California Cajun Orchestra: Nonc Adam Two-Step

14 tracks of Franco-Cajun Zydeco & Folk never explain what ‘Nonc’ means beyond, “Let me listen to it all again.” In true two-step form, it’s difficult to sit still through just one song on this album and perhaps more difficult to resist pulling the Horner off the shelf to play along. While I could presume to impress my limited Zydeco upon the reader with my opinion of the album, perhaps it is wiser to read the albums concise liner notes description:

The California Cajun Orchestra, besides being the hottest veteran west coast Cajun band, is a pure example of what the best of the honky tonk southwest Louisiana Cajun bands have been in the past. Whereas nowadays many local Louisiana bands are evolving into Nashville lookalikes, the California Cajun Orchestra delves back through dancehall classics, drawing out and preserving rare and popular gems from the dancehall tradition. – Nonc Adam Two-Step

A San Francisco haunt from the 80s and 90s, this is a band of California Zydeco superstars who’ll teach your chilin’ to tap dance about as fast as you could cook your West Coast grits au gratin.

Unless you’re a soulless investment banker you’ll be sorry to know accordion maestro, Danny Poullard, left the group to seek higher meaning in 2001 and the California Cajun Orchestra officially disbanded. Mr. Poullard (1937-2001) is remembered by his band:

After nearly 2 decades of playing music with Danny I remain fascinated by the way he ornamented Cajun tunes. He was a master at taking the simple and embroidering it in a completely natural sounding way — and now that I think of it, Danny’s way of embellishing the tunes is exactly like Danny himself: stylish, but not flashy, elegant, full of power and grace.

While 2001 signaled the ultimate year for The Orchestra, you’ll be happy to know the spirt of the band still lives with with Eric and Suzy Thompson who motivate the Aux Cajuanls, making ‘aux cajuanal’ (har-de-har) appearances with their Cajun big band at clubs and parties.

 

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0 thoughts on “California Cajun Orchestra: Nonc Adam Two-Step

  1. Where’s the sample???????

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