Aldus Roger -"Oson Two Step"

Kate Webster remembered Miller's producing:
"When you go into J.D. Miller's studio you have to cut perfect records. He hears the least mistake, he seems to have microphones in his ears. Yes, he was a good producer."

J.D. Miller started his Cajun Classics label in 1959 starting with a release by Nathan Abshire. The Cajun Classics label offered many Cajun sounds, from the throwback sounds of Moise Robin to the cajun country of Jimmie Choates. Jay Miller was willing to record almost any kind of material as long as it had commercial potential. The more mainstream Cajun performances were popular. Terry Clement's "Les Filles Mexie" and Floyd Leblanc's "Roseland Two Step" were some of the best. Among some of the great recording artists on the Cajun Classics label was Aldus Roger.

Aldus Roger and the Lafayette Playboys set the standard for modern tradional Cajun  bands. He formed the band in the 1940's and always featured the best musicians. Aldus's playing was unlike other accordionists, his playing was loud and full force. He and his band had a devoted following among dancers and musicians.

Aldus was not new to the J.D. Miller studio. He had first recorded for Miller on his Feature label in 1954 and stopped in 1955. When Miller started recording country and blues, Aldus got lost in the shuffle. In 1958 he recorded again for Floyd Soileau's Vee Pee label and again in 1959 for Goldband. In 1960 returned to recording for Miller and his Cajun Classics label. His first release was "Oson Two Step" backed by "Family Waltz". Aldus was always known for having a tight band and this recording is no exception. Doc Guidry plays fiddle on the track with Phillip Alleman on steel guitar, Johnny Credeur on guitar, T-Man Abshire on bass and Fernest Abshire on drums.

The song is similar to Lawrence Walker's "Osson Two Step" which was recorded in 1956 and Pee Wee Broussard's "Creole Stomp" recorded in 1953. As for Aldus, he led his group for over twenty years. He brought Cajun music to a wider audience on his weekly television program on Channel 10 in Lafayette. They had a full hour on Saturdays to play. They weren't paid for the program, instead they used the show to advertise where they were playing that night. He would continue to play and record into the 1980's.


Resources
Early Cajun Music blog
John Broven- South To Louisiana