Robert C. LeBlanc, a native of Port Arthur,
Texas, played music professionally for a short time in the 1970s
with the band Cush Cush based in Lafayette, but he spent most of
his adult life working in the oil field. He now performs music
only as a pastime, gathering with friends to play traditional
music in the old style. Fortunately, he decided to share that
experience with a wider audience by recording a CD.
As he explains in the liner notes, the title
of the CD, "Allons à La Veille Chez Robert," refers to going to
an evening visit with neighbors or relatives, often including
"coffee, supper, gossip, tall tales, and music." The CD, which
was recorded at Mitch and Lisa Reed's Louisiana Heritage and
Gifts Store in Carencro, is a collection of back porch songs,
played by musicians who clearly enjoy getting together.
In addition to LeBlanc's vocals and
accordion playing, another pleasure of listening to the CD is
the twin-fiddling: Mitch Reed with Al Berard seconding. Both
know the old style of fiddling to match perfectly with LeBlanc's
performance. Lisa Reed's rhythm guitar completes the old-time
acoustic sound captured on the CD. Everything is nicely
balanced, with clear vocals that will help non-Cajun listeners
grasp the words
In the liner notes, LeBlanc say that he
chose songs that he heard when he was young in dance halls and
at suppers or boucheries. He also plays some songs he learned
from old records or radio programs. The cuts include familiar
songs like "Hackberry Stomp," "La Valse de Hathaway," "Jongle à
Moi," "Chère Bassette," "Ma Vraie Amitié," "Two-Step de
Lawtell," "Grand Texas," "La Valse de Port Arthur," "La Valse
des Maiches," "La Prairie Ronde," "La Valse de Séparation," and
"Donnez-moi-les," as well as songs you perhaps have not heard
before like "La Chanson de Cinquante Sous," "La Femme Qui Jouait
aux Cartes," "La Valse de Joséphine," and, yes, "La Polka de la
Nouvelle Ibérie"–a total of 20 cuts.
The CD was released by Swallow Records of
Ville Platte in 2005. According to the CD notes, Robert LeBlanc
can be contacted at Robert C. LeBlanc, P. O. Box 52765,
Lafayette, LA 70505.
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