Cajun musical politics

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: Dead Horse
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 10:02 AM

Best way to define the difference between Cajun & Zydeco is to listen to it.
Try here

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: Capt. Everett
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 05:47 PM

Very interesting. Did't know about the British governor detail. While I am sure it was traumatic etc. he did enrich NE and LA...Texas as well. I appreciate the result very much.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: Ref
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:42 PM

Let'sbe historically accurate here. The Acadians weren't ejected by "the British." They were ejected by a particular British governor, who was acting against crown policy and who was recalled as a result. His successors were able to bring a fair number of "the ejected" back to their homes in NS. That first governor's screw-up sure did enrich the histories of New England and Louisiana, though.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: melodeonboy
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:25 PM

And by the way, I think that pro-Obama song is a cracker - blimey, don't it swing?

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: melodeonboy
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:23 PM

"In fact there are even distinctions between the "old" Zydeco of Clifton Chenier and the "new" Zydeco you here these days."

Yes, indeed, zydeco is a living, vibrant musical form and has, unsurprisingly, changed over the years.

I think the distinction that you refer to may be that the Clifton Chenier musical style, i.e. mainly blues-based, played on piano accordion (and exemplified more recently by bands such as Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Chas) is now less popular (and, dare I say, more dated) than the more "minimalistic" style pioneered by Boozoo Chavis (as exemplified more recently by Keith Frank, Beau Jocque etc., and primarily led by Cajun accordion), which lends itself to a more modern sound and has, to the best of my knowledge, more appeal to the younger audience in south-west Louisiana. This is not so much a matter of old and new (Clifton and Boozoo were, after all, contemporaries) as style, and the ability of the style to progress.

I am British and therefore not from Louisiana. I therefore express my opinions humbly and stand to be corrected should I have got the wrong end of the stick.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: GUEST,Capt. Everett
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 05:43 PM

Cajun music is more often about troubles than happy times. Themes such as lost love, prison, poverty, mixed with drinking and dancing. Zydeco music is directly from the black-creole music traditions of SW Louisiana and SE Texas with influences from many places including what is called "french music" generally played by whites. SW Louisiana is still segregated in many ways, but nothing like it was back in the 1960's and beyond. The lines between Cajun, Creole (they have dropped the "black") are becoming vague indeed. Witness some of the new young bands such as The Pine Leaf Boys and the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Zydeco is still a pretty distinct form. In fact there are even distinctions between the "old" Zydeco of Clifton Chenier and the "new" Zydeco you here these days. Reference the book "Kingdom of Zydeco" for an excellent history of black creole music including zydeco.
The first Cajun people came from Acadia in Canada in the late 1700's, ejected by the British. Cajun is a shortening of A'cadien.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: Dead Horse
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 10:26 AM

The music was definately Zydeco and was played in a bar that is in the home town of Zydeco music, The Whirlybird in Opelousas.
I recognise most of the musicians and others in the video, and they are all very fine musicians and real good folks.
As for their politics, being an Englishman, I dont know and I dont really give a damn.
Music has always played a part in political campaigns but this is the first time I heard it done Zydeco.
Wish I'd a been there, dancin' an eatin' boudin an' a good gumbo or jambalaya. Yai-ii shere! I gawantee.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: GUEST,G-Force
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 10:23 AM

Cajun comes from 'Acadian'.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: Brian Peters
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 10:09 AM

>> Is it Cajun or is it Zydeco or is it both? <<

Definitely Zydeco - sounds like a Boozoo Chavis groove.

>> I for one am interested to know if Cajun people as a group are usually more supportive of Democratics or Republicans. <<

Louisiana as a whole is Republican territory these days (currently showing a large margin in favour of McCain). The state once had ex-Klansman David Duke as its representative, I seem to remember. But the Cajun community represents only around 30% of the population (or so I just found from a couple of minutes web research), in the South of the State. Like you I'd be interested to know whether politics in Cajun country has its own flavour.

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 10:07 AM

Is not the word "Cajun" derived from a loose pronunciation of "Canadian"?. Were not the originators from French background in Canada?

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 09:59 AM

And what of local politics, what role, if any, does music play?

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 09:38 AM

I suspect the music they're playing is a mixture. I tend to think of Cajun as white music with African American influences and Zydeco as AA music with white influences, but being British I'm probably wrong about that. I know Christine Balfa (Dirk's wife) is the daughter of Dewey Balfa, the late great Cajun fiddler, some of the others were zydeco players. As to their politics, I'm afraid I couldn't hazard a guess, but the people in the film seemed to be cheerfully Democrat.

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: Azizi
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 10:18 PM

BanjoRay, while the Dirk Powell and friends video supporting Barack Obama has been covered in the 900 Obama Songs thread whose hyperlink you provided, and has also been featured in this earlier Mudcat thread, Cajun/ZydecoObama, I'm not sure if the broader subject of politics in Cajun music has ever been explored by this forum's members and guests.

I for one am interested to know if Cajun people as a group are usually more supportive of Democratics or Republicans.

I get the sense that Cajun music and Zydeco music is dance music with largely happy themes. Is that so? And btw, what genre is that that Dirk Powell & friends song? Is it Cajun or is it Zydeco or is it both?

Also, are there other examples of Cajun or Zydeco political songs or are their songs from those genres that include political referents? Furthermore, have other Cajun or Zydeco songs been composed for politial campaigns or have been used to show support for any other political campaigns before?

And what are the differences between Cajun music and Zydeco music anyway?

Subject: RE: Cajun musical politics
From: BanjoRay
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 09:32 PM

Sorry this is already covered in this thread

Ray

Subject: Cajun musical politics
From: BanjoRay
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 08:44 PM

I wish British party political broadcasts were like this video - I'd be much more inclined to watch them. Warning - has pro Obama content and some great music from Dirk Powell and friends.
Cheers
Ray