Jolie Blonde recording

Subject: Jolie Blonde recording
From: Lorenzo
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 01:43 PM

Hi Everyone,

We're looking for a recording of this song with lyrics in english and Cajun French...we get a lot of requests for this song... we have found the lyrics in the database, but haven't yet found a recording. Help!

Thanks,

Lorenzo

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: chet w
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 03:19 PM

I think this song is on just about every Cajun/Zydeco collection album, and at least once on an album by most popular bands. Check Beausoleil, the Balfa Brothers, Clifton Chenier. It should be about the most easy-to-find Cajun song out there. I don't know about English lyrics.

Good luck, Chet W.

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: Dale Rose
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 03:21 PM

You've come to the right place. Here they are, at least the most important ones, in my opinion.

The original version by the Hackberry Ramblers, 1935, is on Le Gran Mamou: A Cajun Music Anthology, 1928-1941, vol. I, Country Music Foundation 013D.

A later version by the Ramblers is on The Hackberry Ramblers, "Jolie Blonde", Arhoolie 399, recorded 1963-1965. Don't be fooled into thinking that this would be an inferior remake, in fact, I think they are still making music, here in the 90s.

You can get it by Harry Choates, 1946, on the excellent anthology, J'ai Ete Au Bal, Vol 1, Arhoolie 331, or on a CD of his material on Arhoolie 5027. This is the version which most of the later country and cajun versions are based on. Choates played a mixture of western swing/cajun music.

The great Dewey Balfa does it on Swallow 102, another anthology. The album does not give it a date, but I would guess early 80s.

And finally, if you prefer a somewhat more modern sound, check out Cajun Spice, Rounder 11550, another anthology, which has it by Jo-El Sonnier.

That's likely just the tip of the iceberg, but those are all ones I can recommend.

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: Dale Rose
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 03:29 PM

Forgot the name of the Swallow anthology, Cajun Saturday Night. Like Chet said, (his comment was not there yet when I was doing mine) it is widely available by just about every cajun group.

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: Gene
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 03:32 PM

And MOON MULLICAN?

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: Lorenzo
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 03:55 PM

We're fairly new to the Digital Tradition family...what a marvelous resource...Thanks everyone!

Lorenzo

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 04:49 PM

I don't know about available recordings, but Warren Caesar does a great job of this song, as do D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces; I have worked festivals with both these groups and have heard them do it on stage.

Subject: RE: Jolie Blonde recording
From: aldus
Date: 15 Apr 98 - 10:10 AM

Tjis is an old Acadian song and is found throuout New Brunswick, Canada. It has been recorded by many French Canadian singers. It seems the woord change from singer to singer.