Name That Cajun

Subject: Name That Cajun
From: Gern
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 09:49 AM

I have a tough request, but perhaps someone here can help me. I was happily shopping at the Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans last week (a great place to buy jazz and blues music and books,) when I heard a recording that has run thru my head ever since. A young male sang the traditional song "Didn't He Ramble" in a shaky voice, accompanied only by a shuffling snare drum thruout the song. It continues to haunt me, and I must hear it again. But apparently everyone in Louisiana has recorded this song. Does my description ring a bell with anyone out there? How can I find this song?

Subject: RE: Name That Cajun
From: MMario
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 09:58 AM

This may sound stupid, but have you contacted the store? They may well have a playlist....

Subject: RE: Name That Cajun
From: Gern
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 01:06 PM

Not at all -- I did contact the store, and they told me that they have over fifty versions of this song on sale by different artists. You can imagine the difficulty... but I'm hoping one of these discerning mudcatters can help me out.

Subject: RE: Name That Cajun
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 03:35 PM

Sounds like Harry Connick Jr., Of of his "25" album --

Wincing_Devil
Computer monitors exist to backlight a cat's lovely tail.

Subject: RE: Name That Cajun
From: RWilhelm
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 11:55 PM

Was the recording contemporary or vintage? Do you know for sure that he was Cajun? Charlie Poole recorded it in the twenties with his sort of shaky voice but no drums.

BTW, I read recently that this was a popular song around the turn of the century. It was, supposedly, written to commemorate a goat who lived in the alleys of Chicago. He had become a pet of the red light district, fed leftovers from restaurants and ignored by the law. One day he saw a herd of sheep being led to the slaughterhouse and joined them thinking they were going to a party. "He rambled till the butchers cut him down." Anyway, that's what I read.

Subject: RE: Name That Cajun
From: Gern
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 09:13 AM

I believe that it was contemporary, and would be astonished to hear that it was Connick (but I've been wrong before.) It sure wasn't Charlie Poole, though -- I'd know those clogged nasal passages anywhere.

Subject: RE: Name That Cajun
From: RWilhelm
Date: 15 Apr 00 - 12:15 AM

Dr. John recorded a nice version not too long ago but I don't think that's right either.