"Mermentan Stomp" - Hackberry Ramblers

Starting in 1933, the Hackberry Ramblers played a blend of Cajun music, western swing, Gulf Coast swamp pop, early rock and roll, and classic country. The band was cofounded by fiddler Luderin Darbone and multi-instrumentalist Edwin Duhon, the duo who led the group.  Beyond their remarkably long run, the Hackberry Ramblers are known for several important innovations. They were the first band to combine Cajun music, sung in French, with Anglo-American country music, sung in English; previously the two traditions were separate. Besides country music—especially the jazz-influenced country style known as western swing—the Hackberry Ramblers also played blues, traditional jazz standards, a wide range of miscellaneous popular songs, and novelty material. Whatever the genre, the band’s sole intent was to make people dance.1

Tu m'as quitté à la maison,

Oui, t'en aller, t'en aller,

T'en aller avec un autre,

Mais, ça sa fait pitié.

The Hackberry Ramblers are captured here in full flow giving a good indication of things to come.  Formed by fiddler Luderin Darbon in 1930 and the first Cajun band to use amplification, they favored pop and hillbilly tunes, but could easily knock out a French tune when required such as "Mermentan Stomp" (#2003).2   It was an ode to the small community of Mermentau, located 30 miles east of Hackberry, along the bayou of the same name.   The bayou was a safe haven for smugglers and even pirates along the Gulf.  It was named after an old 18th century Atakapa chief Nementou who sold land to Frenchman in the area.   Recorded for Bluebird records in 1936, the group contained Floyd Rainwater and Lennis Sonnier on guitars with Lennis on vocals, Johnny Puderer on bass, and Luderin Darbone on fiddle.

You have left me headed to your house,

Yeah, you've gone, you've gone,

You've gone away with another,

Well, that makes me pitiful.

1. https://www.knowlouisiana.org/entry/hackberry-ramblers/
2. http://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/caj_orig.htm

Release Info:
BS 02662-1 Jolie Blonde | Bluebird B-2003-A
BS 02664-1 Mermentan Stomp | Bluebird B-2003-B

Find:
Louisiana Cajun Music Volume 8: The Hackberry Ramblers - Early Recordings 1935-1948 (Old Timey, 1988)
Cajun Origins (Catfish, 2001)
Cajun Early Recordings (JSP, 2004)