"La Vie Malheureuse" - Walker Brothers

Cajun accordionist Lawrence Walker became well known in the 1930s both in Louisiana and in Texas, specifically Dallas.  Walker's first encounter with travelling to Dallas would be for Brunswick records in 1929.  There, he and his brother, Joseph Elton, recorded two sides, one being "La Vie Malheureuse" (#381).  It contained similarities with Joe Falcon's recording "Poche Town".  However, the music after 1930 began to change to the string sound.  Contemporaries of Lawrence used the melody in their string band recordings, such as Happy Fats' 1935 recording of "La Valse De L'Amour" and Cleoma Falcon's 1936 recording of "Mon Favori".  Even Walker's accordion finally succumbed to the flood of string bands during the late 1930s and early 40s.  

Oh, pourquoi donc tu fais ça. 

Tu connais j'mérite pas ça, 

Ça t'as fait, joli cœur.

Oh, j'ai prié, j'ai pleuré, 

Pour t'avoir plus personne,

Pourquoi donc tu viens pas?.

Oh, tous les soirs tu rouler,

Pour t'avoir plus personne,

Pour quoi donc ton tout seul.

Stephen Castille, Norris Mire,
Aldus "Popeye" Broussard
1936 Texas Centennial Tryouts
North Rayne Elementary 1,7

Folklorist Lauren Post gathered Lawrence for a Cajun music ensemble to be featured in that city.  Though Lawrence was not a "full-bred" Cajun, he spoke Cajun French well and put together a group to travel back to Dallas.4  In 1936, he was featured at the National Folk Festival in Dallas, Texas, accompanied by the Broussard Family Band.1,6  His band won rave reviews and came in first place.  It featured Aldus "Popeye" Broussard on fiddle, Sidney Broussard on fiddle, Junior Broussard on guitar, Norris Mire on accordion, and Evelyn Broussard on triangle and vocals.  Joining them was Elemore Sonnier, a solo vocalist from Scott.  These were the first appearances that brought Cajun music to the public's attention on a national level.1,3

Rayne Tribune
June 26, 1936

Over the years there were many other contests where he was challenged by the various other accordion players.  During these showdowns, the crowds were usually the judges.  Lawrence always won.  He was known far and wide as “King of the Accordion Players” at that time.  He was also quite well known for his great showmanship with his instrument.  It is said that he could completely captivate his audience in a way few accordion players ever have.5  

Oh, why have you done that,

You know I don't deserve that,

That you've done, pretty sweetheart.

Oh, I've prayed, I've cried,

For you have no one,

So, why don't you return?

Oh, every night, you roam around,

For you have no one,

That's why you're all alone.

Despite his notoriety as a musician, Walker made the bulk of his living as a rice farmer until after World War II, when he returned to Louisiana and played in clubs throughout southern Texas with his band the Wandering Aces.2    Nathan Abshire used it in his "Iota Two Step" in 1949.  Not to be outdone, Lawrence re-recorded the song as "Waltz of Regret" in 1955.  By the early 1960s, Aldus Roger stepped into the J.D. Miller studio and took Walker's "La Vie Malheureuse" and renamed it "La Valse De Misere. 

1. Cajun Dancehall Heyday by Ron Yule
2. http://www.mtv.com/artists/lawrence-walker/
3. The Encyclopedia of Country Music
4. South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous By John Broven
5. http://art-good-pic-co.50webs.com/lawrence-walker-king-of-the-accordion-players-844103.html
6. http://www.flattownmusic.com/Lawrence-Walker.aspx
7. NOTE: The photo shown in this article has been historically mistaken as a photo of the Breaux brothers.  This photo has been officially corrected in this blog.
8. NOTE: Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004) has both Brunswick 381 sides reversed.

Release Info:
DAL-545 La Breakdown La Louisianne | Brunswick 381
DAL-546 La Vie Malheureuse | Brunswick 381

DAL-545 La Breakdown La Louisianne | Brunswick 80084
DAL-546 La Vie Malheureuse | Brunswick 80084

Find:

Louisiana Cajun Music Volume 1: First Recordings - The 1920's (Old Timey, 1970)
Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004)