Anyone here into Cajun steel?

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 27 Jul 2001 9:52 am

My old Emmons is sleeping in its case these days because I devote all of my time to learning the Cajun accordion.

I listen to as much music from Louisiana as I can and I have discovered some great steel. There is Junior Martin out of Scott, LA. who is fabulous. And my latest discovery is Orsy "RC" Vanicor.

RC plays with Jess Lege, one of the real greats in Cajun music. RC's style is quick and subtle, with a fat tone and a great touch.

If you want to hear something new as well as timeless, please pick up "Memoires Du Passe" by Mack Manuel/Jesse Lege and the Lake Charles Ramblers. It is on Swallow Records SW6141.

You might have to order it, but it is really worth it. the band is fantastic and the steel playing is some of the best I've heard anywhere...

Anyone else here into Cajun music?

Dennis Atkins · Post by **Dennis Atkins** » 27 Jul 2001 11:13 am

On Friday mornings, from 9 to 11, a local radio program plays cajun music. I listened this morning and heard quite a bit of the steel in the mix. If you are interested in listening to it live over the internet, you may go to www.kfai.org and follow the links for the show. The shows are also archived once a week, and you can click on the archive link and listen to last week's program using RealAudio. The program is called Louisiana Rhythms. A lot of the music is in Cajun, so if you understand the language, it will doubly good for the listener. My wife is from Canada, and speaks French Canadian, and understands most of what she hears on this program.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

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CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 27 Jul 2001 12:01 pm

I Love Cajun Musik !
i don't know much 'bout Cajun Steelin.
Thanx for the news guys !
Lafayette, nous voila !

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 27 Jul 2001 12:20 pm

Cajun steel is great. My friend Tim Cushenberry hosted some Cajun Steel Guitar Shows a few years back and the Cajun guys were real good. Jr. Martin, Richard Comeaux,
Murnel Babineaoux . These are some of the names I remember. I talked to Jr. recently and the next time I am thru Lafayette I am going to take some lessons from Jr. Best regards, Jody.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 27 Jul 2001 2:20 pm

I'm not very familiar with Cajun steel but being at Jazz Fest the last two years has turned me onto Cajun & Zydeco.
I had the opportunity on two separate ocassions to see Beausoleil with Cindy Cashdollar on Dobro and non pedal steel. What beautiful music was the result.

Craig Allen · Post by **Craig Allen** » 27 Jul 2001 2:29 pm

Well,...................'round here we call it coon-ass.

The Cajun Accordian, is called a Button Box.
(It's a variation of a European Concertina)

My Wife is 100% Shawnee Indian, and can't stand Zydeco, but I'm 100% French, and can't live without it.

I was gonna type this all out in Fracaise, but I can barely spell in English.LOL

Bon Chance

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 27 Jul 2001 2:37 pm

Yeah, I have six Cajun accordions because they come in keys, the same as harmonicas. Two were made by Junior Martin (the steel player) who makes the best boxes IMHO.

I also have an old Sterling from the '30s...the Emmons original of Cajun accordions.

I'm glad to see that others have found this wonderful music...

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 27 Jul 2001 3:12 pm

...TQ, good to hear from you...

ebb · Post by **ebb** » 27 Jul 2001 4:15 pm

i have 2 acadians c + d built by mark savoy[This message was edited by ebb on 27 July 2001 at 06:02 PM.]

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 27 Jul 2001 8:18 pm

I got this ole buddy named Buck Grantham that plays Cajun steel guitar big time!!!
I have seen him get into it so much his hair turned yaller! Buck is a great all around steel player but he can flat get into that Cajun stuff.
Jerry

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 27 Jul 2001 8:23 pm

Back in the early 80's Junior Martin was in my steel class at Jeff Newman's for a week. It was a lot of fun, after hours, to listen to him bouncin' that bar, cajun style. I call it "popcorn" style, 'cause that's what it sounded like to me. I'd love to hear him again someday. Maybe I've got some Ragin' Cajun in me, cuz my name's Jimbeaux!?

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 27 Jul 2001 8:42 pm

I like to listen too (the program Dennis mentioned above). It is another great, intact and rare steel style. I'd love to hear the Cajun and Sacred steelers get together for a weekend of jamming together- wouldn't that be something!
T. Sage Harmoux[This message was edited by Sage on 27 July 2001 at 09:44 PM.]

Rick Barber · Post by **Rick Barber** » 27 Jul 2001 10:28 pm

For Tom Quinn:

I knew a Tom Quinn from Sacramento that went to Grant Union High School years ago. Thats not you is it.

Rick Barber
Morgan Hill, Calif.

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 28 Jul 2001 3:17 am

AYE.....EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 28 Jul 2001 3:41 am

That AYYYEEEEEE........
Reminds me of my tour with Jimmy C Newman, "The Aligator Man".

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 28 Jul 2001 4:46 am

...reminds me of the time the waitress dropped the coffee pot in my lap...

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 28 Jul 2001 5:24 am

At the ISGC, 1985 I think, a fellow played that bouncing bar cajun style and Paul Franklin went up on the stage and stood behind him for several minutes getting a real close look. I don't remember his name. But I seem to remember Paul was using that technique on his spot the next day

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Carter D-10 8+9, BCT, TPPP

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 Jul 2001 8:29 am

that's right...Pat....burns!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Jul 2001 7:29 pm

I was actually in negotiatons with Queen Ida to a record with her and possibly become part of her band. As I just had my first daughter around that time, and I would have to quit my day job, they could not offer me full time work and my family obviously came first. Sure wish I could have done it, I love Cajun/Zydeco music. I believe steel guitar has a place in that form of music.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Jul 2001 4:17 am

I love Cajun & zydeko too! There a great book called "Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People" by Ann Allen Savoy (her husband, Marc Savoy, is a noted Cajun accordian builder). Judging by the photos in the book, steel guitar is ALL over the history of 20th century Cajun music. Among the lap steel players listed are Jack Brock, Lonnie Rainwater,Dusty Rhodes, Atlas Fruge', R.C. Vanicour, Rodeny Miller, Claude Sonnier, and Dick Richard. Anyone ever heard of any of these guys?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Jul 2001 6:21 am

Come to think of it, I met Junior Martin at Jazz Fest this year. I went over to a concession that had some of the most beautifully made diatonic accordians and began to speak with the builder. He told me that he didn't play them, only built them, but played pedal steel. At one time he built the bodies for Pedalmaster. his work is incredible and I'm sure his playing is too.

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 29 Jul 2001 6:24 am

I have this great CD called "Cajun Honky Tonk" on Arhoolie. Early 1950's recordings, various artists. Plenty of steel, one is Elise Deshotel, who led his band the Rhythmaires. Steel as a bandleader, no wonder I've always liked Cajuns!

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 29 Jul 2001 12:59 pm

No, I'm not the Tom Quinn from Sacramento.

I just moved here in November. It's a nice town, although I do miss Mendocino from time to time. And Tokyo too! -LLL-

Don Benoit · Post by **Don Benoit** » 29 Jul 2001 7:22 pm

I play steel and also a cajun accordion made by Marc Savoy