Cajun music

Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin. These French Louisiana sounds have influenced American popular music for many decades, especially country music, and have influenced pop culture through mass media, such as television commercials. Aural analysis[edit] Cajun music is relatively harsh with an infectious beat and a lot of forward drive, placing the accordion at the center. Subgenres of Cajun music[edit] Traditional Cajun[edit] Country and Texas swing Cajun[edit] Main article: Western swing This style involves heavy elements of Texas country music influence and a move away from the traditional accordion. Dancehall Cajun[edit] Cajun "renaissance"[edit] Contemporary Cajun music[edit] Doug Kershaw recorded "Louisiana Man", an autobiographical song that he had written while in the army. Lyrics[edit]

Creole music Creole music applies to two genres of music from south Louisiana: Creole folk and Louisiana Creole. Creole folk dates from the 18th century or before, and it consists primarily of folk songs. Many were published, and some found their way into works by Louisiana composers such as Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Basil Barès, Camille Nickerson, and Moses Hogan. Louisiana Creole is preserved primarily in the form of recordings rather than sheet music. Along with Cajun music, Louisiana Creole music played a role in early development of la-la, zydeco, and swamp pop. Creole folk music[edit] One possible definition of Creole folk music is this: melodies, sometimes including dance-related instrumental accompaniments, sung in French patois by Creole people of French and African descent; however, this depends on a definition of Creole people, which is notoriously problematic. Cultural Setting and Congo Square[edit] Congo Square in New Orleans Songs Sung at Good Hope Plantation, St. The Louisiana Lady[edit]

Zydeco Zydeco is a musical genre evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers[1] which blends Cajun music, blues and rhythm and blues. Origin of term[edit] Though disputed, it is commonly suggested that "zydeco" derives from the French phrase Les haricots ne sont pas salés, which, when spoken in the Louisiana Creole French, sounds as "leh-zy-dee-co nay sohn pah salay". Initially, several different spellings of the word existed, including "zarico" and "zodico". In an alternative theory the term derives from the Atakapa people, whose forcibly enslaved women were well known for forming marital unions with male African slaves in the early 1700s. Another possible root word for zydeco is as a West African term for Musicking. Musical style[edit] Early history[edit] Early Creole musicians playing an accordion and a washboard in front of a store, near New Iberia, Louisiana (1938). Post-war history[edit] More recent zydeco artists include Lil’ Nate, Leon Chavis, Mo' Mojo and Kenne’ Wayne.