La Louisana

Comment by Ian Bell on May 16, 2013 at 7:27am

I really like the way these mysterious Creole tunes sound on the banjo. Great idea to try them out! I only know Uncle Gaspar from the Harry Smith Anthology. Are there other recordings of him around?

Comment by Tim Twiss on May 16, 2013 at 8:42am

I'm not sure. I got it from this:

Early American Cajun Music: Classic Recordings from the 1920's

Comment by Ron on May 16, 2013 at 8:54am

Man that's good I guaronteee

Comment by Tim Twiss on May 16, 2013 at 9:21am

Thanks. I'm studying the background comping. It provides such a crazy backdrop for the melody. I'm at the point where I don't feel certain if this stuff is set, or there is some randomness to the harmonization.

Comment by Ian Bell on May 16, 2013 at 1:51pm

I suspect the harmonization would usually be dependent on who happened to sit down with a guitar that day, and how they felt about it. Unless the tune is something that Uncle Gaspar and his buddy put together themselves.

Comment by Mara Eagle on May 16, 2013 at 2:52pm

Delma Lachney is the fiddle player, Blind Uncle Gaspard guitar-- they are considered Cajun (rather than Creole). Maybe the changes aren't random but there is a certain amount of shifting and inconsistency that consistently takes place.

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