent. In all honesty I would have said last week that this type of music really wasn't my scene, but having listened to Dwy Daith - a collection of 15 songs - a couple of times I have been converted.
What makes this band different is they sing in Welsh instead of French, the language usually associated with this sort of music. They very successfully combine instruments you would expect of this genre - violins, accordions and banjo with traditional Welsh instruments such as the pibgorn. There is also a mixture of original and traditional pieces, as well as some surprises such as a cajun version of Wrth Fynd Hefo Deio i Dywyn and a hymn of praise to Pete's Eats cafe in Llanberis.
Despite what the kids might tell you, I'm sure this is the real dance music. Even the most cynical can't stop their foot tapping to the rhythm. Then your head starts bobbing and before you know it you really feel the urge to get up and dance.
I would imagine they would be a great band to see live as I picture a room full of sweaty bodies frantically dancing to wonderful bouncy numbers such as Bosco Stomp and Dagrau yn Disgyn. Another highlight for me was Paid â Difaru which made me ponder once again why the Welsh words for love and regret have to rhyme.
If you're looking for something a bit different, I would recommend a listen."
Sarah Marion Jones, 'Holyhead Mail'
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"For my money, this is the most satisfying Denbo outing to date...
... the shakeup given to Wrth Fynd Hefo Deio i Dywyn with Crasdant's Andy McLauchlin guesting on pibgorn is an unmissable treat. And on a hearty rendition of La Danse de Mardi Gras there's one concession to the vrai son, next to a moving, Cambrianised version of Steve Earle's The Mountain (Y Mynydd). Verdict: a fitting souvenir of a Cajuns Denbo gig, and a damn good party record."
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KBCS (Washington State) radio DJs Select Favorite CDs of 2005
Sean Donovan - "Eh Toi!"
Lost Bayou Ramblers: "Bayou Perdu" Swallow
Big Red & the Zydeco Playmakers: "Secret Ingredients" Maison de Soul
Bluerunners: "Honey Slides" Bayou Vista
Buckwheat Zydeco: "Jackpot!" Tomorrow Recordings
Chris Ardoin & NuStep: "Sweat" www.chrisardoin.com
Rosie Ledet: "Pick It Up" Maison de Soul
Cajuns Denbo: "Dwy Daith" Joscyn
Hadley J. Castille: "Refait" Swallow
Morris Ardoin with Dennis Stroughmatt: "Le Tracas de Morris" Flat Town Music
Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band: "Going to See Keith Frank" Soulwood Records
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![[Y Fforiwr album cover]](pics/fforiwrTINY.jpg) Cajuns Denbo - Y Fforiwr (2000)
"Fancy a bit of welsh Cajun in your CD collection? Well, that's exactly what you will find on the Cajuns Denbo CD Y Fforiwr (The Explorer). The group was formed after a visit by drummer Owen Hughes to Louisiana ten years ago. After hearing Cajun music he added accordion and fiddle to the band he was performing with and found that the Welsh language fitted perfectly to this style of music and appealed greatly to Welsh audiences. This then is their second recording for the Sain label. So to the music.
There is a mixture of songs from the traditional Hen Joe Clark and Colinda, a take on Ted Hawkins' Watch Your Step and Fats Domino's Before I Grow Too Old, to original compositions from singer Dennis Carr, guitarist Sam Lock and multi instrumentalist Pete Walton. The material is well arranged and tightly played, the accordion of Neil Browning shining throughout. Dennis Carr's voice compliments the material superbly and this is a highly enjoyable album. A good festival band if ever I heard one."
Stevie Lawrence, 'Traditional Music Maker'
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![[Stompio album cover]](pics/stompioTINY.jpg) Cajuns Denbo - Stompio (1996)
"Yes, it's right chum. What you thought is exactly what this is. Welsh Cajun? Why not? They're bloody good too. If it wasn't for the fact that they're singing about the swamps in Welsh, or at other times singing about Welsh things in a Cajun style, then you'd swear these were Louisiana good al boys.
In truth they're from Bangor, but they've got to be one of the foot-stompiest outfits doing the rounds. And don't you just love the way they've adapted that title? They also adapt - fairly freely it has to be said - Boozoo Chavis, Michael Doucet, D.L. Menard and Dewey Balfa, the most recognisable melodies being Balfa's Tit Galop and Diggy Diggy Lo, both fine bon temps stuff. A two-fiddle attack and wheezy accordion mark out a band who really know what they're about and want an individual sound quickly as possible. Ideal for your festival or plain made for any old party or knees up you may just be planning."
Simon Jones, 'Traditional Music Maker'
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Mae "Dwy Daith" ar gael ar Recordiau Joscyn:
(cliciwch yma am wybodaeth pellach am yr albym a thraciau i lwytho i lawr)
"They were a revelation. Their sound is a mixture of Cajun and traditional music in a brilliant and exciting format; any organiser looking to book a new band could not go far wrong with this group." FOLK NORTH WEST
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![[band live]](pics/bandlive.jpg)
