"Swamp Music" - Vol. 4 / Modern Cajun Lovers - Music Of The Bayou & French R'n'R 1989

This fourth volume explores the modern scene's practitioners, whose music is deeply rooted in early rock & roll and Hank Williams-era country…

…There is a ripoff/rewrite of Merle Haggard's "I Am a Lonesome Fugitive" entitled "Cajun Fugitive" and credited to Belton Richard. Also featured are the rhythms introduced by Johnnie Allan and D.L. Menard, which would be picked up later by Beau Jocque and ground out with a vengeance to the blaze of electric guitars alongside the accordion. This collection begins in 1963, when the sounds of guitars (lap steels for the most part) make their appearances for the first time, and ends in the late '80s. The Menard and Allan tracks are standouts on this volume, including Allan's wonderful "Karvilien Alleman." In fact, Allan was easily Cajun music's Elvis, full of sexy swagger and theatrical performances. There is an outstanding track by the plagiarist Richard, however, called "Roll On, Wagon Wheel," where the fiddles engage the guitars in a slippery little dexterity contest. The riff for the tune is more like Speedy & Jimmy than the Hackberry Ramblers, and it slips and shimmies all over the key of C before coming to a startling halt. By the volume's end, it's easy to see how the growing influence of electric country music and rock & roll were encroaching on the traditions of the Louisiana Cajuns. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

trax:
1. You Are A Great Lover, But You Can't Cook Cajun Food - Johnnie Allan 2. Cajun Fugitive - Belton Richard 3. La Cravate - Harry Fontenot and the Cajun Trio 4. Rebecca Ann - D.L. Menard 5. Karvilien Alleman - Johnnie Allan 6. Roll On Wagon Wheel - Belton Richard 7. If Teardrops Were Pennies - Harry Fontenot & Cajun Trio 8. Oh Yea Yi Yi - Belton Richard 9. Oh Lucille - Belton Richard 10. Samedie Soir Aux Magasin - Johnnie Allan 11. J'ai Pleuré Pour Toi - Belton Richard 12. La Bonne Cord, Mauvais Yo-Yo - Harry Fontenot and the Cajun Trio 13. She Didn't Know I Was Married - D.L. Menard 14. Where Are You My Jolie Blonde? - Johnnie Allan 15. The Water Pump - D.L. Menard 16. Mom And Dad Waltz - Belton Richard 17. Ma Belle Sophie - Johnnie Allan 18. I Can Live A Better Life - D.L. Menard