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Bois Sec & Marceline Ardoin Interview

When I lived in Richmond, Virginia, one of my first and favorite Louisiana LPs was an album from the Arhoolie label by Bois Sec Ardoin, Canray Fontenot, and his son, Morris. I loved the simplicity of the accordion style, the soulful tone of the vocals, and the way they spoke the French language. Super high tech, showy musicianship has never touched me deeply, but this did. I learned some of their songs before I learned any Cajun music. Of course, their music was almost all the same tunes Cajuns play, but it was in a simpler style and slightly different rhythmically. When I moved to Louisiana, we went to music parties at Bois Sec and Marceline’s house several times and also to a boucherie. When I taped and interviewed Bois Sec I also filmed him playing many songs accompanied by his son Morris. Bois Sec and Marceline took me to Amédé Ardoin’s girlfriend’s house to find the only other existing photo of Amédé!

-Ann Savoy

Bois Sec and Marceline Ardoin
Photo by Ann Savoy
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  • Bois Sec & Marceline Ardoin I 00:00
  • Bois Sec & Marceline Ardoin II 00:00
Interviewee: Bois Sec & Marceline Ardoin
Interviewer: Ann Savoy
Date: Winter 1984
Location: Lousiana
Language: English

This is an interview originally recorded for research purposes. It is presented here in its raw state, unedited except to remove some irrelevant sections and blank spaces. All rights to the interview are reserved by the Arhoolie Foundation. Please do not use anything from this website without permission. info@arhoolie.org

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Dear friends,

On Giving Tuesday, we announced the capital campaign to purchase our building at 10341 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito — home to the Arhoolie Foundation (and before that Arhoolie Records), Les Blank Films, and Down Home Music Store since 1976. We’ve been heartened by the community’s response to our fundraising announcement. To all who have donated so far: thank you. We couldn’t do this without you.

Now, while there is a contract in place to buy the building in partnership with Les Blank Films, we need to raise $1.2 million — our half of the purchase price — by April 15. Donations to the campaign can be made via the link below, by check, or by bank transfer. (To make a bank transfer, please email us at info@arhoolie.org).

In the new year, we look forward to collaborating with Les Blank Films and Down Home Music to bring more public programming to our community. We plan to revive Les Blank and Chris Strachwitz’s tradition of in-store film screenings and will host more informal, free performances and gatherings in the store as part of our outreach work. We believe this collaboration will result in a vibrant community gathering place dedicated to music, film, and deep roots culture.

If you’re interested in donating and would like to discuss our plans for the building, please don’t hesitate to email director Adam Machado at adam@arhoolie.org.

Thank you for your support as we begin this exciting new chapter!

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