Cajun Music Radio
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Belton Richard (etc)
Message: When I was a kid growing up in South Texas, they still played a lot of genres besides Country on Country Radio -- Bluegrass, Western Swing, Cajun, Rockabilly and even the occasional Rhythm & Blues.
Today, all have been banished from Country Radio, including Real Country. So I listen to the old stuff that I remember from back then. I like the old style Cajun music that has an element of Honky Tonk in it, not that new stuff that leans more toward Zydeco (although a little Zydeco is okay too, once in awhile).
Among my top favorites are Belton Richard's essential early collection, and I was so pleased to find that he's stuck to his early sound and style on "I'm Back." So I just ordered a third one, "The Older The Wine."
I also have a couple of CDs by Zachary Richard, probably no relation. And I like the Balfas, Blackie, Doucet, Menard and Toups, Jo-El, Gib Guilbeau and of course, of course, Jimmy C. My brother once played in Isaac Payton Sweat's "Texas Sweat Band."
So now that you can see my cup of tea, let me know of other early Country-Cajun artists I know I must have missed, since I never lived in Cajun country and don't have a clue what these guys are sayin' in these songs. Thanks.
Today, all have been banished from Country Radio, including Real Country. So I listen to the old stuff that I remember from back then. I like the old style Cajun music that has an element of Honky Tonk in it, not that new stuff that leans more toward Zydeco (although a little Zydeco is okay too, once in awhile).
Among my top favorites are Belton Richard's essential early collection, and I was so pleased to find that he's stuck to his early sound and style on "I'm Back." So I just ordered a third one, "The Older The Wine."
I also have a couple of CDs by Zachary Richard, probably no relation. And I like the Balfas, Blackie, Doucet, Menard and Toups, Jo-El, Gib Guilbeau and of course, of course, Jimmy C. My brother once played in Isaac Payton Sweat's "Texas Sweat Band."
So now that you can see my cup of tea, let me know of other early Country-Cajun artists I know I must have missed, since I never lived in Cajun country and don't have a clue what these guys are sayin' in these songs. Thanks.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mickey Fruge on -
A few excellent musicans have formed a band called High Performance. They have recorded to cd's "Live in Breaux Bridge" Louisiana. Steve Rilley is the accordian player and most of the vocals are by Jamie Bearb. Both cd's are great put my favorite is the #2 cd. Jamie sounds very much like Belton Richard and I heard one of the local DJ's saying that over the weekend. I found Jamie's family on this site and they are playing music together.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Moratto on -
Thanks for the tip, and I'll put them on my watch list. Since I wrote the first post in April (above), I got Belton's third CD album and found it as good as the first two. How refreshing to find something you really like and then follow-ups that remain true to the original.
I wish there was more of Jimmy C. Newman's early recordings available. His Dot album "Cry Cry Darlin'" is scarce as hen's teeth, and other songs I remember are nowhere to be found. Like his very touching "Three," which he performed on the syndicated Porter Wagoner TV show back in the 60s. There was another that appeared on an obscure and now gone cassette tape, which sounds like it had the great Speedy West on steel guitar.
But we are so fortunate to see out-of-print favorites being revived and reissued on crisp new CDs these days, so I hold out hope for these gems.
--Paul Moratto, Big H
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