Bruce Daigrepont “Petite Cadeau”<i> Imago</i>

Daigrepont has long been one of the finest accordionists in Cajun music, but with this album his instrumental prowess is matched note for note by his songwriting and his band’s driving support. The result is an all-around appealing album that puts him in a league with Beausoleil’s genre-transcending work.

In the 10 songs Daigrepont wrote, he has created several that should quickly join the ranks of decades-old songs that form the heart of traditional Cajun music.

There are songs that celebrate the simple joys to be found on the streets of New Orleans (“Tipitina Two Step”) or a visit to a favorite uncle’s place (“Nonc Willie”).

His love songs are honest and unadorned (“La Clef De Mon Coeur”).

The non-originals include two instrumentals from other master accordionists (Wade Fruge and Aldus Roger) and Creole fiddler Canray Fontenot’s prison lament “Barres de La Prison.”

The wry ode he sings to his young daughter in “BeBe (De La Famille)” becomes all the more poignant with the album closing “Le Tempos Est Apres Marcher,” which notes the all-too-quick passing of time.

The aural ambience on several of the tracks recalls a vibrant country dance hall, which makes the tunes feel all the more rooted to the rural area in which this music was born.