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Mtngoat - Posted - 04/20/2023: 20:01:25
TOTW 04/21/2023 - Mon Vieux Wagon
I’ve chosen Mon Vieux Wagon for this installment of TOTW. I learned the tune from a couple of visiting Louisiana fiddlers who played three or four Cajun tunes for our local jam. This is the only one that stuck in my memory.
Mon Vieux Wagon, which translates as My Old Wagon, appears to be a standard of Cajun fiddling but I could not find any mention of its origin or history. Perhaps a knowledgeable reader can fill in that information for me.
The tune is well represented on the internet. I’ve linked four of my favorites below but a serious student will find many more featuring a variety of artists and instrumentation, all unfortunately sans banjo.
Here’s one from the Balfa Brothers: youtube.com/watch?v=F8d7rhre2oI
Here’s the Foghorn Stringband: youtube.com/watch?v=wg5Fdvza26g
Balfa Toujours’ version is here: youtube.com/watch?v=qn67ZeiaLf8
And here are Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys: youtube.com/watch?v=vRzZxsZD0y0
I could not find a clawhammer banjo tab but a transcription in standard notation can be found in the Folk Tune Finder here: folktunefinder.com/tunes/176741
Mon Vieux Wagon is simple and straight forward, like many of my favorite Appalachian dance tunes, and most folks should be able to pick out a basic arrangement in Double D after listening to the recordings a few times.
My research led me to this Wikipedia article on Cajun music: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_...jun_music and this one on wagons: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon . I found both subjects quite interesting.
I also came across this archived BHO thread regarding the banjo and Cajun music including some links to recordings and tabs: banjohangout.org/archive/314475
Readers are encouraged to post observations, opinions, performances, and tabs contributing to this thread.
trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/21/2023: 10:06:27
Easy peasy. Here's a clawhammerized version. Tune aDADE. Slides into a note are shown as a "/". This might sound really good on a fretless with lots of slides.
Cool tune!
trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/21/2023: 10:33:25
Well, I found a tiny error. A pull-off in the next to last measure shouldn't be there. Here's the updated file...plus an MP3.
Edited by - trapdoor2 on 04/21/2023 10:42:50
Mtngoat - Posted - 04/21/2023: 21:34:06
Marc, thanks for the quick response. I expect a lot of folks will be learning the tune based on your tab. I hope we get a recording of a fiddle banjo duet.
trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/22/2023: 02:03:03
quote:
Originally posted by Mtngoat
Marc, thanks for the quick response. I expect a lot of folks will be learning the tune based on your tab. I hope we get a recording of a fiddle banjo duet.
I sent the tune to our jam's fiddler, and he's interested. We're gonna work on it. We'll probably have Fiddle, Banjo, Mando, and Guitar...bass maybe. I wish we had a singer who could do the lyrics...
Edited by - trapdoor2 on 04/22/2023 02:03:38
JanetB - Posted - 04/22/2023: 12:53:54
You continue to choose winning tunes, Mtngoat! Cajun music like this has such a happy feel and accompany what are now good memories of listening to the Balfa Brothers on long drives.
It was a little hard to decipher melody with so much sound and variety in the Balfa Brothers' Mon Vieux Wagon. I also listened to the Balfa Toujours and caught their unique lick (in measure 14).
Trapdoor did a pleasing recording with those harmonious chords. Hopefully he'll have a band recording for us soon.
Mtngoat - Posted - 04/23/2023: 14:21:58
Janet, just got home after a festival weekend to find your post. Very nice! Thank you for contributing.
Andyrhydycreuau - Posted - 04/25/2023: 11:27:46
A lovely choice, here's my take on it. A really upbeat happy place tune this one. 35 years ago there was a thriving Cajun / Zydeco scene in Derby in the Midlands of England. Though that is a little hard to believe I know.
Two bands stood out, R Cajun and the Zydeco Brothers, and Corn Bread Rough. So this was a little blast from my past in genre terms, though I didn't know the tune.... Thanks for pushing us this way @mtngoat!
Mtngoat - Posted - 04/25/2023: 12:39:18
Andy, Sounds great! You have inspired me to try the Galax Lick in the high part.
All music seems to be international these days due to global population movements and the internet but I imagine 35 years ago a thriving Cajun / Zydeco scene in Derby in the Midlands of England required some work and a true appreciation of the music.
