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Claude Faulk Interview, 1983

I had met Clifton Chenier several times with my husband Marc, who was a good friend of Clifton. Marc used to go to listen to Clifton at various venues and Clifton would always ask him to come up on the stage and play his “little accordion” (in contrast to Clifton’s piano key accordion!). Clifton had a friend named Helen Faulk and she was the daughter of Claude Faulk, the man, Clifton said, who taught him everything.

So of course I had to meet and interview Claude Faulk. Helen and Clifton took me to his house. He was a lovely, gentle man and had his buddy Dupré, his rubboard player, with him. So I interviewed him and then they sat on the sofa and played me some tunes, in the style they called Lala.This was the music from which zydeco developed, a non-electric, soulful, bluesy style. I also filmed them at his house the same day.

-Ann Savoy

Claude Faulk
Photo by Ann Savoy
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  • Claude Faulk 00:00
Interviewee: Claude Faulk
Interviewer: Ann Savoy
Date: Summer 1983
Location: Claude’s Home in Lafayette, LA
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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