"I wonder if Iry Lejeune's recordings were sped up too."

I don't think so! By the time Iry recorded, the technology was more precise for speed, from what I understand. Now for some dancers, they said it was too fast. He played a lot in the Lake Charles area. I am sure Chris and Ganey know more about this than I do.

Hear Iry's heartbreaking waltzes. You won't think they are at the wrong speed.

He was just a fast player. Can you imagine those days in Lake Charles when you could hear Iry and Nathan Abshire play on the same night? For some, Iry was king of the two step, Nathan the waltz.

And then there was Lawrence Walker....

There is one Iry song that I slowed down because it sounded too fast to me. It was a version of Grand Bosco that had a different name that I cant recall at the moment. After slowing it down it sounds closer to just another version of Grand Bosco.

The rest of them I just enjoy for the masterpieces they are.

We slowed down several from that late 20's and early 30's era that I think sound now better, dont know if it to true speed or not.

That collection of Nonc Allie Young by Gerard Dole that Neal is referring to is a treasure. To my untrained ear, he seems to have a great rhythm and I am using that collection to try to learn some tunes on my old box. I dont know where to get a copy. Maybe Mr. Dole could chime in here.

Why slow down old recordings, especially ones that were recorded at real speed? I can understand if you're trying to learn from them to slow it down, but otherwise?

Regardless to popular belief, Cajun music is more than just dance music. It's also music to listen to and get your heart pounding. Sometimes pounding at 101 beats per minute!