This is a fascinating conversation. My wife and I just watched "A Perfect World", and, besides being happy to have found a Clint Eastwood movie we both actually hadn't seen, I was delighted to hear that "old Creole record" "Big Fan's Baby", a fictional Cajun recording. The melody is by Eastwood and the credit for the arrangement and recording goes to Lennie Niehaus, who often worked with Eastwood on film scores.

Being a Celt myself (Welsh and a wee bit o Scottish), transplanted to America by way of Dad who came over in the 30s, I am also a composer (and recording artist). Bagpipes have always been one of my favorite instruments (Dad brought us kids to hear pipers more than once) so I loved hearing this arrangement. I give Niehaus credit for imagining this Eastwood melody to be sung by pipes. Asking a Cajun friend about the use of pipes in Cajun music, he said "the droning of fiddles and Cajun accordion may sound at times like pipes but they are not the common authentic instrument used by most Cajuns, alt5hough I did know one old timer who played one."

The French have several different type of pipes (bagpipes if you prefer that term). I saw a film on Brittany last summer at Celtic week at Swannanoa workshops. The accordions in that film looked like our Cajun accordion but were those from France.

I have heard of a Louisiana group called Celjun that was some mix of Celtic and Cajun muisc, but have not heard them in person.

For what its worth, I've been playing pipes (highland and uilleann) for the last 30 years are so. I prefer to stay with the tradations of a particular culture. If it Cajun music, I prefer to play on the accordion, if its Irish music, I play the uilleann pipes. Maz is right about the highland pipes as most consider it Scottish. But it can be the highlands of anywhere, Scotland, Ireland or North/South Carolina.

With all that said, the "Danse de Mardi Gras" sounds great played on the uilleann pipes. Would that offen anyone? I would not attempt the Port Author Two Step on the pipes. Perhaps there are some cross over tunes,but I think you would have to be very selective.

Thing is, there was a time when the accordion was looked at the same way, a foreign object not for cajun music. Luckily some kept it around anyway.

I'd like to hear someone play some samples just to see what it would sound like. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I heard the banjo playing cajun music.

One of my favorite sounds is Amazing Grace played on the pipes.

Q) What's the difference between a trampoline and bagpipes?

A) You take off your shoes when you jump on a trampoline.


Q) What do you call someone who knows how to play the bagpipes, but doesn't?

A) A gentleman.


(I should be careful, because I have heard these jokes applied to accordion as well)

A friend recently asked me if I knew what perfect pitch was. He said it's when you throw the accordion out the window and it lands in the dumpster.

Hal

an even better pitch would be if it landed in my lap.

David, as both a pipe (French cornemuse de centre and Cabrette) and a Cajun accordion player I like them all.
How about this one:

It is very difficult to play the bagpipe

It is a pity that it's not impossible...

Gus

Q)How does an accordion player dressed in suit begin every sentence?

A)"Yes, your honor."

The neigborhood I live in is really bad. Last evening I left my accordion in the back seat of the car. When I came out in the morning to start the car, my worst fears were realized. There were two more accordions and a bagpipe on the seat with my accordion.

Peace,
Griff

Where is that place ?
I want also two more accordions and a bagpipe.

Ron:

It's a little drinking village with a fishing problem on the west end of frozen lac Erie.

Peace,
Griff

PS:

Bagpiper said "Och aye laddie, I dinna want ya tae think I'm playin' by ear. I kin read music you know."

Symphonic musician said " reading music certainly isn't interfering with your playing."

Hwt's even worse than a bagpipe????

accordion?

No, 2 bagpipes

Gus