Just got back yesterday after spending friday and saturday in Lafayette. Festival appeared a success, and was a great time. Best part was the nightly gathering of forum members on the Blue Moon porch for jamming, which appears to have become a tradition. Met up with lots of forum members, many for the first time, all appear to be making good progress on their playing. I think I enjoyed watching my babies being passed around and molested by various folks more than I did playing.
Yesterday was family day for me so missed the Cajun Troubadours, but got to catch a whole slew of bands. The neat thing about the way the festival is set up with so many stages, if you don't like this band, you can walk over the another stage and catch someone else. I seemed to enjoy the smaller shows best. One by Cedric Watson and D'jalma Garnier on traditional Creole music. Not many people doing that kind of music and I love it. Cedric did it on a Hohner 114 and made it sound like a dream.
Also saw reunion of the McCauley/Reed/Vidrine band (youtube videos soon), which was part comedy show, part story telling, and big part good old fashioned music with just fiddle, accordion, and guitar, my favorite set up.
Got to spend some time talking with several folks from Nova Scotia, which amazed me how close their language is to Cajun French, even though I had heard that several times. Watched one fiddle band from Nova Scotia, called Unisson, that played in the style that used to be common in Louisiana but isn't anymore, the twin fiddling with one bassing, like the Balfa's used to do. I will be trying to find their cd because I didn't think to ask them while I was there.
I don't know of any, Brode, not sure what to look for. I did look on youtube for videos of them but couldn't find any. They do have a cd out and as soon as I find out how to get it I'll post it here. Was really kicking myself for not having my video camera with me.
Neal, also got to finally meet Jack Bond, which was a treat. I filmed the whole show of the reunion, it was great. I'll post some videos when I get it loaded and edited. I never caught Jesse Lege and Joel, even though they were on my want to list. I spent more time visiting than watching bands.
No doubt the best Fest I've been to. Best music was in the Heritage tent, McCauley-Reed-Vidrine reunion, The Balfa gathering...Christine, Courtney, Tony...and others. Just the best.
The best part for me was jamming on the porch at the Moon. Hours of playing with some of the best people and best musicians anywhere...Bryan, Charley B., Pat and Cindy, and a bunch of new folks I met for the first time. At times I think the music was better on the front porch than the back.
If you've been thinking about a Bryan Lafleur accordion, do it now. Bryan will never be a volume builder, and word is really getting out. Jamey's new one, my 9 button, and Bryan's own new one got played to death. Lots of high praise from some great players.
Let's do it all again at Lakeview Campground for Mardi Gras.
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
