Canray Fontenot and Bois Sec Ardoin

[@michaelbrand8279]

Canray Fontenot was one of the greatest Creole fiddlers ever! I was fortunate to see him perform live several times back in the 90s (often with his long-time musical partner Bois Sec Ardoin)!

[@lelebaybee1992]

Thank You for uploading this it feels good to see my uncle Alphonse again since he passed away. His grandson Sean performed last night at a heritage festival in my city i had to work so i didnt get to see my cousin or my uncles. There are no more elder ardoins anymore his brother delphin passed away 2 years ago and my great grandmother his sister died in 2001. He was indeed my favorite uncle even tho i couldnt understand a word he would say to me when we went to his house lol. but thank you

[@marin4311]

There is a true African feel in his voice. It's very moving.

[@senecacolbert7377]

Ahh yes it is,,and you are so right my friend .they got me tearing up.but good tears indeed,,,

[@stevecajun]

There music is studied today by anyone wanting to learn Creole style. I too played and jammed with both in LA and WV. Canray played one of my fiddles which I lent to him for a gig. I played at Bois Sec's 90th birthday party in Eunice.

[@missbritt288]

I love it . When creoles sing its like they are crying you can feel the emotion all over, Ive listened to other North American French music , from Quebec , Acadia ,it is more domesticated but this here is raw , no airs put on , true blues .

[@sblackmore5931]

Bianca Britt Agree with you 100%! My grandpa was from the south and he played accordion for me and gave me a mini washboard to play with him. It’s always much more lively and you can FEEL it more!

[@DaWizard11]

Look up a documentary called "En r’venant de St-Hilarion".

[@darioussmith3450]

@@sblackmore5931 is bios sec singing in Kouri vini (Louisiana Creole) or Louisiana French or Cajun (Acadian ). This is Cajun music but what language is he singing in?

[@nozecone]

"More domesticated" is a good way of putting it ... and it reflects what seems a dominant impulse in Canadian folk music of all kinds; that is, toward "domestication" or "gentrification" ... unfortunately ......

[@VintonChowderhead]

@@nozecone It's because Cajun/Creole music has so much influence from the slaves, which Quebec, and Acadian Canada, didn't have. Quebecois and Acadian music is very Scotch-Irish and French, the same as Cajun, but like I said, the African syncopation really helped to make Cajun music distinct. If you listen to some of the more "white" Cajun tunes, you'll see they sound very Quebecois/Acadian. I love both kinds of music, and people, but I agree... Cajun/Creole is better, heheh!

[@EricBreaux]

It's hard to believe that this video has only been viewed 1,500 times for being 1 year on youtube... (todays date is march 18 2009) It is a historic piece of footage from very talented musicians from South Louisiana. The whole world should know of this music...eat your heart out Kanye West

[@Hughesbayou]

I've been lucky enough to have met and directly learned some fiddling from Canray and accordion from Bois Sec. At the time I wasn't really good enough on either instrument to really get it all but I sure do remember those years back in the 80s. Notice how Canray's fingers hardly seem to move, not a lot of obvious action there. What you can't see is that sometimes he uses the "wrong" finger for a note, using his first finger where normally one would use their second. But he also has complete mastery over his fourth finger, it never comes out of position and although he would sometimes slide his third finger up for the unison he also would use his fourth finger. I asked him about that and he said, "oh yah, my fingers just do what they need to" and it made me aware that what finger one uses is of far less importance than the sound you get. Jumping to a second finger position with the first gives a different rhythm than just putting your second finger on that note and it also makes certain slide sounds that you can't get otherwise. Another thing to notice is that is left elbow is tucked in tight against his body making the way he holds the fiddle much easier. A classically trained violinist would not do this. And pay careful attention to his bowing technique and how his wrist and elbow work depending on the rhythm of the song. His bow grip is very light. There's more to fiddling than just hitting the correct notes.

[@meloderon]

+Hugh Robertson : Thank you so much for the information. What you wrote is why younger fiddlers/violinplayers want to learn from the old masters. They do things in their own way or how they learned it on their cigarboxfiddles :-)

[@deborahwhy3637]

📡🌚 voila! 🌬🌫 l'musique d'alma. 🎼 bon soire, moreau especial!! 🎻🎤c'est bon! 🤍🎶🪗🖖🏽

[@SteveGoldfield]

At the very beginning, you can see some stairs. I think this is in the same house in Newport where Alan Lomax filmed a lot of music in 1966. There's a Vestapol video (now CD) called "Billy in the Lowground." It starts with the fiddling of Clark Kessinger, and Bois Sec gets up and buck dances along with Willard Watson.

[@alexw961]

Just found that video on youtube. That is truly incredible. Bois Sec could do it all.

[@pjchmiel]

Unbelievably good, shows these two legendary men in the prime of their lives. I'm just astounded by the energy and vitality of the performance. Thank you for sharing!

[@ConradClemenz]

Bravo, c'est excellent je vous félicite pour le bon rythme un cordial et amical salut de Paris (la France)

[@meloderon]

The first song is the Eunice Two Step and the second Bonsoir Moreau.

[@stegoly]

I am so happy this video exists and has been posted. Canray is such a good man, just seeing his warm smile makes one feel ready to enjoy life. I would have loved to attend his concert. His music lives with us.

[@hilmarwensorra1215]

In VERY loving memory of Mr. Alphonse Ardoin (1915 - 2007 R.I.P. Gone but NOT forgotten)

[@blairkilpatrick4153]

Stunning to see them so young and vigorous! I was lucky to meet and play with both of them in their later years, in the early 90s.. Met them at music camp in WV, visited Canray at his home, also entertained Bois Sec and his family band in our home in Chicago. Thank you for sharing this!!

[@lelebaybee1992]

My grandfather Leroy Ballou is his nephew. Uncle Alphonse and my grandfathers Mother Dolvina Ardoin Ballou are sister and brother. I used to go to duralde all the time when i was little but since Unc Delphin died we dont go much. The last time we went down there was to see Uncle Morris and then we went to Ceasar Cemetery. Yes i do believe i remember your mom Emily I haven't seen lawerence or ronald since my granfathers sisters funeral. but for the most part i see them from time to time.

[@jean-paulraillat3293]

bravo, messieurs, thielle music o zou fiat la goule olé du saintongeais maritime entre la rochelle et bordeaux, super jp de royan en saintonge maritime de l'autre coté c'est le Médoc!!!pour étancher la soif!!!! bravo pour votre musique qui enchante mon coeur::: super jpr

[@SStockstill]

I believe this is from the 1966 Newport Folk Festival taken by Alan Lomax and his crew. You can listen to the recordings for free, they're part of the Library of Congress.

[@hairnsap]

the emotion in their voices is killin' it !!! love it

[@electricearth1101]

this is that type of music that makes you throw out your whole animal collective cd collection.

[@bytorbusch]

Had this on in the background had me flashing back to when I was stationed in Louisiana

[@alexmichtomonpral8420]

Antique et toujours d'actualité... 🙏🏼

[@o0sunsi0o]

My introduction to Canray Fontenot and Bois Sec Aroin what a great sound thanks for sharing! :)

[@andrear6094]

Very beautiful!

[@zphil]

@struth35 from my reading I believe the occasions this kind of music was played at were called La La or picnic or zydeco and the names were loosely applied to the music. I believe that Clifton Chenier then appropriated the word Zydeco to his own fusing of blues, R&B and traditional creole music and Zydeco has since stuck as a general term for this kind of music originating from the Creole community, which has developed over the years.

[@Louisiananews]

I miss them both..we have lost a lot of our old friends

[@duanecolbert3392]

And Canray will make you cry.they were awesome

[@mediageneration]

This is a wonderful performance. They are both amazing players and Bonsoir Morreau is my favorite Canry song.

[@tonewoods]

...i ran sound for what was apparently their last gig together... Orcas Island, 1995... Only wish i had recorded it... :-(

[@francaisemichif]

great songs!two great creole musicians!i hope ther r others to carry on!

[@ZiplineShazam]

YES !!! Fantastic Healing Hootenanny Love unto you Now. May Gorgeous Laughing Dance Steps Align perfectly within the Harmony of your inner true grit cajun. Yes. Damn Right. This music brings happiness and harmony to the pain of daily living. Resurrect the natural Beauty of Louisana. Burn down the corporate shopping malls.

[@jamey9758]

The sound is great, the playing fantastic. Great video!

[@bertharady6558]

Wonderful music!

[@chrisridgers4325]

Just found this. It's so........cool(?). Looking for more. Love it.

[@cajunlady1204]

@VoyageTonFlag This is wonderful. you have made a whole family happy. My Mom watched this and cried. This was her father. If you have anything else or know of any others, be let me know. Again, thanks.

[@neilbrank8053]

Damned these men burned it down - creole/zydeco this is your roots

[@chetawitko7031]

Aïiiiiii!!! Les deux légends!

[@michaelbrand8279]

Love it! Like traveling back in time!

[@Sittingowlspeaks]

Louisiana Cajun Country Music...vivre le Lousianne !!!

[@hatchertiger]

Two Cajun music legends and rightfully so!

[@hatchertiger]

No but they are Cajun music legends.

[@roybabineaux5353]

+Anne Jackson it's Cajun they made Cajun and Zydeco music Amede Ardoin is know as the father of Cajun style and the precursor to zydeco style.

[@pfowler8310]

Neither of these two men cajun, strait CREOLE!

[@hatchertiger]

@@pfowler8310 No but they are Cajun music legends.

[@fiddlepeg]

Thank you, that's some good, good music!

[@Tikitom1]

God Bless you Bois...we miss you.

[@mmenier]

I think it is PawPaw in the background to Chris. This is the first time I see this. He is playing the triangle.

[@mrskelligurl]

Beautiful!

[@bclj2001]

i miss you pop it was an honor being your great grandchild and seeing you when i would go see paw paw(Morris) and Maw Maw(clementine).

[@lelebaybee1992]

Yea so he's my great great uncle. through my grandfather Leroy Ballou.

[@tamaracolbert1435]

Are talking about Canray or Bois sec?

[@pfowler8310]

@@tamaracolbert1435 boi sec

[@meloderon]

Earlier comments !!! pomea (5 months ago) Thanks very much! Priceless! Yvieboy (5 months ago) Schitterend! Thanks, Ron! treemonisha2006 (4 months ago) Wonderful and Timeless clip! More valuable now than ever. For everyone that sees this clip please keep the family of Bois Sec in your prayers! Bois Sec has fallen terminally ill.

[@cajunlady1204]

In the background is my grandfather Isom J. Fontenot. Yo can barely see him. But I know that is him.

[@stephenconvey7884]

Thank you

[@dfb1111]

Simply Wow!

[@beaujocquemouton1293]

My cousin Anders j espree who they called Beaujocque but my real name is Beaujocque Mouton nice music

[@sarahpeters9864]

thees are the gods who knew this QUEN, when WE were invisvlble. Thank GOD for them each day

[@jbm0745]

@cajunlady1204 Sure is Isom Fontenot! I never noticed that, thanks for pointing that out! It's pretty safe to say your grandfather was the best know harmonica player in cajun music.

[@tuxthelux]

eunice two step is definitely my all time fave

[@TheSa666666]

brilliant!!

[@francaisemichif]

if im not mistaken,this is creole music and not zydeco!

[@meloderon]

More earlier comments !!! PatrimoineAcadiencom (2 months ago) What a marvelous archive clip! Wonderful. Made my day. Robert Richard New Brunswick, Canada. prettyboy1970 (2 months ago) Nice! Thank you. madmodpo (2 months ago) wow. mille mercis

[@duanecolbert3392]

Ah man Bois Sec could git it.man he sang the hell out it and played just as fine

[@DJRenee]

@francaisemichif it is a Creole' French dialect from around the Lafayette area....a mix of French,Spanish,German,African,American Indian.....come visit us one week...you will enjoy yourself...rich rich culture...for more information, check out or buy one of John Folse books...a local chef and historian from South Louisiana...hope this helps....

[@francaisemichif]

@djrenee i will take you up on your offer,ill keep in touch,thanks

[@meloderon]

I also think that this music sounds more cajun than zydeco. It's the more Creole version of cajun, I think. I love that version.

[@kevinrees5855]

This is old Creole - the father of Zydeco.

[@ronvandoorneveld3213]

@@kevinrees5855 Amadee Ardoin ?

[@pfowler8310]

@@ronvandoorneveld3213 his nephew playing the accordion”Bois sec Ardoin and Canray Fontenot playing the fiddle”. Bois sec is the grandfather of zydeco legends Chris ardoin snd Sean ardoin!

[@nealpomea2836]

Absolutely Cajun

[@francaisemichif]

my friend from quebec cant understand theses songs.wer or how do u learn th language?

[@meloderon]

@francaisemichif If your friend from Quebec speaks French, I think he can understand more than I do. For the lyrics I need a dictionary or a translations to English. The language is Cajun French.

[@MrHanz13]

superbe

[@knechtsand3178]

genious

[@meloderon]

More earlier comments !!! stevekiviat (3 weeks ago) Farewell Bois Sec. R.I.P. Luvwill68 (2 weeks ago) Very Nice Video!RIP Great Uncle Bois Sec;I know that you and Momo Helen(sister)isn't in any more pains.Uncle Bois Sec was loved by many and will be missed by many.He was funeralized today(May 21,2007) at the age of 92 and he raised 14 kids.He has lived his life. mrmagnificent2k5 (2 weeks ago) R.I.P Papa Youll really be miss. It was a honor being your grandchild

[@zphil]

@francaisemichif I think you can call it both but creole would seem to be a closer term

[@michelforet4790]

Ce n' est pas du Français mais une mixture avec du Créole et du vieux Français mais à part ça, j' aime cette mélodie .

[@Sigh]

thats so cool!

[@darioussmith3450]

is bios sec singing in Kouri vini (Louisiana Creole) or Louisiana French or Cajun (Acadian ). This is Cajun music but what language is he singing in?

[@cassandralindahl3551]

who else is here because this was in their school assignment? lol

[@meloderon]

@francaisemichif You are completely right.

[@LiLiLit]

Is he singing in creole or French or LA French?

[@marin4311]

It's creole. As a French, I can't understand most of what he's saying.

[@michelvansteenberge571]

C'est un mélange de vieux Français et de créole. Je ne comprends pas très bien les paroles très bien les paroles. Bonsoir Moreau, la lune est couchée , le soleil est levé : paroles que j'ai comprises dans la 2ème chanson.

[@montella111]

Not Cajun French - Louisiana Creole!

[@TheFlite29]

What is the first song they play. It sounds like Two Step De Eunice to me but I am not really sure. Can anybody help me identify?

[@ronvandoorneveld3213]

Joshua Savoie You're right with the two step :-)

[@darioussmith3450]

This cajun music but is he singing in creole or cajun?

[@jillianbray6220]

How are you related to him? He is my grandfather. Do you know Emily Ardoin? She is my mom, sister to Uncle Black-Sean's dad.

[@lexxlexx1904]

Wow! Wot can I say a real education for head am heart

[@michaelboylan5308]

The Louisiana creoles are the descendants of the French expelled from Acadia in Canada by the British, The Acadians were from Brittany and the Bretons were originally Brittani Celts pushed out of England by the Anglo Saxons, Is that why Bois Sec sounds Irish? Or is it an Appalachian Scots Irish sound down the Mississippi?

[@meloderon]

Really don't know why. In the swamps were a lot of people with different origin.

[@pfowler8310]

Unfortunately, slavery. France owned Louisiana area and unfortunately that’s why my family and others of Southwest Louisiana and the Orleans area spoke “creole French”

[@geezer71655]

AAIIEE........I got the happy feet........AAIIEE

[@zphil]

I dont think Zydeco was applied to early Cajun music as that is usually applied to music from the white French community

[@donaldduck2405]

My dad (Hak/Hac)Harold P. Fontenot's cousin.

[@nozecone]

So he's your cousin, too ... !

[@donaldduck2405]

@@nozecone yes that's true. Every Sunday morning while getting ready for church my mom or dad would blast his album.

[@nozecone]

@@donaldduck2405 'Getting ready for church'? Now, that's funny ... ! My father would sometimes put George Beverly Shea or Mahalia Jackson on the turntable on Sunday morning - but that's as wild as it got ... !

[@duanecolbert9196]

I love Amede but I prefer BoisSec singing over Amede version ,Bois Sec is a music man

[@StaddenMcFadden]

Le français cajun est different parce qu'il y a plus de l'argot et c'est un autre dialect. Comme le français Louisianais mais plus comme créole.

[@viniboy514]

sa ressemble à du créole mélangé avec du français acadien.

[@nealpomea2836]

Eunice Two Step

[@struth35]

nekosama, this is not really zydaco. I dont want to sound like a music snob, but this is qualitatively quited different from what zydaco was/is. Most people use "zydeco" synonimusly with earlier cajun music, but zydeco was really a juxtaposition of rhymic and instuental elements from R+B and early rock and roll. now a days its more genaral. The earlier, pre-zydeco stuff is definetly WAY cooler in my opinion.

[@jessecampos8984]

No

[@YTMsg]

JESUS CHRIST IS GOD, that's clear. He said: I and the Father are one. Seek JESUS CHRIST and get saved !