Zachary Richard & Todd Mouton Live at Louisiana Music Factory 2015

Todd Mouton’s new book Way Down in Louisiana is all about Clifton Chenier and the musical universe in which he shines so very brightly.  About half the book is about Chenier and half about other musicians: Sonny Landreth, Michael Doucet, Steve Riley, and Zachary Richard.  Zachary Richard’s new children’s book is The Legend of Lil Red.  It’s an enchanting picaresque story rather like the Brementown Musicians or the Wizard of Oz.  This video starts with Mouton talking about his book, then moving to Richard, who got the entire packed house at the Louisiana Music Factory to sing with him.

 

 

Friday video: Keith Frank ‘Squeeze box’

This one is focused on the dancers!  Someone must want to learn them some dancing.  According to the comments, the song is Squeeze box and it’s Keith Frank playing, though he’s never seen. 

 

Treasure trove of Lomax film on Cajun music

Alan Lomax traveled the world in search of folk music.  He recorded many individuals and groups in Louisiana in the 1930’s.  Many of these recording have been commercially released and make fascinating listening.  Lomax also founded the Association for Cultural Equity, a non-profit whose mission is “to explore and preserve the world’s expressive traditions with humanistic commitment and scientific engagement.”  They have posted Lomax’s lesser-known videos, including many taken of Cajun musicians in the 1980’s.  Musicians include Michael Doucet and BeauSoleil, aged Dennis McGee, Octa Clark and Hector Duhon, Dewey Balfa, and many others.  Makes fascinating listening!

 

“Looking for Trouble” free film on violence in Cajun communities

David M. Brasseaux has released a 31-minute documentary film, Looking for Trouble.  It is about violence in Cajun communities in the first half of the twentieth century.  Two areas come in for special attention:  Marais Bouleur (a “marais” is a swamp) and Pointe Noire (Black Point), in Acadia Parish.  Cajuns are often seen as exuberant and happy-go-lucky, but, like everyone else, they sometimes have a dark side.  This is the first time I’ve seen this issue discussed anywhere.  It’s worth watching and it’s free to view.

 

Friday video selection policy

When I select videos for posting on this blog, it’s going to be the performer on stage playing live.  Although there’s lots of music posted over a still image, part of the enjoyment is to see what the musicians are like on stage, the environment, and the audience, which usually means dancers.  Today I was looking for Belton Richard and found tons of the non-video videos with music only, so I selected an incomplete song instead.  And so far there’s little I’ve seen other than YouTube.  Anyone got a better source, let me know!  Merci!

 

Friday video: Corey Ledet and Cedric Watson

Live from the Liberty Theater in Eunice, LA, here are Corey “Lil Pop” Ledet and Cedric Watson.  That’s Cedric on violin and vocals and Corey on accordion.  This came from the Rendez-Vous des Cajun, a regular live stage show broadcast on local cable in Lafayette, LA.

 

Friday video: Savoy Family Band ‘Creole stomp’

Here’s the powerhouse Savoy Family Band  playing the Creole stomp live at Down Home Music in El Cerrito, California November 2009.  Right to left, it’s Ann Savoy, Marc Savoy, Joel Savoy and Wilson Savoy.  It’s an environment a lot like the Savoy Music Center on Highway 190 near Eunice, LA where they have a store jam every Saturday.  And, yes, Ann and Marc are married; Joel and Wilson are their sons.  Ann and Marc were part of the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band.  Joel is one of the operators of Valcour Records and a member of the Red Stick Ramblers.  Wilson is part of the Pine Leaf Boys.     

 

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2012 preview video: Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie

Here is Geno Delafose and his band, French Rockin’ Boogie, performing live at the 2011 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  It’s his theme song.  That’s the famous Fais Do-Do Stage, where most of the Cajun, Louisiana Creole and zydeco artists perform.  And the fellow introducing them is the inestimable Mr. Chuck, who manages the stage year after year.  Hear Geno and band at the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at 10:45 am.  

 

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2012 preview video: Band Courtbouillion

Here’s the Cajun supergroup Le Band Courtbouillon playing D.L. Menard‘s “La Porte en Arrière” (“The Back Door”) to a very noisy crowd!  They seem to know all the words, too.  Amazing to see three accordion players:  Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy!  Says they’are at the popular Cafe des Amis in Breaux Bridge.  Jouer! 

 

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2012 preview video: Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

The powerhouse band Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys plays the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2012 on Sunday, October 14 .  This looks like a *really* small venue:  the Hilltop Cafe in Fredericksburg, TX recorded on August 4, 2012.  That’s Kevin Wimmer, who replaced David Greely on fiddle.  This is an unusual English-language song about a club called the Chatterbox, from their latest recording, Grand Isle.