Accordion Dreams: A Journey into Cajun and Creole Music
"Blair Kilpatrick'sAccordion Dreams: A Journey into Cajun and Creole Musicmakes an important contribution to Louisiana Cajun and zydeco music and culture. Blair represents many working people who make music for serious fun. Accordion Dreams will resonate with anyone who has ever taken on the task of getting past their fears in order to learn a new skill, especially later in life. It is a detailed guidebook for those who have been standing on the edge of the dance floor waiting for a solid partner to lead them through the Cajun Two Step and into the culture. She deftly reveals the history of the music and its lineage of musicians in a simple, no-nonsense style of writing. Connoisseurs of folk music all over the world should have this book in their libraries."—Anne Galjour, author ofHurricaneandMauvais Temps"A lyrical, deeply felt, and beautifully rendered memoir of a mid-life love affair with Cajun music that ultimately transforms a psychologist's life, while enriching those of its readers."—Doreen Orion, author ofQueen of the Road"Kilpatrick's passion for Cajun and Creole music and culture, and her efforts to nurture it in places like Chicago and Berkeley, make me realize how much I take for granted living in south Louisiana. Her book is a great compliment to the Cajun and Creole people, and it provides a rare glimpse into the lives of those who play Cajun and Creole music even while residing far from the music's semitropical homeland."—Shane K. Bernard, author ofSwamp Pop: Cajun and Creole Rhythm and BluesandThe Cajuns: Americanization of a People