Cajun Accordion History + Builders!

Well lets see what should our first new post be about? How about that cajun accordion! How much do really really know about that squeeze box? Many of us love to play it and even more love to hear it! So lets have a little history lesson on the Cajun Accordion!

Below are considered the "Big Three"-Three of the most well known and oldest accordion builders today.

 Martin                     Falcon              Acadian

While there may not be as prominent as the other three. These builders below are newer than the big three but still make high quaility boxes.

L'anse Grise   &   Heritage

Theres many more builders who build great accordions, the skill is usally passed down from builder to builder with some accordions being slighty different from others.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wikipedia describes the cajun accordion as: A squeezebox is single-row diatonic button accordion used for playing Cajun music.

-History-

 The Cajun accordion is generally defined as a single-row diatonic accordion, as compared to multiple-row instruments commonly used in Irish, Italian, polka, and other styles of music. The Cajun accordion has multiple reeds for every button and the number of reeds sounding is controlled by four stops or knobs. The Cajun accordion comes in different keys, each which produnce a different souding tune. The most common is C. D and B Flat are other well played keys. Its known that many accordion players chose the key of their accordion to match the pitch of their voice. (see Iry Lejeune for key of D, and Belton Richard for B flat.)

"Many different accordions were developed in Europe throughout the 19th century, and exported worldwide. Accordions were brought to Acadiana in the 1890s and became popular by the early 1900s, eventually becoming a staple of Cajun music.

Many of the German factories producing diatonic accordions for the United States market were destroyed during World War II. As a result, some Cajuns began producing their own instruments, based on the popular one-row German accordions but with modifications to suit the nuances of the Cajun playing style.  Since the end of World War II, there has been a surge in the number of Cajun accordion makers in Louisiana, as well as several in Texas." wikipedia.org

We're back! Expect Updates!

Woah! It's been a while! Well after some time off I figured I'd bring this page back, and make it better! What can you expect? I am currently working on a website which will serve as a main page for our blog as well as a gateway to our new facebook page and community forum. This way not only can you enjoy our blog but then keep up with us on facebook, and chat with others about our topics. So keep a look out and keep up with our progress!

Our new website!
FACEBOOK!

Dewey Balfa

Well for this week I wanted to do a artist spotlight, and this week ive chosen the great fiddle player Dewey Balfa!

An impassioned ambassador for Cajun music and culture, fiddler and singer Dewey Balfa (1927-1992) was a driving force in the revival of traditional Cajun music. Together with his brothers Will, Rodney, Harry, and Burkeman, and later his nephew Tony and daughter Christine, Balfa introduced the vibrant sound of Cajun music to countless people around the world and used his role as a musical ambassador to reawaken a deep and abiding sense of pride in Cajun music amongst his fellow Cajuns.

Dewey was one of nine children born into a musical family in Grand Louis, Louisiana, a small farm town in rural Louisiana not far from the slightly larger town of Mamou, 125 miles northwest of the great port city of New Orleans. In terms of culture, Louisiana is one of America's wealthiest states, and the Balfa family had inherited the rich legacy of songs, tunes, tales, and traditions of Louisiana's French-speaking Cajun community.

You can read more Here at Smithsonian Folkways.


Dewey Balfa was not only one of the greatest cajun fiddlers of all time but a he had a wonderful singing voice. So please enjoy this video of his music and life story.

Joe Hall and the Louisiana Cane Cutters

Well looks like its time for another post, and this week i've chosen to do a CD that I myself not only own but really enjoy. I recently picked up this CD after watching this band perform on TV. So I hope everyone else out there might give this band a shot and enjoy their wonderful music.

At the confluence of bayous Teche and Fuselier stands Nunu’s, the highly unusual cultural center where visual arts, an indigenous cuisine café, poetry readings, music classes and performance all converge under one roof. Many a dance has been played in the grand salon that doubles as an art gallery of sorts. But surprisingly, after many moons of incredible ambience, Nunu’s had never witnessed the birth of a live recording. Until now. From the opening bell to the final round, the old-time, Creole-centric Joe Hall and the Louisiana Cane Cutters with guest fiddler Mitch Reed blast through a set of amped-up Creole chestnuts, Cajun staples and a few zydeco and blues tunes. With the big guy leading the charge and the rhythm section slamming it down, energy is released here in epic proportions. “Mardi Gras Jig” is particularly interesting, a onechord vamp that steadily builds up suspense and intensity, but never quite hurdles over the top. In the middle of “Nunu’s Breakdown,” the rest of the Cutters drop out, allowing Hall, Reed and second fiddler Blake Miller to play a wild interlude before everyone comes roaring back for the disc’s last hurrah. Yet, it’s not all the Hall renewable energy show. Occasionally he reveals the beautiful expression (“La Valse Criminelle,” “Jolie Blonde”) that the delicate little box can have, even when played by super-sized hands.
 From: www.offbeat.com


Dont forget to checkout our facebook page, and help us grow!

First Month + 400 views!

Well it seems we are closing in on our first month of being open, and I think we just made 400 views. Which means we've averaged 100 views a week. I wanna thank everyone who has enjoyed the page and mighta learned something. So everyone lets keep it up and grow some. Also join our facebook page to help us with some community involvement so we can make this blog more fun!

 Laissez les bon temps roulet!

J'ai été au bal (Movie)

Running Time: 1 hr. 24 min.
In Theaters: Oct 13, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Jul 22, 2003J'ai été au bal

Directed By: Les Blank , Chris Strachwitz
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary
General Response: 4/5 Stars

J'AI ETE AU BAL is the definitive film on the history of the toe-tapping, foot-stomping music of southwest French Louisiana. With rare recordings, archival photos and footage, contemporary interviews and live performances by the likes of Clifton... A definitive film on the history of the toe-tapping, foot-stomping music of southwest French Louisiana. With rare recordings, archival photos and footage, contemporary interviews and live performances by the likes of Clifton Chenier, Queen Ida, Walter Mouton, Michael Doucet and Beausoleil, Boozoo Chavis, Marc and Ann Savor, and more, this video will take you from the roots of cajun and zydeco through the 20th century.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Well for this week I figured id go with a documentary. So for this week I've chosen J'ai été au bal, a great movie that explains the history and struggles as well as the triumphs of cajun music. I own this dvd and consider this a must buy for all fans, and young musicians alike.

Allons à Lafayette

Well today ima post a song with its history and translation for all to enjoy, learn, or just plain understand better. And why not start with cajun music's first recorded song, Allons à Lafayette!

This great and still played song was recorded in 1928 by Joe Falcon and Cléoma Breaux, Allons à Lafayette is the B-side of the 78-RPM album "Allons à Lafayette". The song is based off of an older traditional tune called "Jeunes Gens de la Campagne". The song deals with a man asking her partner to go to Lafayette, Louisiana and change her name to something more scandalous, Mrs. Mischievous Comeaux. The singer is upset they are both far apart and thinks her beauty is far better than her character.

Source:Wiki

Cajun French

Allons à Lafayette, mais pour changer ton nom.
On va t’appeller Madame, Madame Canaille Comeaux comme moi.
Petite, t’est trop mignonne pour faire ta criminelle.
Comment tu crois, mais moi, je peux faire, mais moi tout seul.
Mais toi, mais joli Coeur, regarde donc mais quoi t’as fait.
Si loin que moi, je suis de toi, mais ça
Petite, t’est trop mignonne pour faire ta criminelle.
Comment tu crois, mais moi, je peux faire, mais moi tout seul.
Mais toi, mais joli Coeur, regarde donc mais quoi t’as fait.
Si loin que moi, je suis de toi, mais ça, ça me fait pitié

English

Let's go to Lafayette to change your name.
We will call you Mrs. Mischievous Comeaux.
Honey, you're too pretty to act like a tramp.
How do you think I am going to manage without you?
Look at what you done, pretty heart.
We are so far apart and that is pitiful.
Honey, you're too pretty to act like a tramp.
How do you think I am going to manage without you?
Look at what you done, pretty heart.
We are so far apart and that is pitiful.