Amadie Breaux-"Hey Mom"

Between 1929 and 1934 the Breaux Brothers had a short recording career and together they recorded some of the earliest versions of Cajun music standards. After their 1934 session they did not record again commercially. 

In the late 1930's, J.D. Miller had played music with the Breaux's until he went into the service and got married. He started his Fais Do Do label in the late 1940's, eventually changing the name to Feature Records. By this time accordion music was making a comeback, so Miller convinced Amedie and Ophy to record for his label in 1953. They recorded a Mayuse LeFleur and Leo Soileau song and changed the name to "Hey Mom!". 




The song was originally recorded as "Mama Where You At?" by Mayuse and Leo in 1928 and Leo recorded it again in 1936 as "A Ute" for Decca Records. The original Feature pressing had a mix up with a Cleveland Mire session leading to Miller having to apply stickers to the Breaux release of "Hey Mom!".

The recording was made in Miller's studio in Crowley. Amadie and Ophy had recorded previously with Miller in 1950 and this 1953 recording would be the last one. The session itself has been up for debate among collectors and researchers, mainly due to the lack of info of the other performers on the recording. While we know Amedie and Ophy are present, the other musicians are unknown.

With the rise of independent record labels in the late 1950's and 1960's, Huey Meaux started his own label called Crazy Cajun. There he released recordings by The Rambling Aces, Clifton Chenier and Alex Broussard. Huey's father, Te-Tan, played the accordion and also had releases on Crazy Cajun as well. 

Huey's sister, Theresa, married Joe Falcon and played drums in his band. Huey even put out a 45 of Joe and his Silver String Band which included Theresa on drums from a live recording Chris Strachwitz made. The Falcon-Breaux connection continued with a release of a odd mix up of a Joe and Cleoma Columbia session backed with a Decca session. Huey released the Joe and Cleoma on Crazy Cajun 523 and Amedie's "Hey Mom!" on Crazy Cajun 522.

Oh mam, éyoù toi t'es?
Chère mam, j’aimerais te voir,
Une fois avant de mourir,
Chère mam, j'aimerais te voir yaille.

Oh mam, éyoù toi t'es?
Chère mam, j’aimerais te voir,
Une fois avant de mourir,
Chère mam, hé yé yaille. 

Oh mam, éyoù toi t'es?
Chère mam, j’aimerais voir,
Chere mam, éyoù toi t'es?
Chère mam, j'aimerais te voir yaille.

Huey's reissue of Amadie Breaux's "Hey Mom!" isn't a standard reissue by any means. Judging by the sound of the 45 rpm, it sounds like Huey held a microphone to the speaker while the 78 rpm played on a turntable. It was released in the mid 1960's and now has become a sought out 45 rpm. Later on in the 1970's Huey continued the Breaux connection by releasing records by Pat and Gary Breaux.

Resources
Early Cajun Music blog
Vermilion Today article