As a non Cajun French speaker trying desperately to learn to be able to sing along with my accordion, I certainly can understand wanting written lyrics (and written music). I try to phonetically imitate Cajun, and I am sure I am thouroughly slaughtering everything. I suppose it doesn't much matter, unless I attempt to sing in Cajun for Cajun speakers, which will probably never happen, but I would like to get them as correct as possible. I love the Balfa's recordings for the purpose of learning the traditional tunes, as they seem to always print the lyrics in both Cajun and English which as been a major joy.
not everyone speaks french..i have been around the language and music all my life and still cant speak it..i can transcribe something phonetically but having the actual words to a song in french and english is much better for learning and actually understanding what you are singing.
the guy that is asking for "mama's tired" lyrics is from finland..so english is not his first language....and then you have to figure in the most zydeco artist's accents and some mumbo jumbo they sometimes spit out to make a song sound cool.
i buy alot of my music online...downloading through pay sites....no liner notes.
There are some good books out there, with quite a few lyrics. But they cover a minute portion of the available music.
I, for one, enjoy transcribing songs when I can(not that often), and supplying them to anyone who wants them. Especially someone showing an interest in our music. I cant stand my own singing, but I use the songs as oral comprehension practice.
I am a wannabe, completely hooked on traditional Cajun. Purchasing all the CDs I can find. Listen to it all the time. Particularly fond of the Balfa Brothers, Octa Clark, and such, and trying to learn to play any traditional pieces I can learn. I live in Montana, so to say I am quite displaced from your culture is an understatement. I have only been playing the accordion less than a year, and my new pride and joy, my Bon Cajun for only a few months. Love that box. I am not a very advanced musician, and have difficulty picking out musical phrases by ear, but I can read music, and once I get started on a tune, can usually learn to play by ear pretty well.
I learned the basics from Larry's book, also have Dirk Powell's videos, and Marc Savoy's CD.
I have only found one collection of Cajun music on the web at:
http://acs.madonna.edu/~kaluzny/cajun/tabs.html
If you know of any others, or have any advice for a newbie wannabe, I would welcome any suggestions.
Bryan, thanks so much... no, I had not found Neal's site, nor the lycos.fr site. ZOWIE !!!!!! Lyrics AND music!!!!!! Yippee !!!! Thank you so much. Outstanding.
Yes, FAQ (frequently asked questions) IS a function of my account with Bravenet ~ I've just never poked around in that area. If I find some time, I'll take a look at getting it up and running. Lately I've been pretty preoccupied with my own job and trying to help my husband set up his sole proprietorship drafting business. LOTS of reading to do to make sure that everything gets done correctly from the beginnning!
I guess "We" still can post for or against my beloved and very traditional and indispensable, and necessary "miterred corners" before the voluminous data collected on the subject , over the years, on this site, can be published on our new FAQ, let's not delay, the process,please .
I have a yahoo group that I have been posting lyrics to as they show up on here (I usually ask if its ok), or if I pull them from somewhere else, or type them in myself.
I know you have yahoo, but there's about 60 songs over there now.