Hey John,
It's the other John from New Orleans. Shoot me an email, I might be able to help you out.

cajunfid@hotmail.com

John

I don't have good information about just when Leeman Prejean was recording. He recorded for an obscure label named Belle, but Swallow records must have come upon the copyright later and released his records again in 1971. Or maybe they were actually recorded in 71 after all. His Valse de Tout'l Monde was released in 1972 and you can hear the sound quality is much better than on those other singles. I bet those were earlier than 71. Ray Abshire might know just when and where the Happy Playboys of Scott were active. Me, I used to see Leeman Prejean at Red's Cajun Club in Nunez between Kaplan and Abbeville, but that was early 80s.

I bet you're right, Neal. They have that early 'live' kind of sound. I love that. I don't know if modern Cajun recordings are made by laying separate tracks on each other, but they lack something for me. The background yells are so much a part of the old and live recordings, and so much a part of Cajun music.

BJ

I agree. And cajun music sounds better with yapping pups, buzzing mosquitos, beer cans opening, blackbirds swarming, gratons sizzling, playing kids, laughing, and a few missed notes which I like to provide, especially after several of the beer can openings.

Please send me your e-mail addresses for further follow up. Mine is npomea@earthlink.net