Anyone have a recommendation on a straightforward, not-too-highly-ornamented version of the Eunice 2-Step? The fiddle player I'm learning with wants to learn that one next.

Thanks for your help.

My best advice: Go on youtube and type Eunice Two Step. You'll see several great versions. Pick the ones you like and go from there. Here's a start:

What a nice execution of that tune.

One can just feel the spirit/attitude pulling you into
a different time & place

I wonder what the instrumentation arrangement is.

I hear something be hind the vocal line:
rest-dit-dit rest-dit-dit .. maybe piano?

And that's likely a lap-steel, not pedal steel, right?

Very "satisfying" arrangement

--bn

I know this version well and I called one of the players today to discuss this recording. It was recorded at Goldband Studios in Lake Charles, Eddie Shuler, engineer.

Jr. Benoit-Guitar (Gibson jumbo with heavy strings); Garland Domingue-drums, Robert Bertrand-fiddle and vocal, Mervin Faul-steel (Fender Triple Neck-no pedals see photos below), John Oliver-accordion

These five guys recorded live and then Eddie Shuler later had someone dub in the bass and keyboard, according to Mervin Faul. Who couldn't recall who did the other parts since they were not part of the orginal session. So Nick-you were right about a piano! Mervin said there was definitely a keyboard of some kind that was later added.

He also related to me that he (Mervin) and John Oliver had started up a band (early 70s)and played a gig at the Shamrock Club in Lake Charles that didn't go so well with the line-up they originally had. They later received word that Robert, Garland and Jr. had left Nathan Abshire's band and wanted to join up with them! They recorded serveral songs that came out on 45s. Some have been reissued on a collection of "Robert Bertrand" recordings. This line-up also recorded with accordionists Ervin LeJeune and Nolan Cormier(Chad Cormier's dad). They later used Wallace Derouen on guitar. They also recorded with Phil Menard on accordion (Chere Cherie).

Thanks for that history, Chris! I like John Oliver's playing very much but do not know much about him.

Maurice Barzas also did a fine version on a Swallow 45 in 1962. It is reissued on Louisiana Cajun Music Special (aka Bon Temps Rouler,) http://www.flattownmusic.com/-Louisiana-Cajun-Music-Special-Bon-Temps-Rouler-various-artists-CD-P61.aspx

Hey Chris,

Thank you for the detailed data

I'd be they got that recording sound with minimal
microphones as well .. Kind of like Hank Williams
recordings. Maybe one mic in the middle of that room?
Analog tape? Perhaps vacuum tube gear?

--bn

I really don't know about mics, I would have to ask. My guest from listening, though, is that it was not just one mic in the room. But it was probably minimal by today's standards. And of course it was all analog tape and (probably) tube gear. The story alwasy goes that his stuff didn't always work correctly. But his records definitely have a "Goldband soundprint" from the room, reverb and mixing board, and of course from the way he personally engineered things.The biggest thing about that recording, to me, is that great rhythm-backing fiddle work by Robert Bertrand. It strongly flavors the sound...but all those guys were/are really great musicians--that's really where "the sound" is coming from.