Iry Lejeune ‎– Viens Me Chercher - Sky Blue n Opaque Red Vinyl - 2XLP

Scholars and music writers universally identify LeJeune as the person responsible for the post-World War II accordion revival in Cajun music. His lasting impact on Louisiana musical traditions came through the recordings he generated during his truncated career. Beginning in 1949, LeJeune expanded his influence on the Folk-Star, Goldband, and TNT labels through his collaboration with local record man Eddie Shuler. Iry’s recordings reinterpreted master Creole accordionist Amédé Ardoin’s repertoire. He reworked material by the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers. LeJeune also penned his own songs about heartache. 

Viens Me Chercher is the brainchild of Steve Weiss, Curator of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library’s Southern Folklife Collection. Across 2020, Iry LeJeune became Steve’s soundtrack to COVIDian times. He combed through the original LeJeune masters housed in the SFC’s Goldband Collection. And, surprisingly, Steve discovered previously unheard master tapes, studio talk, and unreleased alternate takes. It is a treasure trove that brings the listener closer to the music. It provides a glimpse into the recording sessions. It also illuminates the ways in which LeJeune improvised each-and-every performance. That historic material is featured here publicly for the first time, 77 years after Iry’s debut recordings. 

A1        Love Bridge Waltz
A2        Evangeline Special
A3        Calcasieu Waltz
A4        Lacassine Special
A5        Teche Special
A6        Te Mone
A7        Jolie Catin
A8        La Valse De Cajin
B1        Grand Nuit Especial
B2        La Valse Du Grande Chemin
B3        Bayou Pon Pon Special
B4        Waltz Of The Mulberry Limb
B5        La Valse De Bayou Chene
B6        Church Point Brerakdown
B7        I Went To The Dance
B8        Duraldo Waltz
C1        Grande Bosco
C2        I Made A Big Mistake
C3        Come And Get Me
C4        Don't Get Married
C5        Convict Waltz
C6        It Happened To Me
C7        Parting Waltz
C8        Donnes Moi Mon Chapeau
C9        La Fitte La Vove
D1        Grand Nuit Especial
D2        Church Point Breakdown
D3        Duraldo Waltz
D4        Duraldo Waltz
D5        I Went To The Dance
D6        La Valse De Cajin