Down Home Cajun Music- Cajun Recordings on Paramount Records

Down Home Cajun Music- Cajun Recordings on Paramount RecordsParamount Records was well known for their recordings of country, blues and jazz. But they also recorded Cajun music at three sessions. This episode features recordings from those three sessions.By 1929, Paramount Records had taken notice of the success of Cajun artists on Columbia, RCA and ARC. Soon, they too were scouting musicians from south Louisiana to record. The first session was in January on 1929 and featured accordionist John Bertrand and  guitarist Milton Pitre. By the time the records had come out Milton Pitre had been shot and killed in a dispute over a woman. So for his second session in March of 1929, he brought along a guitarist from Acadia Parish, named Roy Gonzales and his son Anthony.For the third session in July of 1929, Roy Gonzales returned along with the duo of Leo Soieau and Moise Robin. Fiddler Leo Soileau had lost his original accordion player, Mayuse LeFleur, when he too was killed. He returned to recording with Moise on this session for Paramount.After these sessions, the label didn't pursue any more Cajun artists. Soon after after the Depression the label would be folding up. John Bertrand along with Roy Gonzales would not record again. Leo Soileau would keep busy recording well into the late thirties. Leo Soileau and Moise Robin- Easy Rider Blues (Paramount 12808) John Bertrand and Milton Pitre- Valse De Gueydan (Paramount 12748)Roy Gonzales- Anuiont Et Bleue (Paramount 12832)Leo Soileau and Moise Robin- Ma Chere Tite Fille (Paramount 12808)John Bertrand and Milton Pitre- The Rabbit Stole the Pumpkin (Paramount 12730)Leo Soileau and Moise Robin- Ce Pas La Pienne Tu Pleur (Paramount 12908)Roy Gonzales- Un Fussi Qui Brille (Paramount 12807)John Bertrand and Milton Pitre- Cousinne Lilly (Paramount 12725)Leo Soileau and Moise Robin- Ma Mauvaus Fille (Paramount 12830)John Bertrand and Roy Gonzales- Choctaw Beer Blues (unissued Paramount)Leo Soileau and Moise Robin- Je Te Recontrais De La Brulier (Parmount 12908)Roy Gonzales- Attendre Pour Un Train (Paramount 12807)All selections taken from The Rise and Fall Of Paramount Records Volume 2with the exception of Paramount 12807 (thanks to Wade Falcon)