From what I've always understood, a "tune" is a melody and a "song" applies to a melody with lyrics. However, I find that I catch myself using the word "song" for a "tune", at times. After listening to the 'Poullard Special', I realize after the first listen, that it's a "tune" and not a "song".

Not sure if this video recording falls under whats IN the "tune", but it's about as good as I could do in a couple days. I wonder who can truly be the judge of what "really" makes a "tune" a "tune". Keep in mind that "tunes" go through many, many, many changes over years. So do their titles.

Onto another similar subject, one of the thing that always used to **** me off about music camps were people trying to tell me that playing fast was absolutely wrong. When I used to play fast, I'd get plenty of frowns from soap box heroes at jams, telling me "this is dance music, slow it down"... Sometimes, my reply would be, "did you also happen to dig up Iry LeJeune and Amede Ardoin, and lecture your self righteous indignations to their bones?".... or "this is a jam, you see anyone dancing yet?" then I'd leave the jam.

It's crap like this that has made me stop with the band camps. And as far as speed goes, I'm starting to remember how great some of these melodies sound FAST. I have a bit of regret for slowing it all down. There are songs that sound good to my ears fast, and some that sound good slower...

As for the the Poullard Special, it sounds wonderful at it's slow pace, with it's swingin' creole groove.


I've come to terms with being isolated in the capacity to learn Cajun accordion, living a nice leap from my friends in LA. But I'm gonna keep on plugging away, until I personally feel like I've learned the "tunes" of many "songs". They won't be songs to me, until I have someone to "sing" them, and that sure as sh*t aint gonna be me!

Excellent interpretation, Jim-bo!!
CharlieB.

Dam-nation, Jason! That's some GOOD playing Jimbo! Man, man, man. You're an inspiration to every "outlander" out there.

I'm thinking you ought to put out a CD - and this song ought to be on there.

Nice job as always, Jim. Don't worry about the "fast" thing. Just tell 'em you're playing at "Iry Speed."

Love it, Jim. It has a great, kind of laid back feel to it, and still rock solid.

You hit the nail about that tune/song thing. It struck me too that I see people messing up the terms song and tune all the time.So I'm glad you came up with this. Again an interesting subject for another thread!

For me, Poullard Special is a typical example of a tune. Other examples are Cowboy Rider by Nathan Abshire, Pete's Breakdown, and in a different groove for instance New Iberia Polka. There are many more that I can't think of right now. Most of them are played in the first position as far as I know.

Of course you hear lots and lots of notes in songs like, for example, Lacassine Special, but for me they are still songs, because they are based on just a few long notes (being sung), and all those short notes form a kind of rhythmical pattern inside the melody.

Interesting subject, that's for sure!

Or, maybe, just to keep it simple: when there are no words to it, it's a tune.

Good job Jim.

that;s good
it;s fast but good
that;s the bottom line

so what if you can;t dance to it?
no one said that to beethoven

the cigarette makes it seem even faster

or at least like someone from louisiana is playing it :)

plus i always tell my band "look. SOMETHING has to be the fastest tune. this happens to be it!"

wle

Love the version,great feel to it Jim,and in D.You da Man