I've only got three cajun comps and would like to explore this genre further. Are there any good comps or artist CD's of classic cajun that you would recommend?

The three that I've got are:

Cajun vol.1 - Abbeville Breakdown (Columbia)
Another Saturday Night - 20 Cajun Classics (Ace)
More Cajun Classics (Ace)

Not sure I'd call any of these "classic" per se.

I really like Beausoleil. Their "Bayou Cadillac" CD is particularly enjoyable.

Zachary Richard's "Mardi Gras Mambo" is another enjoyable disc.

If you're interested in getting more into Zydeco, anything by Terrance Simien is a must-have in my opinion.

Check out http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com for a VERY wide selection of Cajun, Zydeco, New Orleans R&B. Their prices aren't always the lowest, but the selection can't be beat. And, if you give them a call, I'm sure they'd be happy to make recommendations! (They also have audio samples for most discs listed on their site.)

Thanks, Jon. Is zydeco just a modern kind of cajun?

I'd recommend Clifton Chenier "Louisiana Blues and Zydeco", it's a great compilation.

Yes, I've heard of Clifton Chenier, will check him out. Thanks!

Here's a decent explanation, which I found on the web: (I highlilghted the sentence that I feel is the most pertinent.)

But, just to clarify, the Cajuns settled in Southwest Louisiana, and very few of them settled in New Orleans. And there is a difference between Cajun and zydeco, although there is a lot of crossover. The former is derived from the music of the Cajuns, who, as any guide book will tell you, are descendents of 3,000 some-odd French Canadians who moved to Louisiana in the mid-1700s. Zydeco is the music of Sotuhwestern Lousiana's Creole population.

<b>The primary instrument of Cajun music is usually the fiddle; the primary instrument of zydeco is usually the accordion. Cajun music tends to sound a lot folksier, while zydeco tends to have a lot of rhythm and blues influence. </b> Also, Cajun musically is usually sung in French, while zydeco tends nowadays to be sung in English. These are not absolute distinctions, of course. The two musical styles grew up alongside each other and influenced each other, and still do to this day.

It's the R&B connection that makes me prefer Zydeco. Cajun has more of a "country-ish" sound to my ears.

Still amazes me that Cajun and Zydeco are worldwide now. I grew up in Acadiana... Zachary Richard and David and Michael Doucet of Beausoleil went to high school with my brothers and I.

You may want to try some Swamp Pop as well.

I grew up going to see bands like Clifton Chenier and Good Rockin' Dopsey (now their kids have versions of their deceased fathers' bands).. and then bands like Beausoleil made the scene. Cajun music was looked down on when we were kids (French parents trying to americanize their kids, telling us to avoid that "Chanky-Chank" music)... so of course that's the music that we sought out.

One of the things I find so charming about cajun is that the vocals sound completely different from French vocals. You realize this music was made by a tiny minority in the US.

For something a little different, I'm gonna give another plug to Evangeline Made, a tribute album that features rock stars like Linda Ronstadt, John Fogerty, Nick Lowe, and David Johansen covering cajun classics. It all works extremely well.

Awesome Kurt! New Orleans is my home away from home, I absolutely adore the city. Spent two weeks in the quarter at an old, old, old inn a few years back...haven't returned since Katrina though. Not because of what happened, just because I haven't had the opportunity. Nothing beats spending the night off Bourbon St. in some non-"mainstream tourist" bar while a Zydeco band jams for hours.
What area of the state are you from?

I totatally agree with Jimbo on this comp. It is excellant almost 90% through. And I am not a big Cajun fan but these artists really bring life to these songs. Good choice Jimbo.

Kurt, I've checked your swamp pop link, and yes, I'm familiar with it. Got the two Excello comps from Rhino and of course I know Bobby Charles, whom I'll get round to. And the song "Sea of Love" featured prominently in an Al Pacino movie.

Jimbo, I've checked your recommendation. It's nearly all sung in French and the CD is not too expensive. Could be an interesting primer.

Thanks, guys.

I'm from Lafayette, spent a lot of my youth in St. Martinville where my parents are from (the setting for Evangeline), live in Baton Rouge now.

My first TV job was working for the CBS affiliate in Lafayette. We signed on with the praying of the rosary in French, then went to a French morning news show that featured local bands (more Cajun than Zydeco). Half of our noon news was in French as well.

Just by moving across the Atchafalaya to Baton Rouge, a 45 minute drive, I'm almost totally away from the Cajun culture.

I would check out the Arhoolie label. They have a whole batch of Cajun releases. I used to check them out each time we'd get them in at the public radio station I worked at. And to be quite honest I've not heard a bad one from the label.

Thanks, Willy. I thought Arhoolie only did blues. I'd almost forgotten about that label.

Belton Richard is a must check out for passionate Cajun music practioners.

Great voice, great playing, and great originals and covers in English and French.

Thanks, Z phage. Is Belton Richard a contemporary artist?

From the mid 50's till present

Some Doug Kershaw is worthwhile and since he is known to being more energetic in a live setting I recommend the "Alive & Pickin'/The Louisiana Man" twofer for the "Alive & Pickin'" part of the disc as THE definitive introduction to his talent.

Thanks, Bradley, I'll do a little research on him.