jambalaya - Cajun Life - Cajun Music - Cajun Food - Cajun Culture

Posts tagged "jambalaya"

How to Make Jambalaya : Garnishing Cajun Jambalaya

How to garnish authentic Cajun jambalaya; learn more about making traditional Cajun food in this free cooking video.

Expert: David Postada
Contact: www.thebigeasycateringcompany.com
Bio: David Postada is the chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, CA.
Filmmaker: Diana Bacon

Duration : 0:1:30

JAMBALAYA (on the bayou) – cover

…normally a fox trot or ballad thought using Cajun music as background would be appropriate for this song. “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” is a song credited to American country music singer Hank Williams that was first released in 1952. Named for a Creole and Cajun dish, jambalaya, it spawned numerous cover versions and has since achieved popularity in a number of music genres. Cajun Roots of the Song
Since the original melody of the song was from a Cajun French song called “Grand Texas”, the song is a staple of cajun culture. Although Williams changed the lyrics, he kept a Louisiana theme. In addition, Cajuns readily identified with the soulful sound of Williams. After Williams released his version, Cajuns recorded the song again using Cajun instruments. However, this time they used Williams’ lyrics translated into the Cajun French language. Over the past few decades, the Cajun French version has been performed by many Cajun bands including Aldus Roger and Jo-El Sonnier. Williams’ song resembles “Grand Texas”, a Cajun French song, in melody only. “Grand Texas” is a song about a lost love, a woman who left the singer to go with another man to “Big Texas”. Jambalaya, alternately, is about life, parties and stereotypical food of Cajun cuisine. The song has a Cajun theme, possibly inspired by Williams’ time with the Louisiana Hayride, though Louisiana Hayride was recorded in Shreveport, a city with very little Cajun cultural influence. Referenced within the song are such Cajun dishes as jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. Williams sings of “Yvonne” in the song, referring to her as my ma cher amio, which is considered poor Cajun French for “my dear” (redundantly Williams uses the word “my” before the French “ma”), and has caused some confusion among listeners, particularly given his pronunciation. The refrain “son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou” has become a well-recognized and often repeated phrase Williams composed a sequel to the song from the female perspective, “I’m Yvonne (Of the Bayou)”, with Jimmy Rule. It was not as popular. As with “Jambalaya” there is speculation that Williams may have purchased this song from Mullican.
Later researched by a member of Moon’s family, a story emerged about how the song came about in the first place, and it was said that while visiting a small bar located just south of the Choupique Bayou and owned by Yvonne Little, the song Jambalaya referred to some truly wonderful times had there The Carpenters featured the song, in an uptempo MOR version with country flourishes, on their 1973 album Now & Then. Their version was released as a single outside the United States in 1974 and sold well in the U.K. and Japan.
Other artists who have performed the song include Jerry Lee Lewis, Leon Russell, Charley Pride, Jimmy Buffett, Jeff Healey on his 2008 album Mess of Blues, Emmylou Harris included it in her 1976 album Elite Hotel, Moon Mullican, John Fogerty (under the name of The Blue Ridge Rangers), Gerry & The Pacemakers, Brenda Lee, Harry Connick, Jr., Lucinda Williams, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Billy “Crash” Craddock, George Jones, The Residents, Leo Kottke, Wes Paul, Dolly Parton, Andy Kaufman, Professor Longhair, Freddy Fender, Fats Domino, The White Stripes, Tab Benoit, and Tommy Funderburk (appearing in the film Steel Magnolias), Van Morrison and Linda Gail Lewis on their 2000 album You Win Again among many others.
In India, Usha Iyer (now Usha Uthup) recorded a version in 1968 on the HMV label, that became the best selling song until then, by an Indian artist in English.

Duration : 0:2:26

Music Jam 10-18-09 “Jambalaya” Cover [Hank Williams, Sr.]

Yet another part of our jam [I have lots more to come]. Now I have the mic & am proceeding to sing the classic Hank Williams Song “Jambalaya”. A real favorite amongst jam sessions due to it’s simple 2 chord progression [C & G in this case].

FROM WIKIPEDIA:
“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” is a song credited to American country music singer Hank Williams that was first released in 1952. Named for a Creole and Cajun dish, jambalaya, it spawned numerous cover versions and has since achieved popularity in a number of music genres.

With a melody based on the Cajun song “Grand Texas”, some sources, including Allmusic, claim that the song was co-written by Williams and Moon Mullican, with Mullican uncredited but receiving ongoing royalties. Other sources claim that this was one of several songs which Williams purchased from other writers; a practice that was relatively common at the time.

Released in 1952, crediting Williams as the sole author, it was performed by Williams as a country song. It reached number one on the U.S. country charts for fourteen non consecutive weeks. “Jambalaya” remains one of Hank Williams most popular songs today.

Since the original melody of the song was from a Cajun French song called “Grand Texas”, the song is a staple of cajun culture. Although Williams changed the lyrics, he kept a Louisiana theme. In addition, Cajuns readily identified with the soulful sound of Williams. After Williams released his version, Cajuns recorded the song again using Cajun instruments. However, this time they used Williams’ lyrics translated into the Cajun French language. Over the past few decades, the Cajun French version has been performed by many Cajun bands including Aldus Roger and Jo-El Sonnier.

Duration : 0:2:37

Cajun Music, Dancing & Dining @ Mulate’s in Breaux Bridge LA

Jay Cormier & the Cajun Country Band performing some wonderful Cajun music.
Jamey Bearb (drums) sounds great on the vocal in this tune.
The title is, “The OST Special.”
Most of the Cajun music is still sung in French, but it’s Cajun french.

Mulate’s has it all with music, dancing and food. You can’t allow yourself to miss this fun place if you go anywhere near Lafayette, LA.
Toll Free phone number is 800-422-2586
Mulate’s
325 Mills Avenue
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

Duration : 0:2:59

HOT Cajun Music at Mulate’s in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Jay Cormier & the Cajun Country Band performing a fun Cajun tune at Mulate’s – The Original Cajun Restaurant.

I love this tune and it’s called, “Church Point Breakdown.”

Recorded on 2/28/2007. There is music and dancing every day of the week. Great place to catch if you are anywhere near Lafayette or Breaux Bridge in Louisiana.
Toll Free 800-422-2586
Mulate’s
325 Mills Avenue
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

Duration : 0:3:12

jambalaya – traditional – cover

With a melody based on the Cajun song “Grand Texas”, some sources, including Allmusic, claim that the song was co-written by Williams and Moon Mullican, with Mullican uncredited but receiving ongoing royalties. Other sources[who?] claim that this was one of several songs which Williams purchased from other writers; a practice that was relatively common in “show business” at the time.

Released in 1952, crediting Williams as the sole author, it was performed by Williams as a country song. It reached #1 on the U.S. country charts, and remains one of his most popular songs today.

[edit] Cajun Roots of the Song

Since the original melody of the song was from a Cajun French song called “Grand Texas”, the song is a staple of cajun culture. Although Williams changed the lyrics, he kept a Louisiana theme. In addition, Cajuns readily identified with the soulful sound of Williams. After Williams released his version, Cajuns recorded the song again using Cajun instruments. However, this time they used Williams’ lyrics translated into the Cajun French language. Over the past few decades, the Cajun French version has been performed by many Cajun bands including Aldus Roger and Joel Sonnier.

Duration : 0:1:40