Louvat Brothers – “Between the Heart and Reason”

A CD-Review by Eugene O’Brien

The “Louvat Brothers” comprises three excellent and talented musicians; Steve Louvat (banjo) Michel Vrydag (electric bass) and Jeff Cardey (guitar and mandolin). They have their feet in many music genres and have played to audiences all over the world.

This 15-track CD is a very personal set of original compositions, by each of them, that connects with their lives, travels and music.

The kick-off track is the CD title “Between the Heart and Reason” that is one of Steve’s tunes that moves around in tempo and evokes the decision making between what the head dictates and the heart desires. Followed by two more of Steve’s excellent melodies and arrangements. “The Call of the Fisher King” about being in India, and then “A Life Add 9”, a beautiful melody for his son and daughter.

“The Grey Line, by Jeff “ brings is an up-tempo tune that show off his excellence on guitar and brings in guest musician Jefferson Louvat on mandolin and mandola. Tasteful but exciting double mandolin and banjo plus Michel’s bass solo all blends well into a great arrangement. For his son Luc is “Lullaby for Luc“ is almost a cross between jazz and rock and then crosses into a Greek or Russian style, so it is never predictable. Jeff sings the only vocal track ““Hopes and Dreams” which is again his own composition about rekindling new hopes, dreams and motivations for the future when those of today have disappeared. It is well written and fits in well in the track line-up.

Michel is not “just” a bass player, his background in jazz gives him an truly equal role within this trio as a composer and soloist as well as providing the heartbeat for their music. His “De Loecker’s Reel”, blends Irish, Balkan and Indian themes and his tune dedicated to his wife ”Waltz For You” has a haunting theme to it and an arrangement that brings all the instruments together as if they were dancing around each other

To say I am biased towards these guys would be an understatement. I have known them for many years and enjoyed both their music and their company.

They are real brothers in music and seriously good!! 

All the tracks on this CD are worthy of a good listening as much musical attention has been given to each and every one. Not just another instrumental CD but a really great one!