Customer Reviews

Cajun Music: A Reflection of the People (Volume 1)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I literally stumbled upon Ann's book in a large chain bookstore in Hoboken, NJ, of all places. I had just so happened to be looking for a book on Cajun music -- and there it was right in the title! The amazing degree of research that was put into this book is obvious at first glance and the interviews and stories are absolutely priceless for anyone interested in understanding not only the music of these unique people, but also the driving forces behind them as a harmony of cultures. Ann's personal commitment is evident as she provides us with transcribed sheet music, translations from Cajun and Creole French, once forgotten tales, and old photographs that we should all feel lucky to be able to experience and enjoy.

Ms. Savoy, wife of the Marc Savoy, maker of the great Cajun accordions, has produced a great work of scholarship that combines expertise in the Cajun cultural and musical tradition, with marvelous transcriptions of music and photographs of the greats of Cajun music.

This is an absolutely essential work for the folklorist, Cajun music, dance, and culture afficionado, Louisianan and Australian alike. For younger Louisianans who are being introduced into their own cultural tradition, this will be one of their "bibles".

Get your "sea" or "ski" legs in Louisiana by assimilating Ms. Savoy's work first--whether you are a musician, dancer, student of regional American tradition, or want to learn about on of the great living cultural areas remaining in America.

I love this book but there is no index! If you want to find a tune you have to wade through all the entries in the table of contents, which is do-able but a pain. Why wasn't there an index of song titles?

Looking past that you will love this book if you love cajun music. An amazing collection.

Wow! What can I say about this book, except it is absolutely amazing. It has so many stories, interviews with musicians, songs with lyrics in French and English and even lots of old pictures. This is a definite must have for the Cajun music fan.